None of top inside backer prospects (Ellerbe, Laurnaitis, Beckwith, and Maulaluga) for the 2009 player draft are to my way of thinking are particularly flashy in their play, but are they ever football players! If I were to make a selection today, I'd probably go with Donnell Ellerbie of the Georgia Bulldogs, but realistically I would be happy with any of the
aforementioned players.
Both Jasper Brinkley, an impressive physical specimen, of South Carolina and the undersized Brian Toal of Boston College were both injured in 2007 and subsequently red shirted. Both players draft standing could rise significantly with a solid 2008 season. Scott McKillop of Pittsburgh, David Philistin of Maryland and Joe Mortensen of Kansas are all steady contributors who should factor quickly at the professional level. Keep close tabs on California' Worrell Williams and University of Virginia’ Antonio Appleby (one of my personal favorites), two playmakers, who should be among the among the best in the country by season’s end.
| Grade |
Last |
First |
School |
2007 Stats
Solo - Assist - Total - Sack - TFL |
| A |
Ellerbe |
Donnell |
Georgia U |
53-40-93-4.5-12-1 |
| A |
Beckwith |
Darry |
LSU |
30-35-65-1.5-6-1 |
| A |
Laurnaitis |
James |
Ohio St |
51-70-121-5-8.5-2 |
| A |
Maulaluga |
Rey |
USC |
41-38-79-6-10.5-0 |
| B |
Williams |
Worrell |
California U |
57-48-105-1-8.5-0 |
| B |
Mauga |
Josh |
Nevada U |
37-45-82-1-4-0 |
| B |
McKillop |
Scott |
Pittsburgh U |
98-53-151-3-9-1 |
| B |
Brinkley |
Jasper |
So Carolina U |
15-6-21-0-1-2 |
| B |
Phillips |
Jason |
Texas Christian U |
61-26-87-2-11-2 |
| B |
Bobino |
Rashad |
Texas U |
39-30-69-0-4-1 |
| B |
Appleby |
Antonio |
Virginia U |
24-36-602.5-5-0 |
| C |
Toal |
Brian |
Boston College |
No 2007 Stats- Inj. Shoulder |
| C |
Holtzclaw |
Daniel |
Eastern Michigan U |
50-75-125-0.5-5-2 |
| C |
Joseph |
Frantz |
Florida Atlantic |
64-67-131-2.5-12.5-2 |
| C |
Nicholson |
Derek |
Florida St |
53-46-99-0.5-8-0 |
| C |
Leonard |
Adam |
Hawaii U |
54-51-105-2-11-4 |
| C |
Mortensen |
Joe |
Kansas U |
50-56-106-3-15-0 |
| C |
Rivera |
Mike |
Kansas U |
39-57-96-3-10.5-1 |
| C |
Philistin |
David |
Maryland U |
54-67-121-0-6.5-1 |
| C |
Mullins |
Clayton |
Miami (OH) |
69-74-143-4-13.5-0 |
| C |
Adkins |
Spencer |
Miami U |
23-13-36-1-3-1 |
| C |
Chaney |
Jamar |
Mississippi St |
41-48-89-0-3.5-0 |
| C |
Crum |
Maurice |
Notre Dame |
35-49-84-1-4.5-2 |
| C |
Heygood |
Anthony |
Purdue U |
47-33-80-1-14-0 |
| C |
Copper |
Jon |
Virginia U |
56-53-109-3-9-2 |
| C |
Arnoux |
Stanley |
Wake Forest |
36-30-66-3.5-7.5-2 |
| C |
Williams |
Reed |
West Virginia U |
48-59-107-1-5.5-0 |