College Football Recruiting 2011: Where Are The Top 10 Linebackers Headed?

As we wrap up the 2011 college football recruiting season, we'll be breaking down the top talent at every position on the field and telling you where all of the nation's most prized recruits are headed. And we'll start with one of the most high-profile positions of them all.

Check out where this year's top 10 linebackers will be playing college football in 2011.

10. Anthony Wallace, Oregon

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.

He committed to Oregon in November. 

9. Travis Hughes, North Carolina

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' 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. 

Hughes is the most recent commitment from North Carolina's recruiting class, joining the Tar Heels earlier this month. 

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. 

DePriest committed to Alabama back in July. 

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.

Calloway was Alabama's second commitment, joining the Tide way back in June of 2009. 

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.

Edmond committed to Texas in February. 

5. Stephone Anthony

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.

Right now it looks like Anthony's top choices are Florida, North Carolina, NC State and Virginia Tech. 

4. Curtis Grant

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.

Florida was long considered Grant's favorite, but after a recent visit to Ohio State it looks like the Buckeyes are his top choice for the moment. 

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

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.

Steward is waiting until National Signing Day to commit. His top two choices are Florida State and Clemson. 

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.