We are over halfway through the season and conference play is in full-swing. It's time to take a look at how our preseason Top 5 picks at each position have fared and discuss some risers and fallers.
Today we look at the Linebacker position.
Preseason Top 5
1) Greg Jones, ILB, Michigan State - He's a shoe-in for All-Big Ten and leads the Spartans improved defense and the Big Ten with 69 tackles. Michigan State loves to bring pressure by blitzing Jones up the middle. He's been good at flushing the quarterback, but hasn't delivered in the sack category. Size could be an issue at the next level as well as he can get caught up in the wash when the big fellas are rolling downhill.
2) Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M - Von who? After 16.5 sacks in 2009, he has only 2 so far this year. UPDATE: Miller absolutely dominated Oklahoma in Week 10. Since this post he's recorded 2.5 sacks and four tackles for loss in the last two games. Looks like Von is back.
3) Bruce Carter, OLB, North Carolina - One of the few Tar Heels that wasn't part of the NCAA probe. Carter has been solid with 35 tackles this season, but we feel he could do more.
4) Nate Irving, OLB, North Carolina State - Irving has looked very good following the 2009 car accident. He leads the Wolf Pack in tackles with 52. He also has 3.5 sacks. Look for him to move up big boards everywhere.
5) Lawrence Wilson, OLB, UConn - Leads the team in tackles with 78 and third on the team in sacks with 2.5. Like Jones, he's a shoe-in for all conference honors.
Other Risers and Fallers
Martez Wilson, OLB, Illinois - Finally healthy, Wilson is finally living up to expectations. The Illini front seven has been stout this year and the main reason is the play of Wilson. With 64 tackles so far this season, he'll join Jones on the All-Big Ten list.
Mario Harvey, OLB, Marshall - Harvey is on pace for his third straight 100-tackle season.
Quan Sturdivant, ILB, North Carolina - The marijuana bust this summer didn't get the season off on the right foot. However, he started the season hot with 27 tackles in the first three games, but has missed the last four due to a hamstring injury.
Mark Herzlich, OLB, Boston College - Herzlich's recovery from cancer has been well documented and the fact that he's been able to play this year is nothing short of remarkable. However, he is clearly not to up to his 2008 level...yet.
* Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College / Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame - While they are not draft eligible, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the play of Kuechly and Te'o. You can't watch a Eagles' or Irish football game without hearing their name called over the loudspeaker a dozen times. They are easily among the Top 5 linebackers in the country.