Linebacker has become such a specialized position, he will flourish in the NFL if he stays healthy.
By far the most important player we have had return since Golden has been here. Most everyone thought he was long gone after the season. Consider not only his talent, but our linebackers are very inexperienced around him. He is the leader and the heart of the D. Not only that, but physically we are going to see a guy that will be a man amongst boys, and that's how you win games. It seems like lately we have watched these guys get right to the tipping point of their careers, only to leave for the NFL and have their best years. We lucked out here, bigtime. Physically and mentally, this will be one of the toughest and most talented guys around. I expect a HUGE season.
He's going to struggle to even get drafted, let alone "Flourish" in the NFL. Too small to play the position now, teams want huge LBs to be able to match up with these hybrid TEs in the pass game.
Just look at the LBs that have been drafted so far this year: 6'3, 6'5, 6'1, 6'2, 6'3, 6'3, 6'5, 6'3, 6'2.
He might have a better chance at a long NFL being an Earl Thomas type. Teams don't want undersize LBs anymore, it's just not the way the league is defending.