Top 10 LBs you arent talking about.

[The Ancient Enemy]

Just like with the Top 10 quarterbacks, there's a plethora of impressive linebacker talent that is not getting much hype. We all know that the little guy always gets the shaft, but there's a few little guys on these teams who aren't too little. Every kid on this list will get NFL consideration, and many of them will end up making a name for themselves in the pro league, whereas their efforts in college have gone largely unnoticed. When your favorite BCS team is playing one of these kids, and he's making tackles and impressing every one in the room, you can tell your friends "I told ya so."

DANIEL HOLTZCLAW: (Sr, Eastern Michigan, 6'1" 246) This preseason All-MAC selection is already on the Lombardi watch list... and with good reason. Holtzclaw is all over the field. In 2007, he tallied 125 tackles, had 2 INT's, and broke up 4 passes. Now if the Eagles can only get that offense moving... It is not easy to be an Eastern Michigan fan.

JOE HENDERSON: (Sr, UAB, 6'2" 220) There's not a whole lot of reasons for UAB fans to be excited this season, but one look at this kid is enough to have a little bit of hope. Henderson has been soaring graciously under every radar known to man. In 2007, Henderson was a 2nd team All-C-USA selection, had 5 sacks and 109 tackles, 4.5 of them for losses. The Blazers will need him to match those numbers, and then some.

JAKE HUTTON: (Sr, Utah State, 6'0" 236) When Jake Hutton leaves Utah State, Utah State won't know what to do with themselves. As a freshman, Hutton was the 1st freshman in school history to lead the team in tackles. He now begins his 4th year as a starter. In 2007, he was an All-WAC selection, gathered 102 tackles, 4.5 of which were for losses.

DEON HIGHTOWER: (Sr, Minnesota, 6'3" 215) Since 2000, Minnesota has had 6 different defensive coordinators. The 2007 coordinator, Everett Winters, bolted for North Carolina. Things have not been easy for the Gopher defense. But the new defensive coordinator, Ted Roof, has got the kids excited. One of them is Hightower, who is coming off offseason shoulder surgery. Last season, Hightower had 70 tackles, 9.5 which went for losses. In 2008, the Gophers are going to need him to step up even more.

SERGIO KINDLE: (Jr, Texas, 6'4" 239) Kindle left Woodrow Wilson HS in Dallas as a 5-star prospect, but injuries have kept his career from reaching its limit early. That may change in 2008, if he can stay healthy. Last year, Kindle had 32 tackles, 4 for losses. Texas brought in Will Muschamp as the new defensive coordinator, and Muschamp is a guy who has done marvelous things with his defenses. His track record also carries quite a few big-name LBs.

JOE PAWELEK: (Jr, Baylor, 6'3" 233) When Art Briles left Houston, he brought in the Penn State secondary coach Brian Norwood, to coach the defense. Norwood has switched the 4-2-5 defense to a 4-3, a formation that allows a defensive overseer. He inherited a good one in Pawelek, a kid who garnered 2nd team All-Big 12 honors in 2007. Pawelek had 99 tackles last season, 8 for losses, 2 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles.

QUAN STURDIVANT: (So, North Carolina, 6'2" 230) Sturdivant did not play LB in high school, but UNC is thanking God that the transition was a smooth one. He has had an excellent spring. As a freshman, Sturdivant tallied 47 tackles and 1 sack. There is not much tape on this kid as yet, but his upside is tremendous.

ZACK FOLLETT: (Sr, California, 6'1" 238) The grasping-for-straws mentality has officially hit Berkeley, as Tedford has switched his defenses to a 3-4 formation. I hate the 3-4. The coaches are hoping that the new scheme will allow Follett to rush off the edge. In 2007, Follett was All-Pac-10, had 65 tackles, 7 for losses. Even on a team that tailspinned, Follett still managed to get 5.5 sacks.

BANI GBADYU: (So, Penn State, 6’1” 221) The Nittany Lions have the luxury of being able to say they have what is possibly the best LB depth in the nation. That’s a big statement when you consider the loss of Connor to the NFL and Sean Lee to injury. The injury opened up doors for kids like Gbadyu and Josh Hull. Last year, Gbadyu tallied only 6 tackles, but his speed and athleticism has allowed him to beat out a plethora of great LBs for the starting spot.

MOTTY IVY: (Sr, West Virginia, 6'2" 236) Lord only knows how this WVU team will fare, after losing all those coaches and 3 of their top 4 offensive weapons. But the LB corps is impressive in Morgantown, and Ivy's performances has a lot to do with that. Last season, Ivy had 89 tackles, 11 tackles for losses, and 6 sacks. On top of that, his speed is impressive.

WARD DOBBS: (Sr, Wyoming, 6'0" 230) The Cowboys have the worst home uniforms in college football, and for that sole reason (yeah, right!) no one watches their games. But out there in the middle of nowhere, the Cowboys have themselves a nice little LB in Dobbs. The team's leading tackler in 2007, Dobbs had 98 tackles, 6 for losses, and was an honorable mention for all conference. The leader of the Wyoming defense, in this conference, has his work cut out for him in 2008.

FRANTZ JOSEPH: (Sr, Florida Atlantic, 6’1” 229) FAU has made a quantum leap since their football inception. They are already the top team in the Sun Belt, and much of that has to do with not only the coaches, but in the kids they recruit. FAU has done an excellent job in getting kids who are, sometimes foolishly, overlooked by the bigger programs. Joseph is no exception, and is already on the preseason lists for not only the Lombardi, but also the Butkus Award. In 2007, Joseph lead the team in tackles with 131, 12.5 for losses. He will duplicate his 2007 All-SBC honor in 2008.

BRYANT HAINES: (Sr, Ball State, 6’5” 223) The Ball State surge is not just offensive. A few years ago, the LB corps was the weak spot on the team. Now, with maturity, Haines leads an excellent set. Last season, Haines tallied 125 tackles, 9 tackles for losses, and was given 2nd team All-MAC honors. This 5th year senior will not be relegated to that same 2nd team in 2008. Haines is a natural leader and a great tackler.

RUSSELL ALLEN: (Sr, San Diego State, 6’3” 235) Like many of the kids on this list, San Diego State is another program which does not generally offer their fans much reason to get excited. But Allen has NFL size and speed, and is the best defensive player the school has had since Kirk Morrison was drafted a few years ago by the Raiders. Morrison, like Allen, swam in a sea of relative obscurity. Last year, Allen set a school record for tackles in a game, when he got 22 against conference rival Utah. For the season, the senior picked up 119 tackles, 5.5 for losses, and averaged 10.6 tackles in his conference games. This year, Allen starts as a preseason All-Mountain West selection.

GLENN COOK: (Sr, Miami, 6’0” 235) There might be a ton of youth on this Miami defense, but one of the old men is still holding down his starting spot. In 2007, Cook redshirted and didn’t play. But there is reason to be optimistic despite his vacancy. In 2006, Cook was responsible for 64 tackles, 4 for losses. With a new defensive coordinator in Miami, the kids are responding well. Cook is a very smart player who will contend for the rights to be the next great Hurricane LB.


Much like with the quarterbacks, it is the undercard that makes me excited for college football.

[deliverance]

TAE, when you posted this, the first thing I thought about was whether Kindle was listed or not. I can't wait for tomorrow. I hope Kindle smokes FAU's quarterback and knocks him out of the game.

[The Ancient Enemy]

Are you ready for the Owls to scare Texas?

[deliverance]

Yes. FAU has a quality quarterback and a good bit of experience back. It won't be an easy game for Texas. They should come out with a W, though.