What the NFL Gets From Each Power-5 Conference

Sep 11, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; A statue of former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (52) stands in front of the stadium prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Linebackers: ACC

Your Mike (inside/middle linebacker) brings the whole defense together as they are quarterbacks of it. They line the defense up, make most of the tackles in the run-game and have coverage responsibility. Outside linebackers set the edge in the run-game, cover and depending on the scheme, are primarily edge-rushers.

I have to mention Hall of Famer Junior Seau, who played outside and inside at a high level. He heads the list of the many great USC linebackers that played in the NFL but that’s just one school in the Pac-12. The place to go for linebackers is the ACC, where North Carolina’s Lawrence Taylor and Miami’s Ray Lewis are from.

While Taylor and Lewis are the two best ever, eight of the 26 Hall of Fame linebackers with Lewis on the way are from the ACC. ILB Luke Kuechly of Boston College led the NFL in tackles and OLB Elvis Dummerville of Miami was No. 3 in NFL in sacks in 2014. Beasley and Stephone Anthony of Clemson are good-looking prospects too so the ACC isn’t going anywhere.

Next: Running Backs