College Football 2011: Ranking the Pac-12's Top Linebackers

With the 2011 college football season creeping closer following each turning day, it is never too early to start ranking the players from—in my opinion—the most intriguing conference in college football. 

Linebackers kick off my series of ranking the Pac-12’s top players by position.

Watching these linebackers patrol the line like hungry Velociraptors can send shivers directly to your soul. It’s shame we have to wait so long to see these beasts in action.

Let’s check out the list.    

Keep track of the Pac-12 with The Pacific Dozen: A Pac-12 Football Blog.

No. 5: Sean Westgate, UCLA

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Quarterback Case Keenum #7 of the Houston Cougars manages to dump off a pass as he is pulled down by linebacker Sean Westgate #11 of the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl on September 18, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by S

Senior Sean Westgate surprised most people with an astonishing performance last season. 

Spending most of his career on UCLA’s depth chart as a kick returner/linebacker, Westgate made a permanent switch to linebacker last spring, and the Bruins could not be happier. 

Last season, Westgate ranked third amongst Pac-10 linebackers in tackles (90) and TFL (11), and fourth in sacks (4).  His prowess in pass coverage was also quite impressive, leading all Pac-10 linebackers with seven passes defended.

No. 4: Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 18: John Clay #32 of the Wisconsin Badgers is tackled by the face mask by Vontaze Burfict #7 of the Arizona State Sun Devils at Camp Randall Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Image

Junior Vontaze Burfict (or "El Baron", as I like to call him) continues to improve since starting as a true freshman in 2009. 

Although Burfict failed to record a sack last year, he tallied 8.5 TFL, the most non-sack TFl in the Pac-10. He also tied for third amongst Pac-10 linebackers with 90 tackles. 

It’s hard not to like El Baron. He is primed for a break-out season, and Arizona State’s South title hopes could depend on it. 

No. 3: Chase Thomas, Stanford

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

PALO ALTO, CA - SEPTEMBER 04: McLeod Bethel-Thompson #9 of the Sacramento State Hornets is sacked by Chase Thomas #44 of the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Junior Chase Thomas collected seven sacks last year, tying Skov and Kendricks for the lead amongst Pac-10 linebackers.   

His relentless drive to reach the ball and astounding speed around the corner allows Thomas to get into the backfield fast. Expect to see him consistently making tackles behind the line once again this year.   

No. 2: Shayne Skov, Stanford

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

BERKELEY, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Shayne Skov #11 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates after beating the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

In case you missed the 2011 Orange Bowl, Shayne Skov exclaimed to the nation his beastly ability to get to the ball. 

The junior linebacker’s stat line was ridiculous, notching 12 total tackles and four TFL, which included dragging down the quarterback three times. 

Skov flew under the radar a bit last season, but expect him to grab headlines in 2011. 

No. 1: Mychal Kendricks, California

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BERKELEY, CA - OCTOBER 03: Joe McKnight #4 of the USC Trojans runs against Mychal Kendricks #30 of the California Golden Bears at Memorial Stadium on October 3, 2009 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Senior Mychal Kendricks earned All-Conference honors last season, wrestling down the quarterback seven times and pulling in 14.5 TFL. 

Kendricks led or tied all Pac-10 linebackers last season in these categories and should contend for the top of the class again in 2011.

Check out which linebackers ranked 6-10 at The Pacific Dozen: A Pac-12 Football Blog