James Laurinaitis, 2009 NFL Draft Prospect

Middle Linebacker 6' 3" 242 Lbs. Senior Ohio State

A star hockey player that probably should have been drafted by the NHL, in high school he led Wayzata to the Minnesota 5A state hockey championship game as a senior. They (NHL) were just worried about his commitment to hockey with a future lucrative NFL contract heading his way. They should have been worried because football, not hockey is in his future. James (I am just going to refer to him as James because Laurinaitis is too hard to spell) was the winner of the 2006 Nagurski Trophy and the 2007 Butkus Award for top college linebacker, he was also named a consensus NCAA All American in 2006 and 2007 and along with USC’s Rey Maualuga, are easily head and shoulders above any other linebacker in college football.

He was named 2007 Big Ten Preseason Defensive Player of the Year by the Big Ten Media and I think most draftniks were shocked that he didn’t enter the 2008 NFL Draft, where he likely would have been a top ten selection.

Even though he played a little bit as a true freshman when Bobby Carpenter (Dallas Cowboys) broke his ankle. It was his sophomore year that he really emerged as an elite talent. As a sophomore he won the 2006 Nagurski Award as the nation's best defensive player and was a finalist for the Butkus and Bednarik awards. He was also named first-team All-Big Ten, a Walter Camp All-American and a Football Writers Association and an NFL Draft Dog All-American. James started all 13 games at the middle linebacker position and led the Buckeyes with 115 tackles, (53 solo) and recorded an impressive five interceptions.

Last season as a junior, he again won almost every conceivable post season accolade in the universe and led his Buckeyes once again in tackles. He recorded 121 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks and 2 more interceptions. James has nice size at 6’ 3” and has worked hard in the weight room to achieve 242 solid pounds. He might not be quite as stout against the run as USC’s Rey Maualuga, and he doesn’t take on blockers as well as what I would like to see, but in pursuit he is second to none and he is a solid tackle, he sinks his hips and wraps up very well, he doesn’t arm tackle, but instead tackles through the ball carrier. His strength is also in pass coverage, the NFL scouts will love the way he drops back into coverage and reads the quarterbacks, for a linebacker he gets his hands on a lot of balls. He reacts very quickly and diagnoses plays very well. James is definitely an elite prospect for the 2009 NFL Draft and he is in the top five of almost all the 2009 NFL Mock Drafts that I have seen.