College Football Recruiting 2013: Preseason Power Ranking Top 10 LB Prospects

This week we are looking at defense for our preseason power rankings, and Monday came the defensive linemen. We ranked the top 10 defensive trench players in the country, and now come the second-level defenders.

Linebackers are said to be becoming extinct due to spread offenses and more installations of nickel and dime defenses on early downs. I disagree, and these next 10 linebackers will certainly help prove my point. 

There are all kind of 'backers in this recruiting class, from run-stuffers to flank-hawkers to coverage linebackers and more. Here are the top 10 linebackers in the nation for 2013.

10. Dorian O'Daniel

O'Daniel is from the Mid-Atlantic region and the state of Maryland. He's not big on the hoof at 6'1" and 205 pounds, but he has the speed and athleticism to make up for his lack of size.

O'Daniel quickly reads plays and processes information well. He then is decisive to beat bigger OLs to spots on the field, meet ball-carriers and make tackles versus the run. O'Daniel shows the potential and athleticism to develop into a solid cover defender as well.

He's headed to Clemson.

9. Alex Anzalone

Anzalone is a linebacker who plays with good toughness and deceptive athleticism. He stands at 6'3" and 225 pounds, and has good instincts, strength and agility.

Anzalone can play ILB or OLB in any scheme and is a football player through and through. Whether he it's an outside 'backer on the flanks in its 3-4 scheme or inside stacking versus the run, look for Anzalone to be starter and standout for Notre Dame. 

8. Matt Rolin

Rolin is as scheme-versatile as they come. The Virginia native is a 6'4", 210 pounds and plays tough, physical and nasty for his Virginia high school squad.

Rolin also has the athleticism and speed to play on the outside and even has some tape as a DE. He can stack the run with good point-of-attack strength and shedding ability. Rolin also has solid zone coverage skills versus the pass, where he flashes good ball skills.

He is committed to South Carolina. 

7. Larenz Bryant

Bryant is a 6'2", 210-pound North Carolina native who can get from sideline to sideline with speed. He's very agile and athletic in space, but he also will come up square to attack the line of scrimmage.

Bryant can play the Sam in a 4-3 or as a Will, and he'll more than hold his own. He's destined to be a great SEC LB, and that likely will be on the outside for South Carolina. 

6. Michael Hutchings

Hutchings is a 6'1", 210-pounder from Northern California who has good range, solid speed, instincts, athleticism and tenacity. He can play inside on the high school level, but I think he has the classic skill set of a Sam 'backer in a 4-3 scheme.

Hutchings, who's committed to USC, has good strength to attack a blocker and carrier in run alleys, but he works at his best on the flanks.

In fact, don't be shocked to see Hutchings perhaps become a strong safety in Troy. 

5. Daniel McMillan

McMillan can play multiple roles, but I like him best in the middle at Mike. He's 6'2", 220 pounds and has a frame that easily could tack on another 15 pounds in college.

A solidly instinctive second-level defender, the Florida native can come up and tag a ball-carrier with a quick first step versus the run. He has the speed to get outside the box to enforce on the flanks while also developing potential in coverage.

His hips appear to be loose, and McMillan can turn and run with TEs up the seams well. He's committed to Florida. 

4. Mike Mitchell

Mitchell is rising up my board, and he capped off a great offseason with a fantastic showing at The Opening in July. He's just about 6'4" and weighs 215 pounds, hailing from Texas.

A very good athlete, Mitchell has a long frame that has great strength to anchor in run alleys versus blockers, shed and make thumping tackles versus run. Then he also shows the play speed, instincts, athletic ability and lateral quickness to factor as a coverage defender versus the pass.

I think he can play all three spots in the 4-3 and ILB in a 3-4 if asked. Scout.com shows Florida State, Ohio State and Texas A&M as his top suitors. 

3. Jaylon Smith

Smith is the best coverage linebacker in the country, period. The 6'3", 220-pounder is from Indiana and can really cover TEs, RBs and even WRs well.

His skill set was on full display at The Opening, especially during the 7-on-7 games. Smith can turn and run, mirror and even use lateral quickness to latch onto a pass-catcher at the junction point.

Smith has good instincts and also can play the run, but he needs to work on his strength and ability to shed massive blockers to make tackles. Committed to Notre Dame, once Smith adds more strength he will be a three-down 'backer.

2. Matthew Thomas

Thomas is an excellent defender whom I would love to have on my football team. He's out of the Miami area and goes in the 6'3", 210-pound range.

A speedy and athletic OLB, Thomas can play the Sam or Will as an OLB in the 4-3, or even the Jack position as a pass-rushing-type edge player in a 3-4 scheme. Thomas can chase down from the backside and plays well in pursuit.

In the passing game, I like him best attacking the pocket and getting after the QB. He blitzes well and can get off the ball quickly on the edges, showing great pass-rush potential.

Scout.com reports Alabama, USC and Florida State will get visits, and I also advise to look for Georgia, Miami and Louisville to be in the mix. 

1. Reuben Foster

Foster's size maxes out at right about 6'2" and nearly 250 pounds. He's from Georgia, but goes to high school in Auburn, Ala.

With his size, strength, quickness, instincts, ball vision, shedding ability, point-of-attack stoutness, speed, range and playmaking ability, Foster may be the best LB prospect in the modern recruiting era.

He's super productive, talented, big, fast and is a potential plug-and-play prospect. I expect Foster to be an impact Mike 'backer at Auburn and to become an All-American before he gets to the NFL.

Edwin Weathersby has worked in scouting/player personnel departments for three professional football teams, including the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Gladiators of the Arena League. He spent a year evaluating prep prospects and writing specific recruiting and scouting content articles for Student Sports Football (now ESPN Rise-HS).

A syndicated scout and writer, he's also contributed to WeAreSC.com, GatorBait.net and Diamonds in the Rough Inc., a college football and NFL draft magazine.