2009 CFN Preview - Unit Rankings ... LBs

CFN 2009 Preview Unit Rankings - Linebacker Ranked 1 to 120

Preview 2009 ... Unit Rankings

Linebackers

- CFN Preview 2009
- CFN's Top 200 Players of 2009

CFN 2009 Unit Rankings
- Offenses | Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Receivers | Offensive Lines
- Defenses | Defensive Lines | Linebackers | Secondaries  | Special Teams

1. Florida
 
This group could do more to get into the backfield, and there could be a few more big plays against the pass, but that's trying to come up with a negative. If this isn't the nation's best linebacking corps, it's a close No. 2 with Brandon Spikes the favorite for the Butkus Award and A.J. Jones and Ryan Stamper productive veterans who should be terrific. The second team would start at most places.

2. Penn State
 
A monster question mark last season is one of the team's biggest strengths going into this year. Getting Sean Lee back is as much of a boost as it gets, while Navorro Bowman is an all-star who should do even more now that he can get into the backfield and can let Lee clean everything up. There's a ton of talent waiting in the wings, but the backups need more time to be ready to roll for next year and if injuries strike the starters.

3. Alabama
There was a big concern here going into last year with off-the-field issues, suspensions, and graduations, but it turned out to be great. Now the star freshmen brought aboard last year appear to be ready to take on bigger roles, while Rolondo McClain is a special talent to work around. This group is deep, big, and extremely productive.

4. Iowa
 
The linebacking corps turned out to be better than anyone could've dreamed. Granted, the great defensive tackles turned out to do much of the dirty work and the linebackers cleaned things up. That's not to say Pat Angerer, A.J. Edds, and Jeremiha Hunter weren't fantastic, but now they'll likely have more responsibility. All three could end up on All-Big Ten teams.

5. LSU
 
The linebackers should be the stars of the show. This isn't the most talented linebacking corps LSU has had, but there are producers all across the unit with Jacob Curtera about to blossom into a force and with Harry Coleman, Kelvin Sheppard, and Perry Riley all possible all-stars. This could end up being the team's biggest strength as the season goes on.

6. Georgia
 
If the offensive line isn't the strength of the team, it'll be the linebackers. Led by Rennie Curran on the weakside, there's a nice combination of experience, size, and rising stars. The parts aren't exactly interchangeable, but there are several versatile players who could move around where needed without much of a drop off in production. There's quickness to burn and more than enough athleticism to clean up anything missed by the line or the secondary.

7. Oklahoma
 
The linebackers did what they needed to do to get by once Ryan Reynolds went down, but now that he's back the corps should be special. Travis Lewis is a tremendous talent who should be one of the Big 12's leading tacklers again, while Keenan Clayton will earn all-star honors. The starting threesome should combine for well over 300 tackles.

8. Mississippi State
 
Former North Carolina head coach Carl Torbush will handle the linebackers along with his duties as defensive coordinator, and he has a loaded group. The return of Jamar Chaney will be a huge plus, while the addition of Chris White will make a good situation fantastic. K.J. Wright will earn all-star honors and will soon get an NFL paycheck. The backups have potential to be great if they get time to develop.

9. West Virginia
 
Whatever the defensive linemen miss, these talented linebackers will be prepared to clean up. Even after losing Ivy to the NFL, it’s a very talented and diverse group that knows the 3-3-5 stack intimately. Reed Williams and J.T. Thomas are All-Big East-caliber, and Pat Lazear and Anthony Leonard aren’t that far behind.

10. Florida State
 
While even better days lay ahead in 2010 and 2011, the Seminole linebackers will still be plenty good in 2009. The return of Dekoda Watson from injury and seamless transition inside by Kendall Smith will provide a solid foundation as Nigel Bradham, Nigel Carr, and Vince Williams take another step closer to becoming dynamite players. 

11	Virginia Tech
12	UCLA
13	Miami
14	Texas
15	North Carolina
16	USC
17	Notre Dame
18	Auburn
19	Oregon
20	Georgia Tech
21	Michigan State
22	Rutgers
23	Connecticut
24	Oregon State
25	Texas Tech
26	Washington
27	Baylor
28	Pitt
29	California
30	Ohio State
31	Clemson
32	TCU
33	South Carolina
34	Arizona State
35	Utah
36	Vanderbilt
37	NC State
38	Missouri
39	Colorado
40	Troy
41	Ole Miss
42	Tennessee
43	South Florida
44	Northwestern
45	BYU
46	Stanford
47	Kentucky
48	Illinois
49	Wisconsin
50	Michigan
51	Oklahoma State
52	Maryland
53	Nebraska
54	Arizona
55	Boston College
56	East Carolina
57	Virginia
58	Purdue
59	Boise State
60	Kansas
61	Cincinnati
62	Wake Forest
63	Arkansas
64	Duke
65	Minnesota
66	Indiana
67	Louisville
68	Washington State
69	UNLV
70	Wyoming
71	Kansas State
72	San Jose State
73	Arkansas State
74	Air Force
75	UCF
76	Northern Illinois
77	Navy
78	Ohio
79	Hawaii
80	Toledo
81	Miami Univ.
82	Memphis
83	Southern Miss
84	Nevada
85	Fresno State
86	Texas A&M
87	Louisiana Tech
88	Iowa State
89	Central Michigan
90	Ball State
91	New Mexico
92	Bowling Green
93	San Diego State
94	Temple
95	Houston
96	Western Michigan
97	Army
98	Tulsa
99	Akron
100	UL Lafayette
101	North Texas
102	UL Monroe
103	SMU
104	Syracuse
105	Marshall
106	Colorado State
107	Rice
108	FIU
109	Utah State
110	Western Kentucky
111	Middle Tennessee
112	Kent State
113	Tulane
114	Buffalo
115	UTEP
116	Florida Atlantic
117	Idaho
118	New Mexico State
119	Eastern Michigan
120	UAB