March 16, 2008

This year's group of linebackers doesn't have a day one pick such as Justin Durant of Hampton from last year or a player who blew away scouts at the combine. It does have solid players you can draft on day two that could be solid backups and role players for a long time to come.

There are several players who should be taken in the 4th-7th round range who will make a move from defensive end to linebacker, which means it will take some development to see many of these guys become solid NFL players at their new position

This group is headlined by Bryan Smith, Curtis Johnson, Kroy Biermann, and Steve Allen who all received invites to the Scouting Combine. There are several other potential NFL stars with Joe Mays, Ronnie McCullough, and Andy Studebaker all in this group as well.

Every year NFL scouts have a tough task to not only find linebackers who can run, hit, tackle, and cover but also figure out whether that player projects as an inside or outside linebacker.

We try to do that for you this week with the top inside and outside linebackers below:

TOP 3 SMALL SCHOOL OUT SIDE LINEBACKERS

1. Bryan Smith, McNeese State , 6023, 231lbs, 4.57 40

Smith finished his career as a two-time 1st team All-American and two-time Buck Buchanan Award Finalist. He was a sack master at McNeese State as he put up 24 sacks in his last two years. He earned consensus All-America honors in 2007 with 22.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. Outside linebacker is where most scouts project him due to his lack of height and bulk for defensive end in the NFL. Smith is very athletic and displays good explosiveness off the snap but lacks the strength to hold the line at the next level and has no experience at the linebacker position. He played in the 2008 Hula Bowl and did very well. His NFL grade is tough to gauge as people have him rated anywhere from the 4th to 7th round. He should come off the board sometime in the 5th-6th round range.

2. Curtis Johnson, Clark Atlanta , 6025, 242lbs, 4.64 40

Johnson wasn't considered a prospect by the NFL's scouting services last spring, however, his play in 2007 and the East-West Shrine Game opened the eyes of all 32 NFL teams and he earned an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine. This past year he finished as a consensus All-American with 13.5 sacks and 27 tackles for loss. Johnson is expected to make the move from end to linebacker and has the athleticism to do it. It will take some time before he is ready to contribute on more than special teams, however, he is a project worth taking on in the mid rounds. Johnson should come off the board in the 5th to 6th round range.

3. Kroy Biermann , Montana , 6027, 246lbs, 4.68 40

Biermann was very productive over his first three years with 11 sacks as a junior and 6 in the first two seasons as a backup. His 15 sacks and 5 forced fumbles as a senior won him the 2007 Buck Buchanan Award as he edged out another 2008 draft prospect Corey Lynch from Appalachian State. After playing defensive end in college he will have to move to outside linebacker because he lacks the size and strength to play defensive end in the NFL. Biermann got lost at times in games and didn't do much but seemed as if he turned in a big performance when it was needed. If you watch the Montana State game he was silent all game until helping force a much needed turnover late in the game. He is a quick rusher off the edge who is explosive and finds ways to force turnovers. The knock on him besides his size and level of competition is the fact he lacks the strength to hold up with linemen when he is engaged and some feel he could be maxed out on potential. Expect someone to take a shot at him in the later rounds or as a free agent.

TOP 3 SMALL SCHOOL INSIDE LINEBACKERS

1. Joe Mays, North Dakota State , 5110, 245lbs, 4.78 40

A three-time 1st team All-Great West selection, Joe Mays has been one of the top linebackers in the FCS over the last three years. He lacks size but is not afraid to take on blockers and will disrupt the play in the backfield all the time. He runs sideline to sideline very well and he is explosive. His size will make it tough to match up with the bigger receivers. He compares very favorably to London Fletcher. Most expect him to go undrafted but don't be surprised if he lands in the 5th-7th round range.

2. Ronnie McCullough, Bethune-Cookman, 5110, 229lbs, 4.74 40

McCullough transferred from South Florida after the 2005 season and became one of the top linebackers in the MEAC and the FCS. In 2007, he earned 1st team All-MEAC honors and was named the defensive player of the year. His play earned him an invite to the Texas vs. the Nation game where flashed some talent but lacks the bulk to get off blocks and is not strong enough for the NFL game yet. He is very undersized and lacks the elite speed to get drafted. Expect him to be brought in as an undrafted free agent.

3. Steve Allen , West T exas A&M, 6004, 236lbs, 4.73 40

Allen is probably the most talented of this group of inside linebackers, proven by him earning an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine, but brings a lot of off field baggage with him. He earned 1st team All-Lone Star Conference honors as a junior and senior after he transferred from Fresno City JC where he played both safety and linebacker. His character red flags have teams very worried and in today's age that will probably keep him from getting drafted. Athleticism, ability to read plays, and his explosiveness are his most attractive playing strengths but he lacks technique, the ability to get depth in pass coverage, and getting off blocks. If teams feel comfortable with his interviews from the combine and what they hear from his college coaches he could land in the late rounds but appears to be an undrafted free agent at this point.

Notables (inside and outside): OLB Andy Studebaker, Wheaton; OLB Shane Simmons, Western Washington; OLB Shaun Richardson, Tennessee State; ILB Zach East, Prairie View A&M; OLB/DE Vincent Redd, Liberty; ILB Derron Thomas, Duquesne; OLB James T erry, Youngstown State; OLB Shonda Faulkner, Indiana State; ILB Will Clewis, Central Oklahoma; OLB Chris Hemphill, Central Washington; OLB Anthony Adams, Grand Valley State; OLB Daniel Brooks, Jackson State; ILB Marquez Davis, Norfolk State; ILB Matt Robertson, NW Missouri State.

SMALL SCHOOL NEWS

Delta State DB Monterio James was found dead after committing suicide last week. Our condolences go out to his family, teammates, coaches, and the rest of the Delta State family. James was considered a late round prospect for the 2009 NFL Draft.

Dixie State O T Ryan Delrosal was recently named a senior for the 2008 season as most had him as a rising junior. He measured in at 6044, 296lbs for the T itans recently. He normally weighs in around 305 pounds but had the flu. Expect him to be over 300 this season. He could be a day two prospect for the 2009 NFL Draft.

2008 NFL DRAFT TOP 50

2009 TOP 25

Here is a look at the top 50 small school prospects for next year's NFL Draft:

Next Week: Defensive Backs