College Football Recruiting 2012: Power Ranking The Top 25 Linebacker Prospects

Second-level defenders are being asked to be more and more versatile, athletic and speedy nowadays since many offenses are throwing the football more. The spread offense has forced defenses to employ more athletic and coverage instinctive LBs.

With the 2012 class, we have several LB prospects that display a full three-down skill set on tape. We also have prospects that can put their hand down and rush the passer as DPRs in sub-packages and of course the big, tough run-stuffing types as well.

Here are the top 25 LB prospects in the 2012 recruiting crop.

25. Beniquez Brown

Brown is a 6'2" LB that is just over 200 pounds. While he has a sleek and light frame, Brown makes up for it with speed, quickness and athleticism.

He as a great range, shows a knack for reading the run quickly and can jump a RB in an alley. Brown also flashes the potential to stay on the field in nickel and dime situations and carry RBs and TEs around the field.

Alabama seems to be the favorite.

24. Kaleb Ringer

Ringer is a LB with a solid skill set. He's 6'1", 225 pounds and has great shedding ability. I really value this trait on LB prospects, since it is essential how they play in take ons and use their hands to get free from blocks.

Ringer also has excellent play speed, which is why his range so good, and he can also be used on blitzes. Another trait to Ringer's game that I like is when he arrives at the point of attack, he brings the wood with him.

He's headed to Michigan.

23. Cassanova McKinzy

McKinzy is a 6'3", 235-pound MIKE LB prospect that has excellent size. He fits right in as a middle 'backer due to his smarts and instincts in the box.

McKinzy shows the want and intelligence to take on the chore of lining up an entire defense play in and play out, while also being able to shift coverages, gap responsibilities and alignments pre-snap.

He's committed to Auburn.

22. Brian Nance

Nance is an OLB type that can fit in as a WILL or SAM. He's 6'3", 210 pounds and has athletic ability to spare. He moves around with ease and has excellent re-direct and change of direction skills.

Nance really will be able to stay on the field for all three downs, and he can cover RBs out of the backfield, TEs and also flashes the foot quickness and transition skills to cover slot receivers underneath. 

USC, Tennessee, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Notre Dame have offered among others.

21. Dalton Santos

Santos is a 6'2", 230-pound LB that can also double down as a DE. I don't think he's as athletic as many of the LBs on this list, but he plays the run very well.

See what Santos does is play instinctively and beats RBs to holes. He plays to his size at the point of attack and makes OLs pay for coming to the second level to attempt to block him. He's one of the better run-stuffers on this list.

Santos de-committed from Oklahoma State and is now considering schools like Oklahoma and Alabama.

20. Josh Harvey-Clemons

Some say he will be a great OLB. Others say he is destined to become a college receiver. However you view him, just know that Josh Harvey-Clemons is a good football player.

At 6'4" and nearly 210 pounds, he shows very good knowledge of the game on defense, plays with instincts, can set the edge is a sound athlete. If he sticks at OLB, his transition quickness will allow him to become one of the better cover LBs in the country.

Alabama, Georgia, Auburn, Florida, Miami and Tennessee are just some offers to name.

19. Scott Starr

Starr is a 6'3", 205-pounder with solid play speed. He's a little straightlinish and can be stiff at times. But he plays with excellent toughness, play strength, effort and instincts.

He's drawn some comparisons to Clay Matthews since he can double as a DE or 3-4 OLB. Starr is a solid wrap tackler that always gets his man and has some pass-rush ability to pressure the passer.

He's headed to USC.

18. Donavin Newsom

Newsom will fit right in as a middle linebacker because he has fantastic later quickness. He moves well to each flank, with speed and quickness.

He can tracks the run well with, can sniff a RB around the box and has outstanding play range. Newsom is at his best on the run in pursuit, using his speed to beat blockers' angles to get to the ball-carrier.

Missouri has his commitment.

17. Aaron Porter

Porter is one of the most productive defenders on the West Coast. He was the CIF DPOY last year and set school records with 156 tackles, 23 TFLs, 11 sacks and even had two picks.

He's 6'2", 230 pounds and plays in the middle. He brings his lunch pail every game and works every snap. Porter has very good instincts, a feel for the game and is an underrated LB that is a bit under the radar.

Cal, UCLA, Arizona, Washington and Colorado are just a few offers to name.

16. Tyler Hayes

Hayes is a big and athletic LB that also plays RB. He moves around very easily for a 6'3", 220-pound player.

There is some talk that he actually may be a better RB than LB, but at his size, athleticism, speed and potential, he looks like a future All-Conference LB. Look for him to fit in well as a strongside player as a LB.

Hayes is going to Alabama.

15. Deaysean Rippy

At 6'2", 200 pounds, Rippy looks like safety. But then you see him on tape hitting people and tracking the run, and you realize he can be a LB.

Rippy is extremely athletic, as he uses his lack of bulk to his advantage. He'll cover on third downs, blitz to pressure and use great play speed to pursue. Some schools feel he is a strong safety while others say they will develop him as an OLB.

Florida leads LSU, USC, Auburn and UCLA. 

14. Noor Davis

Davis is a big 6'4", 225-pound LB that is also looked at as a potential DE prospect. Yet, I think he is most valuable as a two-down LB/third-down, sub-rusher type.

