Who are the five best LSU linebackers of all time? SDS counts them down.

5. Ali Highsmith (2004-07) — LSU’s national championship defense in 2007 was nasty, Highsmith was its leader. The middle linebacker was an All-American and Butkus Award finalist as a senior, piling up a career-best 101 tackles and 9.0 tackles for loss. He also earned Butkus semifinalist status and a second-team All-SEC nod in 2006. Highsmith went undrafted and briefly played for two NFL teams.

Career stats: 229 tackles, 22.0 tackles for loss, 10.0 sacks, 1 interception

4. Kelvin Sheppard (2007-10) — Sheppard dominated in his final two years with LSU, twice leading the team in tackles and finishing his career ninth in school history in total tackles. He was a role player as a part of LSU’s national championship team as a freshman in 2007. He earned All-SEC honors in 2010 and was widely regarded as one of the best emotional leaders in school history. Sheppard was a third round pick in 2011 and currently plays for the Buffalo Bills.

Career stats: 311 tackles, 26.0 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 2 interceptions

3. Al Richardson (1979-82) — A coach’ son, Richardson was an instinctive linebacker who gobbled up ball carriers like no one else in school history. An All-SEC and All-American performer in his final season, Richardson set several LSU records, several of which still stand to this day. He had 21 tackles in a game against South Carolina in ’82 and still holds the school’s career tackles record. Richardson left school with the single-season tackles record as well.

Career stats: 452 tackles, 5 interceptions

2. Bradie James (1999-2002) — James was a four-year starter for the Tigers, playing three years on the outside before moving to the middle in his senior year. James broke Richardson’s single-season record with 154 in 2002, earning All-America honors in the process. He was a three-time All-SEC performer and finished his career second on LSU’s tackles list. James went on to a 10-year NFL career, retiring before the 2014 season.

Career stats: 418 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, 1 interception

1. Warren Capone (1970-73) — Capone was a sideline-to-sideline terror for the Tigers, taking control of the LSU defense and smothering opponents’ offenses in his four years. He twice led LSU in tackles and is one of just eight Tigers all time to earn All-America honors twice, in 1972-73, and was also named to the All-SEC team those years. Capone was elected to the LSU Hall of Fame in 1988.

Career stats: N/A