College Football Recruiting 2012: Where Are the Top 10 Inside Linebackers Headed

From the MIKE to the SAM to the WILL, to the 3-4 LB positions, we have all kinds of LB prospects in this 2012 class and I'm going to focus on the top 10.

This is the newest edition of my top LB rankings, and I have made some revisions, additions and even took out some 'backers. This is a fantastic group, and many of these prospects will be top flight starters in the next few years.

Come check out the new LB rankings.

10. Peter Jinkens

A Texas commit, at 6'1", 210 pounds, Jinkens is a technician. He's a natural wrap tackler that really works at playing the LB spot like it's supposed to be played: good technique mixed with some amazing ferociousness. 

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

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 recognition and attacks the line of scrimmage with tenacity.

I also believe Lee has the burst to finish off 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. James Ross

Ross is another LB in the Michigan class.

He's a 6'1", 215-pounder that has only seen limited time because he just recently started playing football a few years ago.

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.

7. Noor Davis

While Davis can play DE, he's a 6'4", 225-pound LB that is headed to Stanford and is most valuable as a two-down LB/third-down, sub-rusher type.

Davis 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 eight sacks last year.

Stanford has him solid.

6. Royce Jenkins-Stone

A 6'2", 215-pound linebacker, Jenkins-Stone has the ability to play all three spots in the 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.

He's yet another Michigan commit on this list.

5. Ifeadi Odenigbo

At 6'4", 220 pounds, Odenigbo has 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.

Notre Dame, Ohio State, Northwestern and Stanford are the core suitors.

4. Eli Harold

At 6'3", 230 pounds, 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.

His versatility will get him on the field early at Virginia.

3. Jabari Ruffin

Ruffin is a big and athletic player that has played LB, TE, RB and some DE for his prep team. He's a 6'4", 230-pounder with great athleticism, agility and strength. 

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 next level as he plays stout against the run but also can cover TEs and RBs in coverage.

USC has him locked up.

2. Reggie Ragland

Ragland is a 6'4", 245-pound monster that will be an All-American LB one day. He's big, fast in a straight line, strong, instinctive and physical.

Ragland 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 committed to Alabama.

1. Kwon Alexander

At 6'2", 212 pounds, I have Alexander as my No. 1 LB prospect and a top-10 recruit overall.

He's a fantastic linebacker prospect. He has tremendous play speed and range and will be a three-down defender in college.

He projects well at the 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

Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and LSU are in his top schools.