The Top 10 Most Hyped Linebacker Recruits of the Decade
As we move across the board of our "most hyped recruits of the decade" series, we arrive at the linebackers. Some will argue with you tooth and nail about how linebacker is the most important position on the defense, and some will argue with you tooth and nail about how it is not. However you call it, the linebacker position has seen some hyped prep stars in the recruiting fold.
Again, as I've mentioned before, the ranking order for this list and series is not about whether a recruit was successful at the college and/or pro level, but about how much hype surrounded them and their status coming out of high school. Some of the following linebackers were almost mythical legends before they even made a tackle in college. They may not have all dominated in college, but boy were they trending as preps.
Here are the Top 10 Most Hyped Linebacker Recruits of the 2000s.
10. Sergio Kindle: 2006
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Kindle was regarded as one of the best hybrid defenders to come out of the high school ranks in years. At 6'3", and 235 pounds, Kindle could play any linebacker spot, and also put his hand down and rush the passer. Texas high school football observers hailed him as the best linebacker out of the state since Jesse Armstead.
Talk was that if Kindle wanted to be a full-time defensive end, he would have been the top recruit at that position as well. He was named to the Parade and USA Today All-American teams and played in the U.S. Army game.
Kindle went and starred at Texas, eventually becoming a second-round pick to the Ravens. He suffered a skull injury before his rookie season, but is currently on track to recover and begin his NFL career next season.
9. Lamarr Woodley: 2003
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Since the rise of the spread offense in not only college but also high school football, evaluators have become increasingly frustrated with trying to find SAM/strong-side linebackers in traditional 4-3 defenses. In the old days, these were the bigger, physical and more run-stuffing linebackers that could take on and shed well.
In 2003, Lamarr Woodley came along and many of the 4-3 teams saw a SAM linebacker whose value shot up even higher because he was a great pass rusher. Woodley was mega-hyped that year, and the 6'2", 250 pounder was the top linebacker in the country. He came down to Michigan, Michigan State and USC, and many Trojan fans were buzzing with excitement over a rumored pledge to Troy.
However, Woodley ended up signing with Big Blue, where he became one of the top linebacker/defense ends in America and got drafted by the Steelers. Today, Woodley has the Steelers' franchise tag on him, and is one of the best 3-4 outside linebackers in the league.
8. Michael Craven: 2001
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Craven was a super-hyped recruit in 2001, as he was one of the very elite players in the recruiting cycle that year. At 6'1", 220 pounds, he was talked as a sideline to sideline linebacker with speed, range and instincts that could take over a game. Craven had many top schools coming to California to try to convince him to join forces with them, but settled on Stanford, where his parents wanted him to attend.
He had nearly 200 tackles in his senior year and was billed as the Ray Lewis of high school football due to his production, athletic ability and play speed. Craven had the tools and skill set to be the prototypical WILL linebacker who could chase down ball carriers all across the field.
Craven never really dominated on The Farm as expected, though he did flash the athletic ability and speed that made him so hyped.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. Chris Galippo: 2007
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Galippo was considered the top linebacker in the 2007 class, and committed to USC right after his junior season. He was self quoted at saying he patterned his game after Brian Urlacher, and his pledge to Troy early really set the tone for what would be the top recruiting class in the country.
At 6'2", 230 pounds, what made Galippo big time were his instincts and play recognition, as he could read and react quickly and beat running backs to holes. Galippo took great angles in pursuit, did not back down from blockers and made play after play.
Today he is returning for his senior season at USC, in what has been an up and down tenure. He has battled back injuries and lost out to Devon Kenard for the starting MIKE spot in 2010. Galippo likely will indeed be the starter this year, as Kenard will likely be moved to the SAM spot.
6. Arthur Brown: 2008
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After Galippo in 2007, came Arthur Brown in the 2008 class. Some had Brown as the top overall recruit, but many had him at least as the top linebacker. His play speed was incredible and his film displayed him dominating his Kansas competition.
At 6'2," 220 pounds, I even thought Brown could have played strong safety in a pinch for a defense, as he was the ultimate chase linebacker. Brown's range, quickness and instincts jumped off the screen at you and his name was everywhere. His hype partly came from his peculiar recruitment, as Brown and his "advisor" did things a bit differently.
