Brandon Spikes IB Ourlads All-Rookie Team 2010

Brandon Spikes was the third of three selections drafted in
the 2nd round by the New England Patriots. What Ourlads Guide
to the NFL Draft said about Spikes:

Spikes, Brandon Florida 6027 249 5.00
Three-year starter with good instincts and the tools to star on
Sunday. Collision tackler that is always around the ball.
Opponent’s game plan for him is to try and wall him off and cut
him. Had four interceptions, returning two for touchdowns in
2008. Runs through ball carrier when tackling. Active in both
the run game and pass coverage. Can run with backs in man to
man coverage. Quick to break up on the ball in front of him.
Scrapes quickly to the outside and cuts off the backs’ angles.
Works his way through traffic and can hold his ground on plays
directly at him. Tough, aggressive, and competitive. Plays with
knee bend and has the quickness to shuffle and make plays
parallel to the line of scrimmage. Strong enough to tackle the
ball carrier and the blocker. Productive with 307 tackles over
the past three years. Football smart with good work ethic and a
passion for the game. Long arms and big hands to control the
blockers. His ability to read and react quickly makes up for his
lack of track speed. Has had several tipped passes in his career
because of his savvy to get into the throwing lane. A strong
vocal leader. Did not work out at the Combine. First/second round. (A-
33 3/8, H-10, BP-DNP, SS-DNP).

2010 NFL Draft Inside Linebackers

1. McClain, Rolando* Alabama 6030 255 4.70

2. Spikes, Brandon Florida 6030 250 4.70

3. Johnson, Micah Kentucky 6021 256 4.83

4. Angerer, Pat Iowa 5114 233 4.70

Junior entry, Rolando McClain is instinctive and relentless in his play.
Sudden to read and react. A defensive quarterback. Effective edge blitzer
that also scrapes tight off either tackle to help bottle up the running game.
Brandon Spikes was slowed by a groin pull early in the year. Can play
inside or outside, depending on the scheme. Productive edge rusher. Big,
physical, and instinctive. Micah Johnson has good instincts and lateral
quickness. Has the size to fill the inside gaps. Needs work on shedding the
low cut blocks better. Stronger in the running game than pass defense at
this point. Two down linebacker. Pat Angerer is productive sideline to
sideline and has top end instincts and feel for the game. Always around the
ball. Intense and fills the running lanes with strength and gusto. Good
leader. AVERAGE

Others with draftable grades: Jamar Chaney (Mississippi State), Phillip
Dillard (Nebraska), Travis Goethel (Arizona State), Boris Lee (Troy),
Mike McLaughlin (Boston College), Roddrick Muckelroy (Texas), Darryl
Sharpton (Miami), Nathan Triplett (Minnesota), Daryl Washington (Texas
Christian), Kion Wilson (South Florida)

Underclassmen: Rolando McClain (Alabama)

Average number of inside linebackers drafted per year: 16

Brandon Spikes Florida Inside linebacker 2010 NFL Draft

Brandon Spikes is the top inside senior linebacker according to Ourlads Scouting Services LLC summer grades:

Three-year starter with good instincts and the tools to star on Sunday. Collision tackler that is always around the ball. Opponent’s game plan for him is to try and wall him off and cut him. Had four interceptions returning two for touchdowns. Runs through ball carrier when tackling. Active in both the run game and pass coverage. Can run with backs in man to man coverage. Quick to break up on the ball in front of him. Scrapes quickly to the outside and cuts off the backs’ angles. Works his way through traffic and can hold his ground on plays directly at him. Tough, aggressive, and competitive. Plays with knee bend and has the quickness to shuffle and make plays parallel to the line of scrimmage. Strong enough to tackle the ball carrier and the blocker. Productive with 224 tackles over the past two years.