2012 College Football Postion Rankings: Top 5 Linebackers

2012 College Football Postion Rankings- Top 5 Linebackers: With more and more teams moving to spread attacks on offense, linebackers are being asked to do more and more on the field. Although still considered the field generals for the defense, being able to stop the run is not enough for today’s linebackers. Yes, stopping the run is still crucial, but dropping back on coverage and putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks are also must-have abilities. Not surprisingly, some of the best all-around athletes in college football today reside at the linebacker position. Here is a look at the cream of the crop for the upcoming season.

2012 College Football Postion Rankings: Top 5 Linebackers

1.      Manti Te’o, Inside Linebacker, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

A true, hard-nosed inside linebacker, Te’o has been a defensive force in the middle of the Notre Dame defense throughout his career. He is a throwback player that isn’t afraid to fight through blocks and double teams to make plays. He has 324 tackles heading in his senior season with the Fighting Irish, and another 100-plus tackle season can already be penciled in. The scary thing is that Te’o is expanding his game. He has always been a disruptive presence against the run, and last season, he added five sacks. Te’o would have been a first-round pick had he left school after his junior year, and the anchor of the Fighting Irish defense is a lock to go out with a bang in his final year in South Bend.

2.      Jarvis Jones, Outside Linebacker, Georgia Bulldogs

The former USC Trojan finally got on the field last year after transferring to Georgia, and he responded by leading the SEC with 13.5 sacks. He also added 19.5 tackles for loss, leaving little doubt of his big play ability. While Jones may be best known for his superior edge rushing skills in the Bulldog’s 3-4 base, he is a complete player. Jones has the speed and athleticism to drop back in coverage and the strength to fight through double teams. With a year of collegiate playing experience now under his belt, Jones should have no trouble continuing to terrorize opposing quarterbacks as the main weapon of Georgia’s loaded defensive front.

3.      Chris Borland, Inside Linebacker, Wisconsin Badgers

Borland is the next addition to the long line of productive, reliable Big Ten middle linebackers. Like A.J. Hawk and Paul Posluszny before him, Borland isn’t the biggest or fastest player at the position, but he piles up tackles whenever he is on the field. After being named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2009, he actually missed all of the 2010 season. Borland bounced back last year with a 143-tackle campaign, and he should be a steady force in the middle of the Badgers’ defense again this season. Two full years removed from his shoulder injury, he could easily lead the Big Ten in tackles after finishing second in the category a year ago.

4.      C.J. Mosley, Inside Linebacker, Alabama Crimson Tide

The last the college football world saw of Mosley, he was being taken off the field during the BCS Championship Game after injuring his hip making an interception. Well, he is back, healthy and ready to become the top linebacker for the Crimson Tide this year. Mosley is a former Freshman All-American, and after being the third wheel in a linebacking unit that also featured Dont’a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw, he will be the leader of the unit this season. Mosley has the athleticism and instincts to thrive as the main man.

5.      Denicos Allen, Outside Linebacker, Michigan State Spartans

Allen is the total package at linebacker. He has the speed and agility to be an excellent edge rusher, along with the size and strength to be a run stopper. Allen’s all-around ability was on full display last year, and he finished with 83 tackles, including 18.5 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks. His hits on quarterbacks will make the highlight reels, but it is his consistent impact in all facets of the game that makes him a star for the Spartans. Plain and simple, Allen is one of the few linebackers that will make a push for 100-plus tackles and double digit sacks.

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