Hardcore Headbangers: James Laurinaitis or Rey Maualuga Best Linebacker in 2008?

While quarterbacks may be the face of football, linebackers are truly the heart and soul that powers a team. Linebackers are the centerpieces of the defense—and while their offensive counterparts get all the glory, linebackers do all of the dirty work necessary to win championships. 

The 2008 season is setting up to be a special one with serious depth and talent at the linebacker position across the country. Brandon Spikes, Brian Cushing, Davie Philistin, and Darry Beckwith are set to have some special seasons flying around to the ball. 

At least six linebackers are playing for first round money, and the best two of the bunch are Ohio State's James Laurinaitis and USC's Rey Maualuga. 

Maualuga and Laurinaitis are both quality linebackers anchoring supremely talented defenses of true title contenders. Only one of them can ultimately be considered the best backer in college football going into 2008.

Rey Maualuga (6'3", 250 lbs)

The "Sting Rey" is a punishing linebacker that evokes thoughts of Junior Seau flying around the Coliseum. Maualuga truly epitomizes a Mike linebacker—he plugs the middle, not only takes on but also sheds blockers with ease, and plays almost exclusively downhill.

Maualuga recorded 79 tackles in 2007, 10.5 for loss. Although the number seems low for the mike backer of a top tier program, it must be noted that he split tackles with 2008 first round pick Keith Rivers, and 2009 probable first rounder Brian Cushing. 

Rey gets his tackles in the flow, but also does a tremendous job of hammering and splattering plays to his weakside and strongside help.

Maualuga's biggest strengths lie in his ability to stop the run. He plays well laterally but excels flying into the line hitting fullbacks, tackling ball carriers, and disrupting plays at or behind the line. Rey diagnoses the run very well—he flies to the point of contact and collides with the ball carrier.

While he is incredible at stopping the run, he is lacking in his pass covering abilities. Maualuga's problem isn't speed in coverage as much as it is his inability to recognize play action pass and recover. 

He's so intensely focused on getting downhill for the run that he often gets to the line before he identifies the pass. Once back into coverage he has adequate skills to play zone but lacks the flexibility to be consistently successful in man to man.

James Laurinaitis (6'3", 242 lbs)

While Maualuga splits tackles with two stellar mates, James Laurinaitis has been given carte blanche under Tressell to do as he pleases. The "Little Animal" lines up at traditional linebacker depth, but also aligns on the edge and at the line of scrimmage. 

This free form style perfectly accents the biggest positive of Laurinaitis—his lateral speed. James is a monster sideline to sideline who is hands down the best rundown defender in the country. He's got a stellar nose for the ball that manifests itself in his 121 tackle total in 2007.

Laurinaitis' speed not only aids in his sideline to sideline movement but it also gives him a leg up in pass coverage. 

The experienced senior is more than adept at covering backs, tight ends, and slot receivers down and across the field. He possesses the unique body control needed to not only take away passes by positioning but also to make the interception. 

As great as Laurinaitis is at using his speed, he is highly vulnerable in the running game. 

Running fullbacks and guards at the linebacker neutralizes him as he struggles to take on and defeat blocks. His game is largely predicated on avoiding blockers and running down plays from the inside out, not plugging holes and disrupting plays.

The Verdict

Rey Maualuga is one of the best pure linebackers in the college ranks, similar in talent and skill to Andy Katzenmoyer and Dan Morgan. James Laurinaitis is a new prototype of linebacker, a Brian Urlacher type who can play the pass as well as the run. 

Their contrasting styles highlight two very different schools of thought: The pure linebacker—whose job is to stop the run and blow up blockers—or the versatile backer, who can line up inside or out and get up and down the field. 

While I'd rather have Rey Maualuga on my team and use substitions to get my nickel and dime packages in for passing downs, in the world of college football today, James Laurinaitis is the better choice. 

Laurinaitis' speed and ability to play all over the field, coupled with his nose for the ball and success in the Tampa two, make him an every down player. These skills are what make him the best linebacker in college football today.