ILBS

1) James Laurinaitis ILB 6'2 245 Ohio State
When A.J. Hawk left for the NFL, many were concerned over what would happen at the MLB
spot for the Buckeyes. While not taking anything away from Hawk, Laurinaitis has filled the bill.
He is one of if not the best cover ILB in the game. He has great speed and could play at any of
the LB spots. While the D-Line playing in front of him is somewhat raw, they're extremely
talented. Look for him to have a banner year.

2) Rey Maualaga ILB 6'2 252 USC
Regardless of whether we're talking about the inside or outside LB position, Maualaga may
be the most pure LB prospect in the nation. Blessed with great size and tenacity, he's a one
man wrecking crew. He embodies what a great MLB should be, as he's a great hitter and is
as fierce of a competitor as you'll find. However, he sometimes plays too erratic and over runs
lanes...probably won't time well in Indy.

3) *Brandon Spikes ILB 6'3 240 Florida
Even though Spikes is only a Junior, I'd put him up there with any LB in college today. He is
equally strong at covering both the run and pass. With well over 100 Tackles, and in the
double-digits for TFLs last year, Spikes showed that he can be a tackling machine. He also
had 7 PBUs which is impressive for an ILB. The Gators will be thinner than usual along the
D-Line, so Spikes will be on a ton of clean-up detail.

4) Dannell Ellerbe ILB 6'1 232 Georgia
Ellerbe may not be the biggest LB, but he has very good instincts and fills holes rather quickly.
Last season, he posted 11 TFLs and 11 QBHs, showcasing just how quickly he gets into the
backfield. He may not post a huge Tackle count, as he's playing next to a great LB in Curran.
But, he'll be seen flying all over the field and will be quite a disruption. The talent he plays
against is top notch.

5) Darry Beckwith ILB 6'1 235 LSU
LSU will once again be a dominant force on Defense. In fact, this has so much been the case
that it may negatively reflect on Beckwith's stats. LSU will have one of if not the best D-Line in
the nation. What does get by them, which won't be much, will be hauled in by Beckwith. While
the LB talk last year was around Highsmith, Beckwith is far better. He has sideline to sideline
to movement and can hit.

6) Scott McKillop ILB 6'2 240 Pittsburgh
Productive may be the best word one could use to describe this intense middle linebacker.
McKillop was a machine last season, posting 151 Tackles, 9 TFLs, 3 Sacks, and 7 PBUs.
He's a complete LB that can not only stuff the run, but can play the pass very well. While
ex-Panther H.B. Blades was solid at the position when he held it, this prospect is more
complete, better.

7) Jasper Brinkley ILB 6'2 270 South Carolina
Before Brinkley tore his ACL, he was an absolute beast. He came back and tried to play on it,
but clearly was not the same player. He's now had time to fully recover, so we'll see what
happens. While he's always been big for the position, he tipped the scales over the 270lb.
mark for Spring ball. If he can regain his pre-injury form, he'll be one of the SEC's elites. Time
will tell.

8) Dave Philistin ILB 6'2 231 Maryland
Having appeared in the last 36 games, Philistin is one of the most experienced LBs in the
ACC, if not the nation. He quietly came in 2nd place last season in team tackles with 124.
While it was Erin Henderson who received all of the attention last season, Philistin will
probably end up the better prospect. He has good speed and plays smart. If he can recover
from off-season shoulder surgery, he should have another great year.

9) Derek Nicholson ILB 6'2 234 Florida State
Nicholson led the FSU defense last season with 99 Tackles. With Geno Hayes off to the NFL,
expect that number to climb this year. Nicholson was looked upon as one of the best LB
prospects when he hit the college ranks in 2005. I believe he'll play to that form this season.
With question marks across the D-Line, he'll need to step up in a major way. He has as much
potential as any LB in the ACC.

10) Daniel Holtzclaw ILB 6'1 246 Eastern Michigan
Holtzclaw should be in the running for the MAC Defensive Player of the Year Award. He
stepped in as a Freshman to claim the starting MLB spot and has been there ever since. He
accumulated 125 Tackles last season and is pacing to end his college career with 450 or so.
He's an all-around LB who not only stuffs the run well, but plays the pass...good range. His
D-Line will stink, so he'll get a ton of action his way.

