2011 College Football Recruiting Rankings: The Top 25 Linebackers

As we begin the 2010 high school football season it's time to re-evaluate the talent of the 2011 recruiting class and hand out some new positional rankings. 

Based on performances throughout the summer in various camps around the country there's been some noticeable shifts in opinion from every recruiting outlet you'll come across. 

That's the nature of the business; sports are a show me now game, and when it comes to recruiting, there's no difference. 

We'll take a look at the top 25 of every position and keep you up to date with the biggest names to watch out for this year.

Here's the updated rankings for the top 25 linebackers of the 2011 class. Due to the varying opinions about which positions certain prospects will play, we'll be considering both inside and outside linebackers. 

25. Jake Keefer, Wisconsin

There's a divergence of opinion on the talent level of Wisconsin's Jake Keefer. He's a 4-star prospect ranked as the No. 10 outside linebacker on Rivals and a 3-star prospect ranked as the No. 43 outside linebacker on Scout.

After watching the film the jury is still out on Keefer on this end, but there's definitely a lot of potential. He plays mostly from a middle linebacker spot in high school, but spends a lot of time blitzing or dropping back into coverage. 

Those are the characteristics of an outside linebacker on the next level. 

Keefer has good instincts, a very nice burst off the ball, and good pursuit skills on the edges. He also can lay a licking on a ball-carrier in open space and has solid tackling form. 

24. Dexter Staley, Uncommitted

Staley could have a legitimate future on either side of the field. He plays both middle linebacker and running back in high school, but scouts see him as a defender at the next level. 

Though he played more of an offensive role than a defensive role in 2009, Staley has great instincts and reads an offense about as well as anyone. 

After totaling over 2,200 yards on offense and 35 touchdowns it seems like a shame to take Staley out of the backfield, but he's got the build and balance to really excel as a linebacker.

At 6'2" and 220 lbs he seems better suited for outside linebacker than remaining inside where he's spent most of his defensive minutes in high school.

23. Branden Jackson, Uncommitted

Jackson has played primarily at middle linebacker in high school, but most scouts see him as an outside linebacker at the next level. 

He's a very athletic prospect with great lateral movement skills and quickness; it's a perfect mix for the outside, be it setting the edge in run support, dropping back in coverage, or rushing the passer. 

He's instinctive, playing mostly off his natural abilities right now. That makes him a bit of a project, but the talent is definitely there. 

A solid tackler and good pass-rusher, once he can polish his game and bulk up, we could be looking at a dominant linebacker. 

22. A.J. Johnson, Tennessee

Johnson is another prospect the scouts disagree on, with Rivals ranking him as the No. 8 middle linebacker while Scout drops him all the way down to No. 22. 

There's no denying he's a top 25 linebacker though, and more importantly, he's one of the most versatile defenders in the class. 

At 6'3" and 227 lbs, he can play inside or outside, could develop into a defensive end, or even find a home at strong safety.

Johnson is aggressive, energetic, and hits with a ton of power. There are a few minor technique issues, but that can be sorted out with coaching. 

21. Kendall Thompson, Texas

At 6'2" and 235 lbs Thompson has a great natural build for middle linebacker and is a very strong and aggressive prospect. 

He hits hard and fast with great tackling technique. Thompson's instincts, speed, and physicality make him a really dangerous weapon in the middle of the field.

With solid pursuit skills and sideline-to-sideline ability, there's no denying he belongs inside. But there are issues as well. 

Thompson might be instinctive and fast, but he plays out of control too often and will over-pursue more than you'd like; that will get him into a lot of trouble at the next level if it's not corrected. 

20. Kellen Jones, Michigan

When you watch Kellen Jones play, one thing immediately stands out about the 6'1" and 210 lb prospect. 

He's incredible on the blitz; maybe the best of any linebacker in the class. Not only does he have a great burst off the snap, but his timing is amazing and body control getting to the quarterback is unteachable. 

Jones is a bit small for the next level though and will need to bulk up to continue his role as pass-rushing specialist. 

As good as he is in that role, Jones is also pretty one-dimensional. He's decent against the run, but a liability in pass coverage. 

19. Anthony Sarao, Stanford

Sarao might only be 6'1" and 201 lbs, but he's really well-built and plays bigger than he's listed. 

He can take on blocks from bigger offensive lineman without much struggles and has a really strong nose for the ball. Sarao does a solid job mapping the ball and staying with the play in traffic. 

For a prospect on the smaller side, Sarao is very strong and is a sure-handed tackler. When he gets both hands on a ball-carrier it usually spells the end of the play.

An underrated cover guy, Sarao has the speed and agility to drop into coverage as well, though it's not his strongest attribute. 

18. Tre Madden, USC

Madden is a two-way player in high school, starting at middle linebacker, logging time at outside linebacker, and taking snaps as a wildcat quarterback on offense. 

