SEC Linebacker Rankings



1. Alabama - Junior Rolando McClain is about as good as it gets. His instincts and athleticism, not to mention his 95 tackles and 12 tackles for loss, were a big reason why the Crimson Tide ranked second in the nation in run defense and allowed just five rushing scores, the fewest in the nation. Dont'a Hightower had an exceptional freshman season in Tuscaloosa and is a star in the making.

2. Florida - Everything starts and stops with All-American Brandon Spikes. Perhaps the top defender in the SEC, he leads a fast and athletic Gator defense. Dustin Doe is a returning senior starter and junior A.J. Jones is an athletic outside linebacker. Watch out for true freshman Jelani Jenkins. Many had him ranked as the top defensive player in all of high school football.

3. Georgia - All-SEC Junior fireplug Rennie Curran, a tough, savvy defender, leads an aggressive Bulldog bunch. Curran led the SEC in solo tackles last season and he is fundamentally sound. He is the guy you want making the stop on third down and short. Juniors Darryl Gamble and Akeem Dent both return as well. Senior Marcus Washington also has starting experience.

4. Vanderbilt - The Commodores might have the league's best duo in senior Patrick Benoist and sophomore Chris Marve. The two combined for 214 tackles and 13 tackles for loss last season. The two players have skill sets that compliment each other well. Marve come out of nowhere to have a huge freshman season, going for over 100 total tackles. Senior Brent Trice is a smart player.

5. South Carolina - The Gamecocks make this list because of Eric Norwood, an All-American candidate who has 34 tackles for loss the past two seasons. He is an underrated player nationally who pays rent in the offensive backfields of the Carolina opponents. Norwood is a star and he is a big time playmaker who USC will need to have another big year. The Gamecocks will need junior Rodney Paulk to step up.

Watch Out For - Mississippi State - The return of senior Jamar Chaney will give the Bulldogs a big boost at linebacker. He had 89 tackles in 2007 before missing all of last year due to injury. Chaney will team with junior K.J. Wright to form a solid one-two punch in the middle of the field. Mississippi State will need big seasons from these two if they hope to improve their run defense.