Gil Brandt's top five college football senior inside linebackers

The inside linebacker position has changed over the past 10 years. It used to be that NFL teams were looking for a player who could shed blocks, fill the hole and stop the run. In today's NFL, inside linebackers should be able to play all three down, which means they should be able to play in space and make plays downfield against the pass.
-- Gil Brandt (follow on Twitter @gil_brandt)

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The inside linebacker position has changed over the past 10 years. It used to be that NFL teams were looking for a player who could shed blocks, fill the hole and stop the run. In today's NFL, inside linebackers should be able to play all three down, which means they should be able to play in space and make plays downfield against the pass.

-- Gil Brandt (follow on Twitter @gil_brandt)

Mosley (6-foot-2 3/8, 230 pounds) led the Crimson Tide in tackles in 2012 with 107, which was 48 more than the next highest total on the team. He also had two interceptions. As a young player, Mosley played in all 13 games as a true freshman at Alabama. Mosley -- who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds -- is a very good leader and should be a long-time starter in the NFL. Mosley mans the weakside linebacker spot for the Crimson Tide, but projects as an inside linebacker in the pros. (Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)

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1. C.J. Mosley, Alabama

Mosley (6-foot-2 3/8, 230 pounds) led the Crimson Tide in tackles in 2012 with 107, which was 48 more than the next highest total on the team. He also had two interceptions. As a young player, Mosley played in all 13 games as a true freshman at Alabama. Mosley -- who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds -- is a very good leader and should be a long-time starter in the NFL. Mosley mans the weakside linebacker spot for the Crimson Tide, but projects as an inside linebacker in the pros. (Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports/Matthew Emmons

The 6-foot-2 1/4, 250-pound Skov was Stanford's leading tackler last year after missing most of the 2011 season with a knee injury. Skov (who sports a 4.85 40 time) is good against the run, but there are some questions about his pass coverage abilities. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)

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2. Shayne Skov, Stanford

The 6-foot-2 1/4, 250-pound Skov was Stanford's leading tackler last year after missing most of the 2011 season with a knee injury. Skov (who sports a 4.85 40 time) is good against the run, but there are some questions about his pass coverage abilities. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)

Gerry Broome

The Bullough name has been a part of Spartan football for many years, with Max as a third-generation player at Michigan State. Bullough (6-foot-3, 250 pounds) was the leading tackler on his team with 112 tackles in 2012. He is very good at taking on blockers and anticipating plays. Bullough -- who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds -- has started 27 consecutive games. (Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE)

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3. Max Bullough, Michigan State

The Bullough name has been a part of Spartan football for many years, with Max as a third-generation player at Michigan State. Bullough (6-foot-3, 250 pounds) was the leading tackler on his team with 112 tackles in 2012. He is very good at taking on blockers and anticipating plays. Bullough -- who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds -- has started 27 consecutive games. (Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE)

Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE/Jeff Hanisch

Barrow (6-foot-1, 230 pounds) was the Tigers' second-leading tackler in 2012 with 104 tackles. He is entering his third year as a starter. Barrow, who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds, is a very competitive player with good instincts. He plays a lot like former LSU linebacker Kevin Minter, the Arizona Cardinals' second-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. (Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell)

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4. Lamin Barrow, LSU

Barrow (6-foot-1, 230 pounds) was the Tigers' second-leading tackler in 2012 with 104 tackles. He is entering his third year as a starter. Barrow, who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds, is a very competitive player with good instincts. He plays a lot like former LSU linebacker Kevin Minter, the Arizona Cardinals' second-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. (Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell)

Thomas Campbell-US PRESSWIRE/Thomas Campbell

Jackson (6-foot-0 1/2, 265 pounds) looks and play a lot like former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Levon Kirkland. Jackson -- who runs a 4.8-second 40-yard dash -- is a real thumper. He is very good against the run, registering 122 tackles last year including 15 1/2 for a loss. The question for Jackson is if he can play all four downs in the NFL. (AP Photo/Frederick Breedon)

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5. Andrew Jackson, Western Kentucky

Jackson (6-foot-0 1/2, 265 pounds) looks and play a lot like former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Levon Kirkland. Jackson -- who runs a 4.8-second 40-yard dash -- is a real thumper. He is very good against the run, registering 122 tackles last year including 15 1/2 for a loss. The question for Jackson is if he can play all four downs in the NFL. (AP Photo/Frederick Breedon)

Frederick Breedon

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