Defenses today are constructed to shut down high scoring offenses. Having speedy, hard hitting linebackers can be the difference in winning a championship. With the emergence of wide open offenses, linebackers need to be able to stop the run, but also defend the pass.
A great linebacker must cover sideline to sideline. This week Texashsfootball.com is constructing the ultimate linebacker. Our player will be built similar to the way you would build a player in Madden Football.
1. Derrick Johnson (Waco High School, University of Texas, Kansas City Chiefs)
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Derrick Johnson was a Parade All-American and on the 1st All State team in Texas 5A in his junior and senior year in high school. During his college career at Texas, Johnson was a 1st team All-Big 12 selection in 2002, 2003, and 2004. His senior year at Texas, Johnson was Big 12 defensive player of the year and won the Butkus award, as well as the Bronko Nagurski award as the top linebacker in the country. Johnson was drafted 15th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005 and is a four-time Pro Bowl selection. He’s also been selected as an All-Pro player multiple times, making the first team in 2011 and second-team All-Pro in 2015.
2. Sean Lee (Upper St. Clair (PA), Penn State, Dallas Cowboys)
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Sean Lee was a multi-sport athlete in high school, excelling on the basketball court and the football field. In football, Lee rushed for over 1,200 yards and had four interceptions as a safety and accepted a scholarship to play football at Penn State. Lee was Defensive MVP of the 2007 Alamo Bowl, 2007 Pro Football Weekly All-American and was voted Penn State team captain in 2009. Lee was 2nd team All-Big 10 and led his team with 138 tackles during his junior season. Lee was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round back in 2010 and has been dominant for Dallas when healthy. Lee is a two-time Pro Bowl selection (2015, 2016) and was selected as a first team All-Pro player for the first time last season.
3. Von Miller (Desoto High School, Texas A&M, Denver Broncos)
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Von Miller is the top pass rushing linebacker in football. At DeSoto, Miller was both a football star and a track standout. As a senior, he was selected District 8-5A defensive MVP. Miller accepted a scholarship to Texas A&M. While at A&M, Von was a two-time 1st All American in 2009, 2010, and 2-time 1st team All-Big 12 in 2010 and won the Butkus Award as the top college linebacker following that season. Von was selected the second overall pick by the Denver Broncos. Miller is a five-time Pro Bowl selection, three-time first team All-Pro, two-time second team All-Pro, NFL rookie defensive player of the year in 2011, and Super Bowl MVP.
Linebackers set the tone on defense. They roam the field from sideline to sideline and can be a quarterback’s worse nightmare. Linebackers stuff the run and on 3rd down can drop back on cover receivers and running backs. Our ultimate player is in prime position to stop any offense in its track and win championships.
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