Inside Linebackers
Positional Overview:
Despite being a critical position and a core of a pro defense, this spot has become a two down position in recent years with most players a one dimensional run stuffer. This class is an above average group with several highly regarded prospects expected to go in the top 100 selections. Juniors Curtis Lofton and Jerod Mayo and senior Dan Connor project both inside and outside and head this solid group. Lofton has a chance to be a special NFL defender. Connor is a savvy tough backer who can start as a rookie in either scheme. This year's group is a good class and features several early NFL starters in Lofton, Connor, Mayo, Beau Bell, Philip Wheeler and Jonathan Goff. At least 5-6 of them could be the only top 100 selections. Expect at least 6 to 8 NFL starters in time. This position could provide as many as 10 to 12 picks over the two-day event.

Photo - LB Curtis Lofton - Oklahoma
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Curtis Lofton is our #1 inside linebacker with impact ability for the NFL game. He is ranked our #2 outside linebacker behind only senior Keith Rivers with more upside potential than the Southern Cal #1 pick and possible top ten selection.

1.*Curtis Lofton #40 - 6’ 245 lbs. - Oklahoma - Sp 4.65
Key Factors
Athletic Ability - 9 / Speed - 8
Quickness - 9 / Strength - 8
Run Defense - 9 / Pass Rushing - 7
Pass Coverage - 8 / Intangibles - 8
Instincts - 9 / Pursuit - 9
Hindu Theory - Al Wilson

Powerful junior linebacker has been one of the premier defenders in the Big 12 over the ’07 season, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors. Curtis combines all the physical skills physically and mentally to be an impact performer in the NFL and is best suited for the Mike spot, though he played outside this past season. He has been a top playmaker for the Sooners since midway of his sophomore season. He is a powerfully built compact defender with excellent mobility and fluid athleticism to get to the ball and deliver bone crushing hits. He was a dominant performer over the ’07 season where he displayed game to game big play ability and the consistency necessary to lead a defensive unit.
He displays very good field speed and the instincts, savvy and quickness to read and react to plays to finish with strong tackling technique. He keeps defenders off his body, relying on his quickness and strong hand technique to stay clean and on his feet. His superior instincts and toughness should allow him to compete for a pro starting job immediately in his career at any linebacker position and in either scheme. His speed and instincts gives him the versatility to also play outside at the SAM spot where he has the COD, agility and size to match up with tight ends. He played a Wil backer role with the Sooners in a stack position often that allowed him to run to the ball and destroy runners. He is best suited for the Mike spot though, where he excelled over his HS career. He is a very active defender who is very quick to diagnose the play and takes proper angles to the ball with the ability to get through traffic and the burst of speed to get sideline to sideline. He finishes with strong tackling that allowed him to force 5 fumbles since late in his sophomore season. Despite his big tackling totals, he can overrun and miss tackles on being over aggressive and out of control at times. In pass coverage, he gets fine drops with the ability to move laterally, read the QB’s eyes and break on the play. He needs some development in coverage but shows the athleticism to matchup with tight ends and running backs. As a pass rusher, he has shown the ability to rush the QB, but he was only utilized in that role on a very limited basis. He is especially adept at the delay blitz, showing fine timing and the burst of speed to make the big play. He totaled only 1 career sack, but he has a big upside in that role. His speed allows him to make plays at the sideline with the read and react skills to be in proper position to finish the play with power. He has top recognition skills that allow him to use his quickness and speed to make the stop. He needs to develop better hand use to keep blockers off him and stay clean sifting through traffic. He has good size for the inside with the instincts, hitting power and toughness to move at the snap and flow to the ball quickly. He can defeat blockers with fine strength and quickness usually sound leverage to stay on his feet and neutralize bigger blockers. He has fine sideline to sideline range to be an impact playmaker, though he needs to be protected from bigger blockers to produce that type of performance. He has the size and quickness to take on blockers and stack and shed. He is a fierce competitor that has good awareness in his pass drops and can make plays on the ball. As a junior in 12 starts, he started 14 games and made 157 tackles with 10.5 TFL, 1 sack, 3 picks, 1 FR, 4 FF and 2 PBU, earning 1st team Big 12 honors. During the ’06 season, he made 37 tackles with 4.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 0 PBU, 1 FF, 1 FR and 0 picks in 4 starts while playing in 13 games. At the NFL Combine, he ran a 4.79 time, did 23 reps, 24.5” VJ and 8’9” BJ in a very average workout. At the Oklahoma pro day, he ran a 4.67 time, did not lift but had a 32” VJ and 9’4” BJ in a good workout. He is an attack linebacker with all the skills to become a Pro Bowl performer with some development. His limited starting time and probable positional switch to the Mike spot may minimize his early impact in the NFL, though he could easily line up at the Wil position initially and be a rookie playmaker in that role before moving inside a little later in this career. His strengths are as a run stuffer with the speed to chase to the sidelines with the potential to be a good blitz defender. He is an aggressive savvy prototypical acker, best suited for a scheme that protects him and allows him to flow to the ball, maximizing his talents. He is similar to Mike man Al Wilson in AA, speed, instincts and versatility, though a bigger and more powerful prospect. I want to compare him to Ray Lewis in many ways especially explosiveness and instincts, though he is not as fast or developed as the Ravens Pro Bowler at the same period of their careers. He has very good closing speed and fights through trash to finish with striking hits. He has the package to start in either the standard 4-3 or 3-4 sets in the middle, as well as the outside in the standard defense. Blue chip athlete with the versatility in several positions and a major playmaker in time especially at the Mike spot. Prospect with well developed skills in all areas and a probable rookie starter in the right setting. Late 1st round defender with a top 25 grade with clubs like the Bengals, Giants and Eagles very interested.
Draft Projection: 1st Round
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