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Curry heads up stacked OLB class
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McShay By Todd McShay
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Todd McShay breaks down the linebackers invited to this year's NFL scouting combine and ranks them heading into the event. To see this and more, become an ESPN Insider. Insider
The new millennium has seen some impressive college linebacker units leaving together for the NFL draft. First it was in 2003, when Miami had a pair of first-round picks in D.J. Williams and Jonathan Vilma, followed by Darrell McClover in the seventh round. Then in 2005, Ohio State one-upped the Hurricanes when the first-round tandem of A.J. Hawk and Bobby Carpenter were accompanied by third-round selection Anthony Schlegel. But USC is about to trump both the Canes and the Buckeyes with its ridiculously talented foursome of Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews and Kaluka Maiava.

Maualuga should be the first ILB off the board -- likely in the top 20 picks overall -- to a team in search of a run-stuffing inside presence. There's also a good chance that OLBs Cushing and Matthews hear their names called by the end of Round 1. Finally, while it may be several rounds later, Maiava should be selected as a potential reserve outside linebacker and special teams reserve. All four are expected to put their skills on display at the upcoming combine.

While the Trojans' linebackers absorb most of the national spotlight, Wake Forest OLB Aaron Curry has emerged as the premier linebacker in the 2009 class. There's nothing flashy about his game, and he does have some limitations in coverage; however, he has a great combination of size, instincts, quickness, strength and relentlessness. He reminds us of Patrick Willis, who has starred for the 49ers since he was drafted with pick No. 11 in 2007. Curry spent most of his career playing outside in a 4-3 defense, but he's capable of playing any linebacker spot in either a three- or four-man front in the NFL. On the flip side, James Laurinaitis spent the majority of his playing days in the middle of Ohio State's defense, but he appears to be capable of playing inside or outside in the NFL. Curry is stronger and navigates through traffic more effectively as a run defender; that's why he will come off the board approximately a half-round earlier than Laurinaitis. Both project as first-rounders, though.

We also outlined some of the potential hybrids in the defensive linemen preview, including first-day prospects Aaron Maybin (Penn State), Brian Orakpo (Texas), Everette Brown (Florida State) and Paul Kruger (Utah). For the handful of undersized college defensive ends on this list, there's no question in our minds they'll be asked to convert to outside linebacker in the NFL. Larry English is the best of the group and could come off the board late in Round 1. Facing similar situations are Cincinnati's Connor Barwin, Hawaii's David Veikune and Connecticut's Cody Brown, all of whom should all come off the board in the following two rounds. Virginia's Clint Sintim also projects as a 3-4 outside linebacker, but he is fortunate to have experience in a similar role having played under former NFL head coach Al Groh.

Oklahoma's Nic Harris could be facing a somewhat unusual switch: college safety to NFL linebacker -- a la Cato June's early-career transition for the Colts. After spending his days at Oklahoma playing strong safety, the 6-foot-3, 230-pound Harris impressed scouts by working out at outside linebacker during Senior Bowl week. Harris' momentum should only build in Indianapolis, where he's expected to post impressive all-around workout numbers.

However, the inside linebacker group is disappointing as a whole. Outside of Maualuga and Laurinaitis, there isn't anyone worth drafting on Day 1. Southern Mississippi's Gerald McRath's decision to bypass his final year of eligibility adds some more depth to the group -- but even he projects as a Day 2 selection. Plus, the undersized McRath is likely to be moved outside in the NFL. TCU's Jason Phillips plays the game with great instincts and passion, but his physical tools are limited. LSU's Darry Beckwith and Georgia's Dannell Ellerbe are coming off injury-riddled senior seasons. Pittsburgh's Scott McKillop and South Carolina's Jasper Brinkley were tackling machines in college, but neither has a high NFL ceiling due to marginal athleticism.

Finally, Alcorn State's Lee Robinson is the only true small-school prospect to monitor from this year's crop of linebackers. At 6-2, 249 pounds, Robinson has the size to play either inside or outside in a 3-4 scheme -- or even SAM linebacker in a four-man front. Regardless, Robinson needs to keep pace in workouts in order to cement a spot in the later rounds of April's draft.

Ranking the LBs at the NFL scouting combine
Player Pos. School Ht. Wt. Grade
1. Aaron Curry OLB Wake Forest 6-1¾ 247 98
2. Rey Maualuga ILB USC 6-1⅞ 260 94
3. Brian Cushing OLB USC 6-2¾ 253 93
4. James Laurinaitis ILB Ohio State 6-2 240 92
5. Clay Matthews OLB USC 6-3¾ 242 92
6. Larry English OLB Northern Illinois 6-2⅜ 246 91
7. Clint Sintim OLB Virginia 6-2⅜ 249 88
8. Connor Barwin OLB Cincinnati 6-3¾ 247 79
9. David Veikune OLB Hawaii 6-2⅜ 254 77
10. Cody Brown OLB Connecticut 6-2⅛ 242 76
11. Gerald McRath ILB Southern Mississippi 6-3 220 74
12. Nic Harris OLB Oklahoma 6-3 230 71
13. Marcus Freeman OLB Ohio State 6-1 240 68
14. Darry Beckwith ILB LSU 6-0½ 237 67
15. Scott McKillop ILB Pittsburgh 6-0⅞ 243 65
16. Jason Phillips ILB TCU 6-0⅜ 236 64
17. Tyrone Mckenzie OLB South Florida 6-2 230 63
18. Dannell Ellerbe ILB Georgia 6-1 236 62
19. Mortty Ivy OLB West Virginia 6-1½ 239 59
20. Jasper Brinkley ILB South Carolina 6-1¾ 262 59
21. Deandre Levy OLB Wisconsin 6-2¾ 228 55
22. Worrell Williams ILB California 5-10¾ 242 53
23. Zach Follett OLB California 6-1¾ 232 49
24. Kaluka Maiava OLB USC 5-11⅝ 232 48
25. Josh Mauga ILB Nevada 6-1⅜ 250 48
26. Victor Butler OLB Oregon State 6-1¾ 235 39
27. Anthony Felder OLB California 6-1⅝ 231 31
28. Lee Robinson OLB Alcorn State 6-2¼ 249 30
29. Cody Glenn OLB Nebraska 5-11⅞ 240 30
30. Stanley Arnoux ILB Wake Forest 6-0½ 239 30
31. Moise Fokou OLB Maryland 6-4 6-1⅛ 30
32. Morris Wooten ILB Arizona State 6-1 243 30

[fredtoast]

I am very interested in seeing what Jasper Brinkley does at the combine. He looked like a beast in '06 when he was first team All-SEC as a sophomore. He had over 100 tackles including 85 [b]SOLO[/b] tackles (I believe that lead the nation). He then missed most of '07 with an injury, and did not look like he was 100% recovered in '08 (but still finished 2nd team All-SEC). I think he is a guy with a chip on his shoulder that wants to prove that he has re-gained his '06 form. At 6'2", 270 he was supposed to be able to run the forty under 4.7. If he does that at the combine his stock will sky rocket.