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Derrick Johnson OLB Texas 6’4 230
By: Robert Davis

Derrick Johnson may be the most explosive linebacker in the past few years in college football. He routinely makes big plays, and has done so all four years at Texas. Last year as a junior, Johnson racked up 125 tackles with 20 of them for loss, 2 sacks, 4 INT, and 9 pass break ups. His 3 year totals at Texas are amazing: 328 tackles, 46 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 8 INT, and 22 pass break ups.

There aren’t too many linebackers out there that possess the type of physical ability and all around ability on the football field that Johnson has. Johnson is tall, and extremely athletic. He plays sideline to sideline, and has excellent closing speed. He can drop into coverage with ease, and has the ability to make plays on the football in coverage. He is also very good at moving forward towards the passer or stuffing the run. Johnson just has a nose for the football, and is in on every play. He is the type of all around LB every team wishes they could have.


The biggest weakness with Johnson’s game is that he needs to get stronger. He still has a lanky frame, and looks to have the ability to bulk up over 240 with ease and not lose any speed. His lack of bulk shows at times in the run game when it comes to fighting off blockers. He has improved on this during his senior season, but he can still be taken out of the plays.

Johnson is about as good a LB prospect as you will find. He looks a lot like LaVar Arrington did at Penn St, and he has the frame to bulk up like LaVar has. If linebackers were put at more of a premium, Johnson could be the first player taken off the board. It looks like he is a Top 10 lock at this point, with a very good chance of getting taken in the Top 5.


Ahmad Brooks LB Virginia 6’4 249 Soph
By: Robert Davis

Ahmad Brooks was one of the elite recruits in the country three years ago, and he may have already exceeded expectations in just two seasons of playing time. Brooks is draft eligible because he spent a year after high school at Hargrave Military Academy. During his freshman season, Brooks set a UVa freshman record with 117 tackles with 10 of them for loss, 4 sacks and 6 pass breakups. This season, as a sophomore, he has had another fine season, being named one of three finalists for the Butkus award. Brooks’ father, Perry, played for the Washington Redskins.

Ahmad Brooks is a physical specimen. He’s got awesome size, he’s a great athlete, he’s fast, and he’s strong. You may not be able to create a better looking linebacker than Brooks. On the field, he can do it all. He can drop back into coverage, he can weed through traffic and stuff the run, and he can get up field after the passer. Brooks is very versatile on the field; having the ability to play inside or out, and possessing the size to be a 3rd down pass rusher on the line. He has even lined up as a kick returner, averaging 27.5 yards on 2 returns in 2004.


There aren’t many negatives with Brooks. The obvious one is experience, as he has only played two seasons at the college level. Even that may be overrated, as he played at Hargrave for a year, and he has started every game he’s played in during his two years at Virginia.

Ahmad Brooks is a great prospect, whenever he declares. He should be a Top 20 pick if he declares this year. With his size, athleticism, and versatility, it’s hard to not see Brian Urlacher. Brooks is that type of talent, and he’s going to be an excellent NFL linebacker.