Inside Linebackers 1) Arthur Brown School: Kansas State, Sr. Height: 6’ 0” Weight: 244 lbs. 40-Yard Dash: n/a
ILB
“plays bigger than his frame” One of his three interceptions came against Baylor’s Robert Griffin III in 2011; another made victim of West Virginia’s Geno Smith last season. Some will question his size in relation to a 3-4 defense, but Brown plays much bigger than his frame suggests. He’s unafraid to take on an offensive lineman at the point or run with a tight end in space. A likely first-round pick, Brown projects as a physical and sure tackler who can fit into either defensive front.
Zach Kruse
2) Kevin Minter School: LSU, Jr. Height: 6’ 0” Weight: 246 lbs. 40-Yard Dash: 4.81 In a nutshell: Mostly a part-time starter behind eventual third-round pick Kelvin Sheppard his first two seasons, Minter took a full-time role in 2012 and ran with it.
The junior linebacker racked up a team-high 130 tackles, including 15 for losses, while adding four sacks and an interception.
Playing alongside potential high picks such as Barkevious Mingo, Sam Montgomery and Eric Reid at LSU has hurt Minter’s name recogBest game: In October 2011, No. 15 nition during the draft process, but 100 tackles, 7 TFL, 1 sack, 2 INT, 4 PBU Baylor traveled to Manhattan, Kan- don’t let that fool you; he is expected sas with a 3-0 record and the nation’s to be one of the top three or four inIn a nutshell: A highly-recruited hottest quarterback. side linebackers selected in April. high school athlete and the brother of Philadelphia Eagles running back The Bears left with their first loss Arguably the most pure 3-4 player Bryce Brown, Brown made the un- of the season, thanks in large part at his position, Minter is fundamenpopular choice in 2009 to transfer to Brown’s heroic efforts on the de- tally sound against the run and was from Miami (Fla.) to Kansas State, fensive side of the ball. The junior natural enough in space to play all mostly in an attempt to secure more linebacker tallied a team-high eight three downs in the SEC. playing time. tackles, including 1.5 for losses and The decision was a smart one. After just 17 total tackles over two seasons with the Hurricanes, Brown went on to lead the Wildcats in tackles in back-to-back years.
1.5 sacks.
In the fourth quarter with Kansas State down two points and the football in Griffin III’s hands, he picked off the eventual Heisman Trophy winner, setting up the Wildcats’ game-winning field goal.
By the end of his senior season, Brown had tallied 201 total tackles (including 16.5 for losses), three 2012 stats: 100 tackles, 7 TFL, 1 sacks, three interceptions and nine sack, 2 INT, 4 PBU passes defensed. 68 | Cheesehead TV 2013 Draft Preview
He was also voted team MVP in 2012 and has a sparkly-clean record off the field.
If a 3-4 team is given the choice between Brown and Minter this April, passing on a safer, plug-and-play option like Minter will be difficult. He was made to patrol one half of a 3-4 duo inside.
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