Conley, 25, was one of the top linebackers in college football when he was healthy.

Williams has emerged as one of the league's top linebackers.

Hill, in his ninth season, will be one of the top free-agent middle linebackers on the market.

I'm going to be once again one of the top middle linebackers in the league.

He is considered one of the top linebackers in his class.

However, we graduated three of our four top linebackers.

He is still one of the top linebackers in the league.

A 6-foot-2-inch, 240-pound missile with bad intentions, Jones was rated the top linebacker, and perhaps the best defensive player in the draft.

At the end of last season, the defensive assistants rated Miller as one of the top outside linebackers in the game.

Traditionally, the award was given only to the top collegiate linebacker.