That should give you an idea of his athleticism and versatility. Madden has really quick feet and vision, a skill-set that helps him tremendously on both sides of the ball. 

A high energy guy, he can come up and stuff the run decently, but it's his pass coverage skills that are really impressive.

Madden will need to get better at shedding blockers in order to be effective in run support and could be a candidate to move over to safety or even cornerback. 

17. Ryan Shazier, Florida

A defensive end and tight end in high school, Shazier will likely make the transition to outside linebacker at the next level. 

He's a solid pass-rusher and has the instincts and athleticism to make the transition, though it could take some time for him to get a better grasp of things. 

Shazier is fast and really excels when he's let loose on the quarterback, but he's pretty good against the run as well. 

All that's left is for the Florida staff to get him up to speed when it comes to pass-coverage; right now his skill-set would keep him off the field on passing downs. 

16. Rob Hankins, Arizona

Hankins might be a little on the small side at 6'1" and a generous 218 lbs, but he's got middle linebacker written all over him. 

He's aggressive, tough as nails, and has great instincts, flowing to the ball all over the field and making plays in the backfield regularly.

The Texas native has dominated his high school competition for the last couple of years and is one of the fastest prospects at the position in the country.

Based on his versatility and skill-set, Hankins could play outside as well, but he's a pure gamer in the middle.

15. Lamar Dawson, Uncommitted

At 6'3" and 230 lbs, Dawson has ideal size for a middle linebacker, but it's his work ethic, aggressiveness, discipline and speed that really makes him an eye-popping talent. 

If he was better against the pass, Dawson would be right up there with the elite linebackers of the 2011 class.

He's got the linebacker mentality that you love to see in a prospect. He'll bulldoze his way through the offense to get to the ball-carrier, won't give up position or over-pursue, and best of all, will lay his body on the line and allow a teammate to make the play. 

14. James Vaughters, Stanford

Vaughters is the defensive headliner of Stanford's 2011 recruiting class and after watching him perform in 2009 and in camps this summer, it's easy to see why. 

At 6'2" and 233 lbs he's got the size to play middle linebacker or even get down in the dirt and play end, but he's also athletic enough to play on the outside or even make a switch to safety.

He's played at outside linebacker and inside linebacker, but most scouts see him as an inside presence at the next level.

Vaughters has great discipline and strength, but tends to get caught up by blockers too often and will need to work on that. 

14. C.J. Johnson, Mississippi State

C.J. Johnson is Scout's No. 10 middle linebacker and Rivals' No. 6 inside linebacker. With some prospects the label of inside and outside doesn't quite fit but with him there's no question.

Johnson is a middle linebacker.

He plays so well between the tackles and can hunt down a ball-carrier along the sidelines about as well as anyone. He's incredibly instinctive and reads blocks so well that he rarely gets caught up behind the play.

Right now Johnson isn't very strong though and often times if a lineman gets their hands on him it's difficult for him to get free. With some fine tuning of his technique and a few months in the weight room he'll be fine.

13. Trevon Randle, Louisiana State

Randle is a statistical monster who had 176 tackles, five sacks, three picks, four forced fumbles, and 14 touchdowns as a junior.

When you see numbers like that you have to pay attention. He takes over games with his playmaking ability and roams the field like a predator when he's chasing down ball carriers.

One of the best tacklers in the class and a player who has a great knack for turnovers, Randle will probably stand out as one of the best linebackers of the class when we look back on this in a few years.

That's why it's a bit hard to accept when a slow 40-time takes the 5-Star label from him.

12. Jason Gibson, Uncommitted

Gibson, like a couple other top 25 linebackers, plays defensive end in high school, but his future looks to be at outside linebacker where he rates as one of the nation's top prospects. 

Gibson has the size, athleticism, speed, and agility to be very successful at the next level. As a pass-rusher he's a real force on the edge, and if he gets a good burst off the line of scrimmage, there's no blocking him. 

At 6'2" and 210 lbs he's too small to stay in his role as a pass-rushing end at the next level, but if he can successfully make the transition to linebacker that might be a blessing in disguise. 

11. Colt Lyerla, Uncommitted

Lyerla plays both tight end and outside linebacker in high school, but his future looks like it'll be on the defensive side of the ball.

He's very athletic and displays some of the most fluid movements of any defender of his size in the country. 

At 6'5" and 225 lbs he moves like a wide receiver with the hitting ability and aggressive tendencies of a linebacker. 

It's a near-perfect combination of attributes for an outside linebacker who can either rush the passer or drop back in coverage depending on the down. 

10. Anthony Wallace, Uncommitted

Wallace is a perfect fit at middle linebacker. He's got prototypical size for the position and a great natural frame. 

He's a very smart player who can cover both the run and the pass extremely well, but his coverage skills are really what stand out.

Right now his technique is raw, but when he drops back the instincts are incredible. Watching him get free in pursuit is like watching a predator hunt. He zones in on the ball-carrier and just attacks him.

