Category rankings: Linebackers
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The Rivals.com recruiting experts have broken down countless hours of film and racked up plenty of frequent flyer miles to see the top prospects compete at events across the country. In the process of evaluating overall talent, several prospects gained notice for their mastery of specific skills.
We've selected the best of the best in each category for every position and ranked them. Rivals.com recruiting analyst Barry Every breaks down the linebackers.
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BEST INSTINCTS
5. TOM WORT, New Braunfels (Texas) High
Wort highlightsClick Here to view this Link.
COMMITMENT: Oklahoma
PARTICULARS: 6-1/210
THE BUZZ: You can't rack up the number of tackles he has made in the past two seasons without knowing where the ball is at all times.
Minter highlightsClick 4. KEVIN MINTER, Suwanee (Ga.) Peachtree Ridge Here to view this Link.
COMMITMENT: LSU
PARTICULARS: 6-0/231
THE BUZZ: His personal trainers work with NFL players, and it shows in Minter's game.
Johnson highlightsClick 3. NICO JOHNSON, Andalusia (Ala.) High Here to view this Link.
PARTICULARS: 6-3/226
THE BUZZ: Has that knack for knowing which way the ball is going on all running plays.
Burfict highlightsClick 2. VONTAZE BURFICT, Corona (Calif.) Centennial Here to view this Link.
COMMITMENT: USC
PARTICULARS: 6-2/244
THE BUZZ: Looks good against the run and pass. He also pursues all over the field.
Te'o highlightsClick 1. MANTI TE'O, Honolulu Punahou School Here to view this Link.
PARTICULARS: 6-2/230
THE BUZZ: Has the ability to decipher "run or pass?" in an instant.
OTHERS: Lamin Barrow, Marrero (La.) John Ehret; Larvez Mars, Apopka (Fla.) High; Chris Norman, Detroit Renaissance (Michigan State commitment); Marquis Simmons, Compton (Calif.) Dominguez (USC commitment); Jordan Whiting, Louisville Trinity (Ohio State commitment).
BEST RUN STOPPER
5. GLENN CARSON, Manahawkin (N.J.) Southern Regional
Carson highlightsClick Here to view this Link.
PARTICULARS: 6-3/220
THE BUZZ: He uses his long arms to shed blockers and make a bunch of tackles near the line of scrimmage.
Calabrese highlightsClick 4. CARLO CALABRESE, Verona (N.J.) High Here to view this Link.
COMMITMENT: Notre Dame
PARTICULARS: 6-2/225
THE BUZZ: A huge linebacker who either sheds blocks or blows up the lead blocker.
Erno highlightsClick 3. TREVOR ERNO, Lakewood (Calif.) High Here to view this Link.
COMMITMENT: Arizona
PARTICULARS: 6-1/225
THE BUZZ: Has the ability to slide off blockers and clog up the middle.
Te'o highlightsClick 2. MANTI TE'O, Honolulu Punahou School Here to view this Link.
PARTICULARS: 6-2/230
THE BUZZ: Whether he is blitzing from the edge or smashing the lead blocker, he looks good.
Askew highlightsClick 1. JEROD ASKEW, Chesapeake (Va.) Oscar Smith Here to view this Link.
PARTICULARS: 6-1/230
THE BUZZ: Uses his huge frame and athleticism to blow up running plays.
OTHERS: Jon Bostic, Wellington (Fla.) Palm Beach Central; Nico Johnson, Andalusia (Ala.) High; Jarvis Jones, Columbus (Ga.) Carver; Jordan Whiting, Louisville Trinity (Ohio State commitment); Chris Williams, Abilene (Texas) High.
BEST CLOSING SPEED
Bell highlightsClick 5. DORIAN BELL, Monroeville (Pa.) Gateway Here to view this Link.
COMMITMENT: Ohio State
PARTICULARS: 6-0/226
THE BUZZ: So fast coming off the edge that he catches a lot of plays from the back side.
Mingo highlightsClick 4. BARKEVIOUS MINGO, West Monroe (La.) High Here to view this Link.
PARTICULARS: 6-5/209
THE BUZZ: Really ate up ground at the Baton Rouge Nike Camp in pass coverage.
Skov highlightsClick 3. SHAYNE SKOV, Pawling (N.Y.) Trinity-Pawling School Here to view this Link.
COMMITMENT: Stanford
PARTICULARS: 6-3/225
THE BUZZ: This projected linebacker actually plays defensive back, and has the speed and skills to do so.
Lewis highlightsClick 2. RONNELL LEWIS, Dewar (Okla.) High Here to view this Link.
COMMITMENT: Oklahoma
PARTICULARS: 6-3/220
THE BUZZ: Uses his 100-meter track experience to help close the gap.
Jenkins highlightsClick 1. JELANI JENKINS, Wheaton (Md.) Our Lady of Good Counsel Here to view this Link.
PARTICULARS: 6-1/212
THE BUZZ: Will pursue everything with his 4.45 speed.
OTHERS: Vontaze Burfict, Corona (Calif.) Centennial; Larvez Mars, Apopka (Fla.) High; Chris Norman, Detroit Renaissance (Michigan State commitment); Marquis Simmons, Compton (Calif.) Dominguez (USC commitment); Frankie Telfort, Miami Gulliver Prep.
BEST ATHLETE
Mingo highlightsClick 5. BARKEVIOUS MINGO, West Monroe (La.) High Here to view this Link.
PARTICULARS: 6-5/209
THE BUZZ: Basketball star-turned-defensive monster wreaks havoc off the edge.
4. JELANI JENKINS, Wheaton (Md.) Our Lady of Good Counsel
Jenkins highlightsClick Here to view this Link.
PARTICULARS: 6-1/212
THE BUZZ: This speed linebacker also gets to carry the ball on a regular basis.
3. RONNELL LEWIS, Dewar (Okla.) High
Lewis highlightsClick Here to view this Link.
COMMITMENT: Oklahoma
PARTICULARS: 6-3/220
THE BUZZ: Plays a little of everything on the football field and excels in track.
Jones highlightsClick 2. Jarvis Jones, Columbus (Ga.) Carver Here to view this Link.
PARTICULARS: 6-3/205
THE BUZZ: He was a member of state championship football and basketball teams this past season.
1. SHAYNE SKOV, Pawling (N.Y.) Trinity-Pawling School
Skov highlightsClick Here to view this Link.
COMMITMENT: Stanford
PARTICULARS: 6-3/225
THE BUZZ: An all-around athlete who plays almost every position for his high school team and really excelled in coverage at State College Nike Camp.
OTHERS: Dorian Bell, Monroeville (Pa.) Gateway (Ohio State commitment); Vontaze Burfict, Corona (Calif.) Centennial; Dan Fox, Cleveland St. Ignatius (Notre Dame commitment); Marquis Simmons, Compton (Calif.) Dominguez (USC commitment); Manti Te'o, Honolulu Punahou School.
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