2008 Woodie Awards
'Linebacker U' ready to send new crop off to NFL
Genaro C. Armas (AP)
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: Sports
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Few programs can compete with Penn State's reputation as "Linebacker U." The Nittany Lions boast LaVar Arrington, Shane Conlan and Jack Ham among its NFL alumni.
Miami, Southern California and Illinois have plenty of tradition, too.
Now, they're all ready to send a new crop of 'backers to the pros.
The Hurricanes might be the most prolific school in recent years, with top prospect Tavares Gooden set to join Ray Lewis, Dan Morgan, Jonathan Vilma, D.J. Williams, Rocky McIntosh, Leon Williams and Jon Beason in the NFL.
USC's Keith Rivers sits atop most analysts' lists as the best prospect at the position. Illinois' J Leman is trying to work his way back from an ankle injury that's limited him in the offseason.
The Nittany Lions' Dan Connor, meantime, has the impressive hardware - the 2007 Bednarik Award as the nation's best defensive player.
It doesn't hurt that Connor comes from a school with one of the best reputations at developing linebackers, said Gil Brandt, an NFL scouting consultant and former personnel director for the Dallas Cowboys.
While a program's long-standing reputation of producing talent at a particular position shouldn't affect the pro prospects of players from that school, it usually does, he said.
"But the point is, they recruit good players (at linebacker), and in recruiting those players, they develop those players," Brandt said of Penn State.
Coach Joe Paterno has had a nice stretch of exceptional talent lately. Connor follows two-time Bednarik winner Paul Posluszny, a second-round pick last year by the Buffalo Bills. Connor has since supplanted Posluszny as Penn State's career tackles leader.
Workout days coupled with flights all over the country to visit with teams have kept Connor busy leading up to Saturday's draft. He could be a first- or early second-round pick.
"After Jan. 1, it was all business trips," Connor said. "It's a tough process, always in limbo, thinking about where you are going to, what team you want to play for."
Miami, Southern California and Illinois have plenty of tradition, too.
Now, they're all ready to send a new crop of 'backers to the pros.
The Hurricanes might be the most prolific school in recent years, with top prospect Tavares Gooden set to join Ray Lewis, Dan Morgan, Jonathan Vilma, D.J. Williams, Rocky McIntosh, Leon Williams and Jon Beason in the NFL.
USC's Keith Rivers sits atop most analysts' lists as the best prospect at the position. Illinois' J Leman is trying to work his way back from an ankle injury that's limited him in the offseason.
The Nittany Lions' Dan Connor, meantime, has the impressive hardware - the 2007 Bednarik Award as the nation's best defensive player.
It doesn't hurt that Connor comes from a school with one of the best reputations at developing linebackers, said Gil Brandt, an NFL scouting consultant and former personnel director for the Dallas Cowboys.
While a program's long-standing reputation of producing talent at a particular position shouldn't affect the pro prospects of players from that school, it usually does, he said.
"But the point is, they recruit good players (at linebacker), and in recruiting those players, they develop those players," Brandt said of Penn State.
Coach Joe Paterno has had a nice stretch of exceptional talent lately. Connor follows two-time Bednarik winner Paul Posluszny, a second-round pick last year by the Buffalo Bills. Connor has since supplanted Posluszny as Penn State's career tackles leader.
Workout days coupled with flights all over the country to visit with teams have kept Connor busy leading up to Saturday's draft. He could be a first- or early second-round pick.
"After Jan. 1, it was all business trips," Connor said. "It's a tough process, always in limbo, thinking about where you are going to, what team you want to play for."
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