National Signing Day 2012: Tracking the Top 25 Linebacker Prospects

From the MIKE, to the SAM, to the WILL, to the 3-4 LB positions, we have all kinds of linebacker prospects in this year's class.

This is a talented group of second-level defenders, and I'm just going to give you the latest on their recruitment. Nothing too long and pronounced, just cut and dry.

Let's see what's up with the top 25 linebacker prospects.

25. Aaron Porter (UCLA)

Porter is headed to UCLA and will likely become a leader of the defense soon enough. He's 6'2", 230 pounds and plays with good strength and toughness.

24. Dalton Santos (Texas)

UPDATE: Santos has committed to Texas.

Santos was pledged to Oklahoma State, and he's a bit of a soft verbal to Tennessee. The latest with him is that he is tripping to Texas this weekend.

23. Butch Pauu (BYU)

Pauu's underrated, even by me. He's productive to the extreme, tough and gritty. Instinctively, Pauu is headed to BYU, where he should be solid in Provo.

22. Scott Starr (USC)

At 6'3", 205 pounds, Starr may give USC another Clay Matthews-type of LB. He's good off the edge and strong at the point.

21. Quanzell Lambert (Rutgers)

Lambert had some strong quotes about Rutgers last week, but I wonder if the news of Greg Schiano heading to the Bucs is going to deter his affection for the Scarlet Knights. Stay tuned.

20. Brian Nance (Baylor)

Nance chose Baylor over UCLA and Arkansas. The Hogs and Bruins won't stop until the LOI is faxed to Waco, but I think he sticks with Baylor.

19. Cassanova McKinzy (Auburn)

The latest with McKinzy is that he is committed to Auburn, but Clemson hosted him for a visit last weekend. Dabo Swinney also visited him at home on Tuesday night. Auburn could be a tad nervous.

18. Kaleb Ringer (Michigan)

Ringer had a dream and called Michigan "sacred" early in the process. No change here, he's solidly a Wolverine and will wreak some havoc as an LB for Big Blue.

17. Beniquez Brown (Uncommitted)

Brown is down to four schools in the likes of Ole Miss, Auburn, Mississippi State and Tennessee. He likely will trip to Auburn this weekend, then will make a decision on National Signing Day. 

16. Josh Perry (Ohio State)

Perry is a lock to sign with Ohio State next Wednesday. He's all Buckeye, folks, no change to his tracker. 

15. Deaysean Rippy (Pitt)

UPDATE: Committed to Pitt.

The latest with Rippy is he has narrowed it down with three schools on his mind: Arizona, Pitt and West Virginia. He will begin the final decision-making process this weekend and sign with the chosen school on NSD.

14. Joe Bolden (Michigan)

Bolden lit up the UA Game practices and there's no change to his tracker. He's headed to Michigan. Period.

13. Peter Jinkens (Texas)

No change in Jinkens' tracker. He tripped to Austin last weekend and it solidified his pledge as strong as oak. 

12. Kaiwan Lewis (South Carolina)

Lewis visited Columbia earlier this month and his commitment is solid. The Gamecocks are getting a ferocious hitter.

11. Dillon Lee (Alabama)

Georgia tried their hardest to get Lee away from Alabama, but in the end, he's headed for Tuscaloosa. Lee has enrolled early and is ready to get going for the Tide.

10. Josh Harvey-Clemons (Georgia)

UPDATE: Harvey-Clemons has committed to Georgia.

I had last thought Florida and Georgia were the prime two for JHC, but it appears a recent trip to Florida State has gotten them back in the mix. Alabama also is still lurking.

9. Elijah Shumate (Notre Dame)

Shumate has no change, he's headed for Notre Dame and is solid in his commitment. He'll sign on NSD.

8. Noor Davis (Stanford)

Davis is all Cardinal. Just read this link here and you'll see for yourself...

7. James Ross (Michigan)

Big, thickly built and rugged, Ross is headed to Michigan. He's one of the great quartet of linebackers Big Blue will sign next week. 

6. Royce Jenkins-Stone (Michigan)

RJC can bring the wood at the point of attack, thump well as a tackler and even be an efficient blitzer. No change, he's going to Michigan as well. 

5. Ifeadi Odenigbo (Northwestern)

Odenigbo clearly values academics with schools like Stanford, Cal, Notre Dame and Northwestern offering scholarships. However, after a thorough process, he chose Northwestern and is set to sign next week.

4. Eli Harold (Virginia)

Harold is headed to Virginia and is probably the headliner for Mike London's 2012 class. No change in his tracker. 

3. Jabari Ruffin (USC)

Ruffin visited USC earlier this month and is completely sold and solid to Troy. He's all in and had a great trip. USC has another incoming top-tier LB.

2. Reggie Ragland (Alabama)

If you've followed me through this cycle, you know I dig Ragland. He's big, athletic, physical and instinctive. He fits in 'Bama's defensive scheme perfectly.

1. Kwon Alexander (LSU)

UPDATE: Alexander has committed to LSU live on ESPNU. More reaction to follow.

The latest on Alexander is that he has LSU, Alabama and Auburn on his trail the hardest. Florida State is also lurking, and he'll make his announcement on NSD.