1. James Morris, LB, Iowa: The Hawkeyes have had no shortage of star linebackers under Kirk Ferentz. Chad Greenway, Pat Angerer, and A.J. Edds have all been studs for the Hawkeyes. Morris is a homegrown kid out of Solon, IA and will continue the tradition of great Iowa linebackers. Morris is a terrific athlete, who helped his High School win three consecutive state championships as a linebacker and running back. He recorded 70 tackles and made 6 starts at middle linebacker in his freshman year with the Hawkeyes. The fact that Morris started as a freshman at Iowa is astounding. Usually Ferentz likes to wait until his linebackers and lineman are juniors or seniors before starting, but Morris was too talented to leave off the field. With a summer in the weight room look for big things from the young linebacker from Solon, IA.
2. Louis Nzegwu, DE, Wisconsin: Nzegwu has been solid if unspectacular his three years for the Badgers, but look for a significant breakthrough this year for the talented Nzegwu. He boasts good size (6-4, 255) to go along with a good work ethic. Nzegwu's stats have improved from year to year. He has shown a knack for getting to the quarterback in his career and look for Nzegwu to get close to double digit sacks this year for the Badgers.
3. Keanon Cooper, LB, Minnesota: The speedy linebacker should be all over the field in Minnesota defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys' aggressive scheme. Cooper is no giant at 6'-0", 212lbs and came to Minnesota as a safety prospect out of Dallas Skyline High School. Cooper should be in the backfield often as Minnesota will try to manufacture a pass rush as the Gophers saw almost no production out of their front four in 2010. Cooper is the type of outside linebacker that could sack a quarterback and cover a teams best receiver downfield. He is undersized but he will make plays with his speed and athleticism. Claeys' system is tailor made for the way Cooper plays and the Gophers will reap the benefits of this perfect marriage. Cooper could become a poor mans Clay Matthews.
4. Akeem Spence, DL, Illinois: The Illini lost Corey Liuget to the NFL, but they return a future first round NFL draft choice in Spence. Spence is beast in the trenches at 305lbs and growing. He can be destructive as well. Last year Spence recorded 45 tackles, including 4 tackles for loss and 1 sack. Look for Spence to double his TFLs and sacks this year. Spence is a star in the making and he will make All B1G this year. Spence will continue to get better throughout his career at Illinois and may leave for the NFL draft after his junior year. The good news for Illini fans is Spence is only a Sophomore, so he will be in Champaign for at least one more year after 2011.
5. Orhian Johnson, S, Ohio State: The Junior from St. Petersburg, FL has been injury prone early in his career, but has all the tools to be the next great Buckeye Safety. He recorded 50 tackles last year in limited duty. This year, as a full time starter his tackles could very well double. Buckeyes head coach Luke Fickell absolutely loves the young man and thought so much of him that he invited Johnson to B1G media days in Chicago. Johnson was a phenomenal athlete in High School where he played quarterback, safety, and was the star of the basketball team. Johnson also played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Johnson will challenge for All B1G honors this year and possibly All American honors his senior year.
No comments:
Post a Comment