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NFL DRAFT: LINEBACKERS
Wake's Curry has solid case for No. 1
By Charean Williamscjwilliams@star-telegram.comRelated Content
MCT/JEFF SINER
First in a series of reports on the NFL Draft.
Aaron Curry used to have a goal of becoming a lawyer. Somewhere around his junior season, the Wake Forest linebacker decided he wanted to practice a different kind of defense.
Curry is being called “the safest pick” in the NFL Draft. He has the build (6-foot-2, 254 pounds), the speed (4.52), the pedigree (his father, Reggie, played in the NFL for five seasons) and the durability (having never missed a game for injury) to be a productive player in the NFL for a long time. He also already has a sociology degree, and he has no off-field concerns.
“What jumps out at you is that, No. 1, he’s a really fine young man, and No. 2, he’s really smart,” said Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz, whose team has the No. 1 overall pick.
Wake Forest never has had a player go first in the NFL Draft, and the last linebacker selected No. 1 overall was Auburn’s Aundray Bruce in 1988 by the Atlanta Falcons.
The Lions are expected to select Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford, Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith or Curry with the top choice.
Curry is that special to be included in the conversation. He made 101 tackles, including 15 for loss, and 2 1/2 sacks, recovered three fumbles and had an interception last season in winning the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he had a 37-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot, 4-inch broad jump.
Schwartz said he’s never seen a linebacker “who’s played so many different positions.” Curry can play strongside linebacker or middle linebacker in the 4-3, or inside or outside in the 3-4.
The Lions would use Curry at middle linebacker in their 4-3.
“We all want to be the No. 1 pick overall, but it’s all going to go on what Detroit needs, as far as their personnel,” Curry said. “It would be great to go No. 1 overall, and Detroit knows that in Aaron Curry, they’d get a great linebacker, a great person. I mean, what more can you ask for?”
Overview
The position has blue-chip players and depth. Wake Forest’s Aaron Curry might be the safest pick in the draft and is expected to go in the top three picks. No school ever has sent three linebackers into the NFL as first-round picks, but USC could do that this year with Brian Cushing, Rey Maualuga and Clay Matthews.
USC has a fourth linebacker, Kaluka Maiava, who will be drafted in the middle rounds.
Maualuga is the top inside linebacker. Ohio State ILB James Laurinaitis also could be a first-round choice.
Top 5
Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest, 6-2, 254, 4.52, He is the safest pick in the draft, having won the Butkus Award last season with 101 tackles and 15 tackles for loss.
Clay Matthews, OLB, USC, 6-3, 240, 4.62, The former walk-on had 56 tackles and 4 1/2 sacks last season.
Brian Cushing, OLB, USC, 6-3, 243, 4.64, He has had to defend himself against steroid rumors.
Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC, 6-2, 249, 4.81, He had a team-high 79 tackles, four pass deflections and two interceptions in 12 games.
James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State, 6-2, 244, 4.76, He made 366 career tackles but few game-changing plays.
Sleeper
Lee Robinson, OLB, Alcorn State, 6-2, 249, 4.71, The four-year starter had 223 tackles, including 33 1/2 for loss, in his career.
Texas ties
Jason Phillips, ILB, TCU, 6-1, 239, 4.60, Despite recent knee surgery, Phillips, who had 325 career tackles, including 38 1/2 for loss, is expected to go somewhere around the fourth round.
Phillip Hunt, OLB, Houston, 6-1, 244, 4.72, He had 107 tackles, 36 1/2 for loss, 25 sacks and five forced fumbles his last two seasons.
Stephen Hodge, OLB, TCU, 6-0, 234, 4.59, He played safety most of his career, making eight sacks as a junior.
Source: Heights, weights and 40 times were compiled from NFL Draft Scout.
Wake's Curry has solid case for No. 1
By Charean Williamscjwilliams@star-telegram.comRelated Content
MCT/JEFF SINER
First in a series of reports on the NFL Draft.
Aaron Curry used to have a goal of becoming a lawyer. Somewhere around his junior season, the Wake Forest linebacker decided he wanted to practice a different kind of defense.
Curry is being called “the safest pick” in the NFL Draft. He has the build (6-foot-2, 254 pounds), the speed (4.52), the pedigree (his father, Reggie, played in the NFL for five seasons) and the durability (having never missed a game for injury) to be a productive player in the NFL for a long time. He also already has a sociology degree, and he has no off-field concerns.
“What jumps out at you is that, No. 1, he’s a really fine young man, and No. 2, he’s really smart,” said Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz, whose team has the No. 1 overall pick.
Wake Forest never has had a player go first in the NFL Draft, and the last linebacker selected No. 1 overall was Auburn’s Aundray Bruce in 1988 by the Atlanta Falcons.
The Lions are expected to select Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford, Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith or Curry with the top choice.
Curry is that special to be included in the conversation. He made 101 tackles, including 15 for loss, and 2 1/2 sacks, recovered three fumbles and had an interception last season in winning the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he had a 37-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot, 4-inch broad jump.
Schwartz said he’s never seen a linebacker “who’s played so many different positions.” Curry can play strongside linebacker or middle linebacker in the 4-3, or inside or outside in the 3-4.
The Lions would use Curry at middle linebacker in their 4-3.
“We all want to be the No. 1 pick overall, but it’s all going to go on what Detroit needs, as far as their personnel,” Curry said. “It would be great to go No. 1 overall, and Detroit knows that in Aaron Curry, they’d get a great linebacker, a great person. I mean, what more can you ask for?”
Overview
The position has blue-chip players and depth. Wake Forest’s Aaron Curry might be the safest pick in the draft and is expected to go in the top three picks. No school ever has sent three linebackers into the NFL as first-round picks, but USC could do that this year with Brian Cushing, Rey Maualuga and Clay Matthews.
USC has a fourth linebacker, Kaluka Maiava, who will be drafted in the middle rounds.
Maualuga is the top inside linebacker. Ohio State ILB James Laurinaitis also could be a first-round choice.
Top 5
Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest, 6-2, 254, 4.52, He is the safest pick in the draft, having won the Butkus Award last season with 101 tackles and 15 tackles for loss.
Clay Matthews, OLB, USC, 6-3, 240, 4.62, The former walk-on had 56 tackles and 4 1/2 sacks last season.
Brian Cushing, OLB, USC, 6-3, 243, 4.64, He has had to defend himself against steroid rumors.
Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC, 6-2, 249, 4.81, He had a team-high 79 tackles, four pass deflections and two interceptions in 12 games.
James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State, 6-2, 244, 4.76, He made 366 career tackles but few game-changing plays.
Sleeper
Lee Robinson, OLB, Alcorn State, 6-2, 249, 4.71, The four-year starter had 223 tackles, including 33 1/2 for loss, in his career.
Texas ties
Jason Phillips, ILB, TCU, 6-1, 239, 4.60, Despite recent knee surgery, Phillips, who had 325 career tackles, including 38 1/2 for loss, is expected to go somewhere around the fourth round.
Phillip Hunt, OLB, Houston, 6-1, 244, 4.72, He had 107 tackles, 36 1/2 for loss, 25 sacks and five forced fumbles his last two seasons.
Stephen Hodge, OLB, TCU, 6-0, 234, 4.59, He played safety most of his career, making eight sacks as a junior.
Source: Heights, weights and 40 times were compiled from NFL Draft Scout.