College Football Recruiting 2012: Ranking the Top 10 Linebackers

We come to the linebackers in our 2012 positional previews and rankings. The group looks solid, with a nice blend of inside and outside type second level defenders.

In college football today, linebackers are being asked to do more and more in regards to playing in space since these are pass happy times in offensive football.

We still have more evaluating to do and information to gather, but here are 10 linebackers that we really like so far.

10. Brian Nance

Nance is the epitome of a tackling machine, the productive linebacker that every defense needs. He had over 170 tackles last season playing in a solidly competitive league in Texas.

6'3", 210 pounds, he'll be big enough to man the MIKE spot in college, yet he's still athletic enough to flank either outside spot. He challenges ball carriers at the line of scrimmage head on, yet still has the range to track everything sideline to sideline.

He already has offers from USC, Notre Dame and Oklahoma.

9. Kwontie Moore

Moore is a 6'2", 235 pound linebacker who some Virginians claim is better than Curtis Grant. He had over 150 tackles last year and is a force in the middle.

He plays with a physicality in his game due to his size and strength. He explodes in his take on at the point and wraps up in his tackles. Moore can also factor as a SAM linebacker and menace tight ends by jamming their releases at the line.

He has offers from Virginia, North Carolina, Virginia Tech and UConn.

8. Timmy Cole

Cole is a 6'2", 215 pounder who wreaks havoc on the field. He has solid speed and range to make tackles in various spots, can chase well and also has athleticism to drop in coverage.

He could develop into a solid WILL type linebacker if he's kept clean and allowed to roam and chase free through traffic, can make play after play on the second level and behind the line of scrimmage for loses.

Nebraska, Baylor, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Virginia and TCU have all offered. 

7. Trey Granier

6'1", 230 pounds, Granier has the skill set that fits in all three spots of a 4-3 alignment. He's smart and instinctive to play MIKE, fast enough to chase at WILL and stout enough to play SAM.

Wherever he ends up, as his trend projects, he will be uber-productive. He could finish his high school career with over 300 tackles before he's done. I really look forward to seeing how he performs in the camps and combines circuit this offseason.

Granier has ended his recruitment and committed to play for the LSU Tigers.

6. Josh Perry

Perry is a big, strong linebacker at 6'4", 230 pounds. He has the prototypical size to play the strong side spot or inside in a 3-4. Yet Perry also can get after the passer a bit as a blitzer.

He moves around pretty solidly for a big man, and I'd like to see how he covers in space, but he plays effectively and big at the point in straight ahead take-ons. His size really allows him to hold his own to shed and escape offensive linemen.

Perry was Ohio State's first 2012 commit.

5. Deysean Rippy

Rippy really has the ability to be a menace to an offense like a mini version of a JACK linebacker. He can rush the passer, drop in coverage, play the run and be moved all over the place to exploit match ups and his athleticism.

6'2", 200 pounds, he has great production, instincts and all around ability. Rippy is also athletic enough to where some say he could possible be moved back to strong safety.

USC, Alabama, Florida, Ohio State, Penn State, Pitt, Syracuse, West Virginia, Maryland and Colorado are all under consideration.

4. James Ross

Ross stands a compact 6'0", 210 pounds. He is known for leaving it out on the field. Ross reads and reacts to run extremely quickly and plays very instinctive.

He has a very good short area burst to close and finish on ball carriers after he flies up to plug run alleys. He has great speed in pursuit on perimeter runs and can be effective in coverage.

He holds offers from Michigan, Pitt, Michigan State, Arizona State and Purdue thus far.

3. Derek David

David will fight for top linebacker in Texas honors all cycle and right now holds the title. He's a 6'2", 235 pound monster that reads his keys, challenges ball carriers at the line and makes stop after stop.

He mans the inside mainly and looks like a future all conference player at MIKE. He doesn't need to be kept clean, as he can slip blocks with strength and quickness at anytime. He's been competing on the varsity level since his freshman year and wants to finish strong in his senior campaign.

Davis is headed to Texas Tech.

2. Reggie Ragland

6'4", 250 pounds Ragland is a jumbo linebacker that just doesn't rely on his size to get him on the field. He's a dominant athlete that can dunk a basketball. Ragland has great foot speed to chase down in pursuit, play strength at the point and great length.

He plays receiver right now for his high school, and some say he could wind up at tight end. But Ragland says his favorite players are former Crimson Tide linebackers Rolando McClain and Demeco Ryans.

Yes, he's already committed to Alabama.

1. Kwon Alexander

Alexander is another linebacker from the state of Alabama and takes our opening spot as the top linebacker in the 2012 class. 6'2", 210 pounds, he plays with tremendous play speed and quickness all over the field.

He's very instinctive and has range from Alabama to Mars. He's so fast that he simply outruns blockers to points, thus he doesn't need to stack at the point, has a burst to close and can factor in coverage due to his athleticism.

Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Florida, Oklahoma, UCLA, LSU, Nebraska, Mississippi State, Kentucky, Texas Tech, Arkansas and Illinois have all offered already.