11) Joe Mortensen ILB 6'1 250 Kansas
Mortensen led the Jayhawks in both Tackles and TFLs last season with 106 and 15
respectively. He's a very intense player who is constantly around the ball. While he was used in
both an ILB and OLB capacity last year, he should be the main man in the middle in 2008.
Expect him to stand out in the BIG 12 this year, as he's blessed to have Mike Rivera manning
the SLB next to him.

12) Worrell Williams ILB 6'0 250 California
Williams finished second on his team last year with 105 Tackles. Considering the talent
around him, this speaks volumes. Cal may have one of the best LB squads in the nation this
year with Williams being flanked by Follett and Felder. Williams has been converted from an
OLB spot to the inside. He has the ability to play either very well. Williams is poised to have a
monster year.

13) *Ryan Reynolds 6'2 235 Oklahoma
Reynolds was a four-year letterman in High School, and was one of the top LB recruits to
come out in 2005. Unfortunately, he's had some serious injury issues. He had surgery on his
ACL in 2006, then his LCL in 2007. While his injuries are an issue, he still has loads of talent
and can flat out play. Since he's filling the huge hole Lofton left in the middle, this is the year he
has to not only stay healthy but be very productive.

14) Mike Rivera ILB 6'3 255 Kansas
While Rivera will being playing on the outside this year, I think he's better suited to play on the
inside. I very well may sing a different tune after the season closes though. Rivera is a heady
player who has a knack for being around the ball. While I have teammate Mortensen rated
higher at the moment, that could change. Posting 96 Tackles, 10.5 of which were TFLs, Rivera
is a force who can deliver a pop.

15) Antonio Appleby ILB 6'4 250 Virginia
Appleby is one of three very talented LBs on the Cavalier squad. Blessed with great size, he's
an all-around solid prospect. Like Sintim, he could be looked upon to play any LB spot in a 3-4
scheme. Because of the talent around him, he may not post gaudy numbers. He will get
enough looks though to show his ability. A 70+ Tackle season isn't out of the question, as
Chris Long is no longer around.

16) Maurice Crum ILB 6'0 235 Notre Dame
Crum is a solid prospect who comes to the table with a ton of experience under his belt. He's
been the starting MLB for the Irish over the past three seasons. Last season, he posted 84
Tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 2 Interceptions, and 5 PBUs. While this program has taken it's lumps over
the past few season, it hasn't been because of Crum. He should be the top tackle on this team
in what should be an improved season.

17) Ronnie Palmer ILB 6'3 240 Arizona
The Wildcats find themselves without the services out Spencer Larsen, their leading tackler
from last season. So, Palmer will have to step up even more so than he did last season. With
83 Tackles, he did his share of contributing. However, he now plays behind a new D-Line with
many spots for opponents to exploit. Look for Palmer to get tested early and often with lots of
action coming his way.

18) Reed Williams ILB 6'2 225 West Virginia
Williams led the Mountaineers in Tackles last season with 107. He's expected to lead the
team in this category again as a Senior. He's a very smart player who seldom finds himself out
of position to make the play. He also steps up big when his team leads him the most. He was
named the Tostito's Fiesta Bowl Defensive Player of the Game last year against Oklahoma,
where he notched 9 Tackles, 2 TFLs, and forced a fumble.

19) Jamar Chaney ILB 6'1 236 Mississippi State
Chaney was quietly one of the better LBs in the SEC last year, as he posted 89 Tackles for
his Bulldogs. He showed a lot of ability and poise with his 8 Tackles in a surprise win over
Auburn. With Titus Brown gone, Chaney will be looked upon to be the heart and soul of the
Defense. With all of the talent in the SEC, he'll need to have a banner year to stand out
amongst the crowd.

20) *Darryl Sharpton ILB 5'11 232 Miami
With Tavares Gooden off to the NFL, Sharpton will now have the starting ILB spot all to
himself. Showing great potential as a Freshman in 2006, Sharpton continues to improve and
show off his skills. While he is somewhat undersized, his solid play should allow him to
overcome. It would be wise of him to play out all of his years at Miami vs. declaring early. One
more year would make a big difference.

Other Considerations...
John Copper - Virginia, Rashad Bobino - Texas, Jason Phillips - TCU, Josh Mauga - Nevada,
Boris Lee - Troy, Adam Leonard - Hawaii, Joe Pawelek - Baylor, Boston McCornell - Western
Michigan, Jake Hutton - Utah State, Russell Allen - San Diego State, Brannon Jackson -
Louisiana Tech, Micah Johnson - Kentucky, Stanley Arnoux - Wake Forest