West 2011 Preseason Rankings: Linebackers

Gardena (Calif.) Serra's Jason Gibson and Concord (Calif.) De La Salle's Blake Renaud lead the West's list at linebacker...

MIDDLE LINEBACKERS

1. Blake Renaud

Concord (Calif.) De La Salle- Committed to Boise State
Anchored California's best team to a state title as a junior.

2. Jared Norris
Bakersfield (Calif.) Centennial- Committed to Utah The defensive rock on a team with an all-American quarterback.

3. Austin Heder
Pleasant Grove (Utah)- Committed to BYU Has good sense of what to do in the middle to avoid the trash; solid athlete.

4. Rodney Hardrick

Colton (Calif.)
As he continues to bounce back from knee injury, the sky is the limit.

5. Max Hersey

Tacoma (Wash.) Curtis- Committed to Washington State
So versatile he could play any one of five or six spots in college for the Cougars.

6. Quinn Bauducco

Moorpark (Calif.)
The top middle linebacker in Ventura County has been a three-year starter.

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7. Daryl Paulo

Sacramento (Calif.) Grant
The heart and soul of a loaded Pacers defense.

8. Adam Pulsipher

Temecula (Calif.) Temecula Valley- Committed to BYU
Versatile athlete was the MVP of the BYU NFTC.

9. Cody McCarthy

Boise (Idaho) Bishop Kelly
The top prospect in the state of Idaho in the 2011 class.

10. Kawika Stant

Honolulu (Hawaii) Kamehameha
Has football speed and instincts galore; father is Kam head coach.

Next 10 (11-20)

11. Jordan Welte, Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman
12. Ben Mamea, Kahuku (Hawaii)
13. Hank Hobson, Bakersfield (Calif.) Stockdale- Committed to Arizona
14. Aaron Davis, Los Alamitos (Calif.)
15. Micah Seau, La Jolla (Calif.) The Bishop's School

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS

1. Jason Gibson

Gardena (Calif.) Serra
Plays with his hand down for Serra but can play linebacker too.

2. Devon Moreland
Los Angeles (Calif.) Salesian- Committed to SMU Rush end will end up as a backer when he gets to college.

3. Chester Sua
Honolulu (Hawaii) Kaimuki- Committed to Washington State Physically imposing; can be an impact player on both sides.

4. Aaron Wallace

San Diego (Calif.) Rancho Bernardo- Committed to UCLA
Great bloodlines for Wallace, who's one of West's top backers.

5. Corey Waller

Long Beach (Calif.) Poly
Making the move from defensive end to linebacker has been seamless.

6. Jalen Jefferson

Ventura (Calif.) St. Bonaventure
Versatile backer could even be a big safety in college.

7. Tre Madden

Mission Viejo (Calif.)- Committed to USC
One of the best athletes in the state, has played quarterback in Wildcat.

8. Shaquille Moseley

Fresno (Calif.) Edison
Central California's top linebacker prospect.

9. Woodson Greer

Gardena (Calif.) Serra
Another stalwart on a loaded Cavs defense.

10. Logan Mayes

Eugene (Ore.) Marist- Committed to Washington State
Dad played at Washington State;could grow into DE depending on how Cougars want to use him.

Next 10 (11-20)

11. Rahim Cassell, Lakewood (Calif.)
12. Lavonte Barnett, Lancaster (Calif.) Paraclete
13. Matthew Lyons, Los Angeles (Calif.) Dorsey- Committed to Washington
14. Justin Vele, Honolulu (Hawaii) Farrington
15. Donavon Lewis, Fresno (Calif.) Clovis West
16. Scott Lawyer, San Jose (Calif.) Oak Grove- Committed to Washington
17. Starr Sua-Passi, Honolulu (Hawaii) St. Louis
18. Tevita Bloomfield, West Valley City (Utah) Hunter- Committed to Utah
19. Jake Bainton, Renton (Wash.) Liberty
20. Burton DeKoning, Folsom (Calif.)