College Football Recruiting: Kwon Alexander or Eli Harold, Who's the No. 1 OLB?

The outside LB class this year has several interesting second-level flank defenders that I like, and the top two are Kwon Alexander and Eli Harold.

Both players have supreme ability and are coveted by all of the top-level programs around the country. As I've been doing in this series, I'm going to break both guys down and settle on who's the OLB that I would take.

Here we go.

Who Is Kwon Alexander?

Alexander is an outside linebacker prospect from Oxford, Ala., and one of the best players for 2012. He's already been selected to play in the 2012 Under Armour All-American game and is considered one of the top overall players in the country this year.

Before tearing his ACL this year, Alexander had 100-tackle seasons each of the past two years and approached the 150 mark as a sophomore. He's also a standout basketball and track star.

Alexander has more than 30 offers and has Auburn, Alabama, LSU and Florida as his main suitors.

Who Is Eli Harold?

Hailing from Virginia Beach, Va., Harold is a fantastic OLB/DE prospect. He also has played at WR for his Ocean Lakes High School team.

An All-District pick the past two years, Harold had heard some rumblings earlier in the process about him playing WR in college, but it looks like he'll be on the defensive side of the ball.

He held offers from many top programs, including Florida, LSU, Tennessee, Penn State and Virginia Tech, but settled on Virginia. 

Kwon Alexander Scouting Report

At 6'2", 212 pounds, Alexander is a fantastic outside linebacker now and will be even better in college. The first thing I notice when watching film on him is his play speed. Alexander has a burst to finish tackles, exploding off the ball as a blitzer, and I liken him to Michael Boley and Thomas Davis.

Next comes his range. I advise you to watch film on him and see Alexander hawking down ball carriers from across the field vs. the run. He can go sideline to sideline with ease and has the most range of any defender in the country. Period. He's athletic enough to cover backs and tight ends in the passing game and has elite instincts.

He's got solid strength but will need to add some bulk and strength to help his shed/escape ability on the college level. I'm not sure if he fits a 3-4 defense as he's too light to play inside and he's not a natural rush end/defensive end hybrid. I think his best position is as an outside linebacker in a 4-3 scheme.

Eli Harold Scouting Report

One of the most explosive pass rushers in the country at 6'3", 230 pounds, Harold can play both OLB and DE in a front seven. His frame screams of a player that will tack on a good amount of strength and muscle.

Once Harold really learns how to harness his strength and adds it to his explosive first-step quickness, solid length to stay clean during the rush and a burst to finish, then you're really going to be watching a great player.

Harold can fit in as a SAM in a 4-3, as he can jam TEs and either get upfield or cover, or he can put his hand down and rush from the edge. He resembles Mathias Kiwanuka of the Giants because of his versatility and style.

Differences and Similarities

Both players use speed and quickness to really enable them to make plays. They each have excellent range and pursuit ability. Alexander just has a tad bit more of both.

Yet, Harold has the better long-term strength potential as he looks to be a DE/OLB type. Harold is a better fit in the 3-4 defense as he's more of a natural pass rusher.

Alexander is more of a pure OLB, as he is a chase guy who works best when he's covered up and free to use his speed to sift through traffic and hawk ball carriers on the edges. However, I do feel Alexander can play SAM in certain 4-3 schemes.

Who's No.1?

If I'm a defensive coordinator and I run a 30-front 3-4 scheme, then I'm going to take Harold and not look back. He can be my JACK LB or play the WILL spot on the front as a stand up guy for me.

However, if I'm a 4-3 defensive coordinator, I take Alexander and let him rip tackles all night. I make sure I have a fat DT that can hog up guards off him, give him space to roam and watch him make play after play.

Which style coordinator are you?