Wallace is one of those players that is always around the ball. Once he gets bigger he might end up being the best linebacker from the class. 

9. Travis Hughes, Uncommitted

Hughes is ranked as the fifth-best middle linebacker by Scout and seventh by Rivals.

That's where most schools are recruiting him to play, but there's still a distinct possibility that he could play on the offensive side of the ball. 

He's one of the rare prospects that has legit ability on both sides of the ball and very well may end up as a running back in college. 

Hughes's initial burst off the line of scrimmage and breakaway speed will help him excel regardless of where he plays. He's aggressive, hits hard, and craves contact. 

8. Trey DePriest, Alabama

DePriest has the natural build of a linebacker and a natural ability to read snap counts, get out of his stance quickly, and beat his man off the ball.

He's got a great motor and is excellent in pursuit; not many prospects can cover the field from sideline to sideline the way he can.

And look out for the big hit. DePriest can really put a licking on a ball-carrier in the open field.

He has a bad tendency to play high and gets away with it because of his strength, but that's going to get him in trouble at the next level. His tackling technique needs to be scrapped and proper form needs to be drilled into him by the coaching staff or there could be an issue there. 

7. Brent Calloway, Alabama

Calloway is a player that won't wow you in drills or in the weight room.

But the game film speaks for itself. Some guys are just gamers.He's one of those guys.

He plays defensive end in high school, but he's better suited as a linebacker in college.

Calloway is a versatile athlete, though, a high energy guy who led his team to a state championship last season by dominating quarterbacks and bulldozing defenses to the tune of over 1,400 yards rushing last season.

If you get past the scouting numbers, such as his slightly slow 40-time and lack of strength lifting, Calloway is a special player.

6. Steve Edmond, Texas

Edmond is a tackling machine who exploded for 184 tackles his junior year, with 34 of them coming for a loss.

He dominates all over the field and at his size, 6'3", 225 lbs, he can play inside or outside linebacker and potentially could bulk up a bit to play end. There are very few prospects as physically-ready as Edmond and probably no one in the nation who can tackle with as much consistency.

He reminds me a lot of Sergio Kindle when he rushes the passer, but he's a better tackler in open space and brings more to the table in run support.

A guy who tackles as well as Edmond has middle linebacker written all over him.

5. Stephone Anthony, Uncommitted

Stephone Anthony is a natural pass-rusher with a knack for causing turnovers.

There aren't many players who can make the ball come loose more often than this kid.

When he gets his hands on someone, there's a chance he'll make something happen any given play.

He plays with great instincts and is very athletic, attacking the ball with purpose and precision, and shedding blockers with impressive strength.

Anthony has the smarts and the skill to get on the field right away and will likely do that wherever he ends up.

4. Curtis Grant, Uncommitted

Grant plays like a professional, which is very impressive for someone his age.

He can play both inside and outside, reads plays and reacts very fast, and can cover a whole bunch of ground as quickly as any linebacker prospect out there.

There are very few players who can defend the field from sideline to sideline as well as Grant can.

At 6'2", 234 lbs, he has the size to play a number of positions. But because of his ability to get in the backfield, as well as cover, he's best suited to be an outside linebacker.

Grant has nearly 30 offers on the table, most notably from Alabama, Florida, LSU, Miami, Nebraska, Ohio State, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

3. Lawrence Thomas, Michigan State

At 6'3" and 236 lbs, Thomas presents a unique prospect with the size and speed to play a variety of positions. He can play defensive end, linebacker, safety, and even receiver.

He's projected as a defender on the next level mostly because it would be a shame to let his ball hawking and punishing tacking go to waste.

Look for him to find a home as an outside linebacker who can drop into coverage or cause havoc in the backfield depending on the down.

Thomas just might be the best linebacker of the 2011 class and has the chance to be the next Greg Jones for the Spartans.

2. Tony Steward, Uncommitted

At 6'2" and 225 lbs, Steward is one of the most physically imposing prospects in the country.

The kid is built like a body builder, with hardly an ounce of fat. He's incredibly strong and is one of the most athletic prospects in the country at any position, let alone linebacker.

Based on the way he's built, and his natural ability to sniff out the football, Steward is likely to make a big impact as a freshman.

What's most impressive about his game is his ability to get out in open space and cover a ton of ground in pass protection.

1. James Wilder, Florida State

James Wilder has off the charts strength and, pound for pound, is probably the strongest prospect in the country.

He's a two-way player who projects as a running back, linebacker or defensive end.

He's a leader on and off the field and plays hard every down.

Wilder seems best suited to play defense. He's a ball hawk with great instincts, and could do a lot of damage as a pass rushing outside linebacker/defensive end hybrid—but he insists he wants to play running back.

That's where the Seminoles plan to use him, letting Wilder fill the role as the team's big, bruising back. If it doesn't work out, he can always switch back to the defensive side.