This year's NFL draft had just two linebackers selected in the first round. Tomorrow night's Ohio State-USC showdown might have twice that many first-round linebackers.Mel Kiper lists Ohio State's James Laurinaitis as his No. 3 overall prospect for the 2009 NFL draft, USC's Rey Maualuga No. 4, USC's Brian Cushing No. 16 and Ohio State's Marcus Freeman No. 21. Obviously, just because Kiper lists them there now doesn't mean that's where they're going to be drafted in April, but it's a sign of just how much talent will be on display at the Coliseum.
To my way of thinking, the best NFL prospect of the bunch is Maualuga. Most draft analysts I've seen, like Kiper, have Laurinaitis ranked slightly ahead of Maualuga, but I think Maualuga (who is listed at 260 pounds) is a more physical player than Laurinaitis (listed at 240) and a better all-around athlete.
It remains to be seen whether Ohio State-USC becomes a game worthy of the hype, but to NFL scouts, it's definitely the game of the year.
