by Bryan Kelly:A good linebacker is the rock on which a great defense can be built.
Because they both play at the line and drop into coverage, linebackers influence every aspect of a defense. Their strength is the defense's strength, their weakness the defense's weakness.
I've ranked the 10 linebacker prospects of the 2011 class with an eye on both inside and outside linebackers.
I've also included film, some embedded, so you can evaluate for yourself. This is a particularly strong class, so some differing opinions are expected and more than welcome.
No. 10: Andre Strudivant, MLB/DLAt 6'2", 245,
Andre Sturdivant is the huskiest LB prospect, but there's no critical level of speed being lost. The first clip on Rivals' free video page showed how well he flows down the line and laterally pursues the back, and he's a solid tackler.
Still, Sturdivant needs to work on is his coverage skills. I'm not sure he's versatile enough to hold up in a Tampa 2-type defense, where the middle linebacker sometimes drops back to play the middle/deep zone.
One-dimensionality at the inside linebacker position is asking to get victimized time and again, so development on his backpedal and range will be essential.
I think those concerns explain his so-so offer sheet—Wisconsin, Iowa, and Ohio State are his most decorated suitors, and they all have yet to offer.
They could be pondering moving him to full-time defensive line duty, but his film didn't endear me to that idea. I think he's too small to play inside and too slow to play outside.
All in all, he's a solid Big Ten prospect whom I could also see at Pitt or Nebraska. Off a more encouraging senior season, he could cement his four-star status and, hopefully, see his stock rise.
Rest of the 2011 top 10 linebacker prospects.
