Top 20 Linebackers
Texas football and Malik Jefferson have been experiencing similar journeys during his tenure in Austin. The Longhorns were expected to succeed under former head coach Charlie Strong, and showed some flashes, but never reached consistency. Jefferson hasn't been bad either, but he could do so much more. The great news for both comes in the form of Todd Orlando, who followed new coach Tom Herman from Houston. If you need to know what effect Orlando will have on Jefferson, you need to go to Houston to find out. Steven Taylor and Tyus Bowser both were stars-in-the-making before Herman and Orlando arrived on campus, but they excelled under Orlando's two year leadership. Taylor had 166 tackles, 30.5 tackles for loss, and 18.5 sacks in those two years, while Bowser's production and athleticism landed him on the Baltimore Ravens in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. How does this help Jefferson? His athleticism and ability are better than both Taylor and Bowser, and with Orlando's help, he can be one of the best linebackers in the country. He already has a knack for making plays and unleashing punishing hits to opponents, and Orlando's aggressive defense will showcase Jefferson's ability more than in the previous regime. The former four star prize recruit may have been largely forgotten, but he (and Texas) will get back on the map in 2017.
PREVIOUSLY: QUARTERBACK, RUNNING BACK, WIDE RECEIVER/TIGHT END, OFFENSIVE LINE, DEFENSIVE LINE
Top 10 Outside Linebackers
1. Malik Jefferson, Texas, Jr
6'3", 238 pounds; 2016 stats: 60 tackles, 9.0 TFL, 6.5 sacks
Time to prove why he was the top recruit in the Longhorns' 2015 class.
2. Travin Howard, TCU, Sr
6'1", 210 pounds; 2016 stats: 130 tackles, 4.0 TFL, 1.5 sacks
Former safety was converted to linebacker when two starters went down early in 2016.
3. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Oklahoma, Sr.
6'2", 245 pounds; 2016 stats: 71 tackles, 12.0 TFL, 9.0 sacks
DC Mike Stoops switch to 4-3 shouldn't be too difficult for the senior to handle.
4. Shaquem Griffin, UCF, Sr
6'1", 213 pounds; 2016 stats: 92 tackles, 20.0 TFL, 11.5 sacks, 7 PD
With just one hand (left hand amputated at 4 years old), it's astonishing the things he does. Reigning AAC Defensive Player of the Year.
5. Tremiane Edmunds, Virginia Tech, Jr
6'5", 236 pounds; 2016 stats: 94 tackles, 16.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks
Are the Hokies back? Edmunds will play a large role in answering that question.
6. Lorenzo Carter, Georgia, Sr.
6'6", 242 pounds; 2016 stats: 44 tackles, 6.0 TFL, 5.0 sacks
Final year combined with Year 2 under Kirby Smart should result in a rising NFL draft stock.
7. Troy Dye, Oregon, So
6'4", 210 pounds; 2016 stats: 91 tackles, 12.0 TFL, 5.5 sacks
Struggling defense will rally around one of the lone bright spots in 2016.
8. Taylor Young, Baylor, Sr
5'10", 225 pounds; 2016 stats: 93 tackles, 9.0 TFL, 4.5 sacks
Model of consistency may need to embrace a larger role under Matt Rhule.
9. Fred Warner, BYU, Sr
6'4", 230 pounds; 2016 stats: 86 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 3 INT, 6 PD
Just the latest linebacker from BYU to have be involved in every aspect on defense.
10. Ty Summers, TCU, Jr
6'2", 235 pounds; 2016 stats: 121 tackles, 5.0 TFL
Along with Howard (2), Summers gives Gary Patterson a few things to be excited about defensively in 2017.
Top 10 Inside Linebackers
1. Josey Jewell, Iowa, Sr
6'2", 235 pounds; 2016 stats: 124 tackles, 6.0 TFL, 9 PD
250 tackles over the last two seasons spells great things for Iowa's defense.
2. Micah Kiser, Virginia, Sr
6'2", 240 pounds; 2016 stats: 133 tackles, 10.0 TFL, 6.5 sacks
Kiser and safety Quin Blanding have just 11 wins to their name in three years, but a bowl game could be a nice way to end their careers.
3. Azeem Victor, Washington, Sr
6'3", 230 pounds; 2016 stats: 68 tackles, 3.0 TFL
Missed final four game due to injury, and his presence was sorely missed against Alabama.
4. Jack Cichy, Wisconsin, Sr
6'2", 233 pounds; 2016 stats: 60 tackles, 7.0 TFL
Despite missing the final seven games, finished fifth on the team in tackles and third in tackles for loss.
5. Tegray Scales, Indiana, Sr
6'0", 227 pounds; 2016 stats: 125 tackles, 24.0 TFL, 7.0 sacks
Led the nation in tackles for loss, and has Hoosiers poised to compete in Big Ten.
6. Cameron Smith, USC, Jr
6'2", 245 pounds; 2016 stats: 83 tackles, 7.0 TFL
Had three picks two years ago, and makes plays all over the field.
7. Shaun Dion Hamilton, Alabama, Sr
6'0", 232 pounds; 2016 stats: 64 tackles, 9.0 TFL, 2 INT
Leader of the new faces on defense, but doesn't have a ton of returning starters around him.
8. Auggie Sanchez, USF, Sr
6'2", 244 pounds; 2016 stats: 116 tackles, 8.0 TFL, 6.0 sacks
Now that he's under Charlie Strong's watch, his stats could get even better.
9. TJ Edwards, Wisconsin, Jr
6'1", 244 pounds; 2016 stats: 89 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 3.0 sacks
With Cichy (4), Edwards will be a leader on the defense now that TJ Watt and Vince Beigel are goe.
10. Rashaan Evans, Alabama, Sr
6'3", 231 pounds; 52 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 4.0 sacks
Does anyone actually believe that Alabama may not be reloading? Probably not, hence why Evans and Hamilton (7) are both on the list.
