I agree with engie that it's difficult at the moment to get an accurate read on Richie. UT has a good enough shot as any.
But I will submit this point...although UT has a very storied history with putting out NFL players....you have to START somewhere. MSU had a couple of nice runs where we put out some solid guys, no "headliners" but good all around players, most of which are still in the league.
I think we are comparing apples to oranges (no pun intended) because the 3 guys that are starting (White pre ACL injury, Chaney, and Wright) were all produced my Mullen and the current staff...
Mayo, Ayers..etc...weren't players Dooley coached or developed...
And last I checked...LB was a "blue collar" position. I know that was meant as a back-handed comment but we accept who we are, hard working, blue collar, less flash...