National Signing Day 2011: Where Are the Top 25 Linebackers Headed?

With National Signing Day just around the corner, we're going through every position to keep you up to date with the endless stream of commitments, de-commitments and visits all the way up to February 2.

Linebacker is a position stacked with top end talent and unlike other positions, there's still a good amount of talent still on the market. 

Check out where the top 25 linebackers are headed on National Signing Day. 

25. A.J. Johnson, Tennessee

Commitment: Tennessee

There's no denying Jackson's a top 25 linebacker 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, he 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. 

He committed to Tennessee back in September of 2010.

24. Tre Madden, USC

Commitment: 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 committed to USC in May of 2010. 

23. Branden Jackson

Commitment: 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. 

Jackson is looking at Texas Tech, Oregon, Iowa and Michigan State. The Red Raiders are looking like the team to beat at this point.

22. Lateek Townsend, Clemson

Commitment: Clemson

Townsend is a tackling machine, a playmaker who takes over games and makes things happen regardless of the situation. 

Whether he's rushing the passer, dropping back into coverage or setting the edge against the run, Townsend excels. But his technique is raw, and at 6'2" and 207 lbs, he needs to add some bulk to his frame. 

Townsend made a surprise commitment at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, choosing Clemson over South Carolina and LSU after telling reporters earlier in the day that it would be the Gamecocks. 

21. Jason Gibson, California

Commitment: California 

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. 

He was part of a big December haul for the Golden Bears along with 4-star defensive tackle Todd Barr.

20. Trevon Randle, LSU

Commitment: LSU

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.

A long-time pledge to the Tigers, Randle committed to LSU in February of 2010. 

19. Kendall Thompson, Texas

Commitment: 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. 

Another of Texas' huge February haul, Thompson committed to the Longhorns just under a year ago. 

18. Kellen Jones, Michigan

Commitment: 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 a pass-rushing specialist. 

A long-time soft verbal to the Wolverines, Jones made it solid in January. 

17. Ryan Shazier, Ohio State

Commitment: Ohio State

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. 

Originally committed to Florida, Shazier jumped ship after Urban Meyer resigned and shortly after committed to Ohio State.

16. Anthony Sarao, USC

Commitment: USC

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 linemen 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.

Originally committed to Stanford, Sarao had a change of heart in January and pledged to USC instead. 

15. Lamar Dawson

Commitment: Uncommitted

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. 

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. 

Dawson has been all over the place in his recruitment and plans on waiting until National Signing Day to make his decision. There's a lot of teams still in this one, but would we be crazy to think he'll end up at Central Florida? Probably. 

14. James Vaughters, Stanford

Commitment: 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.

A longtime Stanford commitment, Vaughters has been one of the Cardinal's headliners since June of 2010. 

13. Travis Hughes

Commitment: North Carolina 

Most schools are recruiting him to play linebacker, 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 in December.

12. Anthony Wallace

Commitment: 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.

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 of 2010.

11. C.J. Johnson, Mississippi

Commitment: Mississippi 

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.

Johnson went back and forth between Ole Miss and Mississippi State before eventually settling on the Rebels in January. 

10. Colt Lyerla, Oregon

Commitment: Oregon

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.

Lyerla committed to Oregon at the 2011 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

9. Lawrence Thomas, Michigan State

Commitment: 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 tackling 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.

A longtime Spartan commitment, Thomas has the chance to be the next Greg Jones.

8. Kris Frost, Auburn

Commitment: Auburn

Frost is a difficult prospect to gauge because of his size, 6'3" and 210 lbs. He has played primarily as a linebacker in high school, but has shown solid coverage skills and could be a good candidate to switch over to wide receiver at the next level. 

He is a turnover machine who has a knack for big plays and big hits, so do not be surprised if he makes the switch back to linebacker if things don't work out on the offensive side of the ball.

Frost announced his commitment to Auburn at the 2011 U.S. Army All-American Bowl in January. 

7. Brent Calloway, Auburn

Commitment: Auburn

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 is one of those guys.

He played defensive end and running back in high school, but he's better suited as a linebacker in college. It looks like he'll get his first crack at running back, though, and it's difficult to peg exactly how this one will turn out. 

Calloway was a longtime commitment to Alabama, but surprisingly de-committed before the 2011 U.S. Army All-American Bowl and later in the action committed to rival Auburn. 

6. Steve Edmond, Texas

Commitment: Texas

Edmond 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.

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

Another player from Texas' huge February haul, Edmond committed to the Longhorns almost a year ago. 

5. Stephone Anthony

Commitment: Uncommitted

Stephone Anthony is a natural pass-rusher with a knack for causing turnovers. There are not 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 will make something happen any given play.

Anthony plans on waiting until National Signing Day to commit and it looks like this North Carolina native is a Florida Gator all the way. 

4. Trey DePriest, Alabama

Commitment: 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 has a great motor and is excellent in pursuit; not many prospects can cover the field from sideline to sideline the way he can.

There were rumblings that DePriest and Ohio State commitment Braxton Miller would be a package deal for the Buckeyes, but DePriest committed to Alabama instead. 

3. James Wilder

Commitment: Florida State

Wilder can't be pegged at one position—he is more of an athlete with a skill-set best suited for the defensive side of the field—but arguably the best two-way player from the state of Florida insists on playing running back in college. 

That is where he will get his first shot and if it works out, he could be the big back coach Jimbo Fisher has been looking for. Wilder has off-the-charts strength and athleticism and can wear down a defense like a man amongst boys. 

Wilder committed to Florida State over Florida and Georgia in August. 

2. Tony Steward

Commitment: Uncommitted

At 6'2" and 225 lbs, Steward is one of the most physically imposing prospects in the country, though his stock has dropped a bit as of late.

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

Steward will wait until National Signing Day to announce his commitment and right now it's a coin toss between Florida State and Clemson. 

1. Curtis Grant

Commitment: 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.

One of the most coveted prospects in the nation, Grant will wait until National Signing Day to commit, but at this point it looks like a two-horse race between Ohio State and Florida.