Brown eventually signed with Miami, where he was expected to play as a true freshman. But sources have told me Brown struggled to both digest and comprehend the Canes' defensive playbook, while also struggling to adjust to better competition. He and his brother Bryce have both transferred to Kansas State.
5. Ahmad Brooks: 2002
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Brooks was hyped as the best linebacker and one of the best players to ever come out of Virginia in history. He was a national recruit that was commended for staying home to play for Al Groh and the Cavs. He was the 2001 USA Today National Defensive Player of the Year.
At 6'3" and 240 pounds in high school, Brooks was an excellent athlete for the linebacker position that combined size with sheer play speed, instincts, quickness and toughness. He could also rush the passer and made plays as a blitzer. He was seen as a rare, every down linebacker that could cover as well as a rush.
He went on to have a solid career at Virginia but ran into off-field issues and was kicked off the team in 2005. He was selected by the Bengals in the supplemental draft and today is with the 49ers.
4. Manti Te'O: 2009
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I remember when first heard about a special linebacker that was in Hawaii and popping on his tape and saying "wow" after four plays. The linebacker was Te'O. His film just showed him blowing people up and you saw him running all over the field to chase people down. He played intense, fast and physical, which is what you want in a linebacker.
He was head and shoulders the top linebacker in the country in his class, and hearing about what he would do when he got to college was like a cliff hanger on a season finale. Everyone in recruiting was not only waiting for him to make a choice, but also just wanted to see him play because of his crazy hype.
Te'O came down to USC and Notre Dame, and chose to head to South Bend as a surprise to some. From the first day, he had been a key defensive cornerstone for the Irish and will look to have an improved 2011 season.
3. Willie Williams: 2004
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At 6'3", 225 pounds, Williams was one of the most talked about recruits in history. Yes he has off-field problems, but many forget how hyped Williams was due to his on-field talent. He was a great athlete, had amazing instincts, could cover running backs and had elite range. Williams today is regarded as one of the best players in Sunshine State history.
It was sad to see Williams' past catch up with him, because he was hyped as a future multiple Butkus Award Trophy winner. He dominated in high school, and made everyone's All-World lists and teams.
He transferred from Miami and went to a Los Angeles JC, eventually settling in at Louisville. He was always haunted by his past and we never got to see him on the field at full tilt.
2. Rey Maualuga: 2005
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People who saw Maualuga play in high school reportedly would shake their heads in amazement of the marvel he was. At 6'3", 250 pounds Maualuga had serious play speed and athleticism and was a juggernaut on the field. He moved easily for a big linebacker and hit like a truck.
Couple that with great instincts, quick read/react ability and a knack to find the football, and even in high school Maualuga was hyped as a sure-fire future first round draft pick. Trojan fans penciled him in as a starter the day he pledged to USC. The hype and buzz surrounding Mauluga was just crazy and many made unachievable projections about what he would do at USC.
Maualuga did not disappoint, as he enjoyed a very solid USC career and became a second-round pick to the Bengals. If it were not for some character concerns, Maualuga would have surely been a first-frame selection. He's bantered as one of the top young linebackers in the NFL today.
1. DJ Williams: 2000
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This was an easy one. If you've truly followed college football recruiting for a while then you've heard of DJ Williams. Not because he is a former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and starts for the Broncos, but because he is the most hyped linebacker recruit of the decade.
For awhile I kept Williams off my lists because he'd be No.1 on everything that consisted of "decade" type of stories, but now he is included. Williams starred for Concord De La Salle during their famous 151 game winning streak that ranged from '92 to '04. He was a dominant linebacker that also played running back in high school, and stood 6'2", 230 pounds. Many bantered on if Williams could actually play in the NFL as a prep star, as he was chiseled, fast and tough.
He had offers from almost literally everybody and signed with Miami. The Hurricanes wanted him on the field so badly that they started him at fullback as a true freshman. He switched over to linebacker as a sophomore and played very well throughout his stay at Coral Gables.
The Broncos took him with their first-round pick in 2004 where he won Rookie of the Year honors. Williams is regarded as one of the better outside linebackers in the NFL.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