He is very athletic, changes direction well for such a tall player in space and can cover pretty well at this stage of his development. He had over 11 tackles and eight sacks last year.

Davis is bound for Stanford.

13. Quanzell Lambert

You want a big, intimidating, run-stuffing LB? Lambert is your man. He's a 6'2", 245 LB that plays with a plethora of effort.

Lambert doesn't quit on a play, keeps coming and his motor never stops. he has solid instincts, plays downhill post-snap and explodes at the point of attack. He would be an ideal fit as a 3-4 ILB.

Florida, Nebraska, Alabama, Virginia and West Viginia have been mentioned.

12. Kaiwan Lewis

Lewis is one of the biggest hitters in the country, regardless of position. He can really bring the wood and lay someone out.

On tape, he plays like a heat seeking missle at 6'2", 225 pounds. He explodes upon contact and seems to hit like he has the intention of making the ball carrier feel as much pain as possible. He's future starting MLB.

He has offers from Florida State, Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina and Stanford among others.

11. Peter Jinkens

Jinkens likely is most technically sound LB in the country. He's a 6'1", 210-pounder that does everything with a plan and almost text book like.

He has excellent tackling technique, as he locates his targets, sinks his hips, strikes hard and through the ball carrier, wraps up and brings them down in fluid motion. He plays with great toughness and range and should be a multiple-year starter in college.

He's committed to Texas.

10. Jabari Ruffin

Ruffin is a great-looking prospect, standing in the 6'3" to 6'4", 230-pound range, he's a great athlete on the field. 

He makes plays on offense as TE/WR/RB, but his future lies more than likely on defense as an OLB. I think Ruffin can play the SAM spot at the second level as he plays stout against the run but also can cover TEs and RB in coverage.

He's committed to USC.

9. Dillon Lee

Lee is a versatile defender that stands 6'4", 220 pounds and plays with great instincts. He plays the run with fantastic instincts and attacks the line of scrimmage with tenacity.

I also believe Lee has a burst to finish on the ball carriers he seeks out. His speed is better than many people think, and his length will allow him to factor as a blitzer since he will clog up throwing lanes naturally.

Lee's committed to Alabama.

8. Elijah Shumate

Shumate is a player that I liken to former Arizona State star Adam Archuleta. At 6'1", 200 pounds, he has great instincts versus the run and fills alleys quickly.

He can play outside 'backer and strong safety and he is nasty in the box. He can stand to improve his coverage ability, but he's too good in the box to be asked to play in space often.

7. James Ross

At 6'1", 215 pounds, what's so impressive about Ross is this will be only his third year of playing football. He's already shown natural instincts and his potential is off the charts.

He's a natural MIKE 'backer who plugs the run, jumps backs in alleys and uses his athleticism to play with range. Once he gets seasoned in college, he could be a prime-time steal.

He's all Michigan's.

6. Joshua Perry

Perry is a bit underrated in my opinion. I think he has leadership qualities from what I've read about him, and I think he is still growing physically, albeit he already is 6'3", 225 pounds.

He's very, very athletic and has a high ceiling. He projects as a SAM LB in college due to his length, increasing strength and ability to cover TEs. He doesn't back down from play side runs and will attack the line of scrimmage.

He's solid to Ohio State.

5. Eli Harold

Harold is an extremely explosive pass rusher that can play DE or 3-4 OLB. He is a great athlete with good range, play speed in pursuit and a quick close on ball carriers.

He's a hot name on the trail since many 4-3 programs see him as a two down LB and sub-package/third-down DE.

Virginia leads, with North Carolina and Florida also in contention.

4. Royce Jenkins-Stone

A 6'2", 215-pound linebacker, Jenkins-Stone has the ability to play all three spots in 4-3 look. He's instinctive enough to play MIKE, stout enough to play SAM, and fast enough to man the WILL spot.

He can bring the wood at the point of attack, thump well as a tackler and even be an efficient blitzer. Wherever Jenkins-Stone plays, look for some big things to happen.

Stone is committed to Michigan.

3. Ifeadi Odenigbo

At 6'4", 220 pounds, Odenigbo is as a raw a prospect as there may be in the country. He's only played football for just a few years, but watch his tape and you see a ceiling that is as high as Mount Everest.

He's super athletic, quick and explodes off the ball. He plays very, very fast and has amazing range. If he can find a program that has a great pass-rushing coach and get stronger, he may have a long playing future ahead of him as a 3-4 OLB.

2. Reggie Ragland

Watching and evaluating Ragland on tape is fun and a treat to do, as seeing a big player move around so fast was a sight to see. At 6'4", 245 pounds, he actually plays receiver for his high school team. Yes, receiver.

But many project Ragland to linebacker in college, as he shows tremendous instincts, run-plug ability and plays to his size at the point of attack. But he also has the speed and range to make tackles outside the box and work in coverage as well.

He's pledged to Alabama.

1. Kwon Alexander

At 6'2", 210 pounds, Alexander is a fantastic linebacker prospect. He has tremendous play speed and range and will be a three-down defender in college.

He projects well at WILL, but I think he can also play SAM in a 4-3 scheme due to his ability to carry tight ends around the field in coverage.

He's a remarkable player to watch on tape and is one of the better defensive prospects to come out in the past few years.