Who are the top defensive backs in SEC history?

We’ve spent the last several weeks flipping through team-specific media guides, glancing over highlight film and nearly coming to blows at our home office determining this 25-member comprehensive list of the league’s best players in the secondary.

Editor’s note: The SDS staff weighed multiple factors during our SEC’s all-time defensive backs rankings process including career statistics, individual awards, importance to their respective team and the era in which they played. Official statistics were pulled from team web sites or media guides.

15.) BOBBY MAJORS, TENNESSEE (1968-71)

Majors was a multi-position playmaker during his time in the Tennessee secondary, starring at safety along with making name for himself in the return game. The two-time All-SEC standout set the single-season school record with 10 interceptions as a junior in 1970, the same year the Vols accumulated a nation-leading 36 picks.

Over his final three seasons in Knoxville, Majors tallied four punt return touchdowns and was named All-American in 1971.

According to Tennessee’s media guide, Majors at some point was the Vols’ kicker, punter, kickoff and punt return specialist and also started in the defensive backfield. He also took snaps in the slot on offense. Majors leads all Tennessee players in career punt return yardage at 1,163.

Career numbers:

200 tackles, 13 INTs (junior + senior seasons); 4 career punt return touchdowns

Individual superlatives:

All-American (1971); All-SEC (1970-71; SEC Legends Class (2011)

NFL Draft:

No. 76 overall (third round) in 1972

Defining moments:

N/A

14.) TOMMY WILCOX, ALABAMA (1979-82)

This four-year letterman who started in the secondary on the Crimson Tide’s 1978 national championship squad was a two-time consensus All-American selection and is one of only two defensive backs on Alabama’s Team of the Century.

A star Wishbone quarterback in high school, Wilcox took Bear Bryant’s advice and moved to the defensive backfield upon his arrival in Tuscaloosa since he wanted to play immediately and not settle in behind Alabama quarterbacks Steadman Shealy and Jeff Rutledge.

Wilcox’s interception against Arkansas in the 1980 Sugar Bowl was his claim to fame, but there’s several other memorable outings that defined his dominance as a player.

Career numbers:

N/A

Individual superlatives:

All-American (1981); All-SEC (1979-81)

NFL Draft:

Undrafted

Defining moments:

One year after Alabama saw its 28-game SEC winning streak snapped by Mississippi State, the Crimson Tide earned revenge thanks to Wilcox’s interception in the end zone in the closing minutes. The 1981 win for Alabama was the program’s 23rd in its last 24 tries against the Bulldogs.

13.) JOE HADEN, FLORIDA (2007-09)

Florida’s first true freshman to ever start at corner in 2007 (later joined by Vernon Hargreaves), Haden went on to start all 39 games in his career the rest of the way, developing into one of college football’s best defenders at the back end.

Cornerbacks aren’t often known for their tackling ability, but Haden rarely missed, accumulating 218 stops as a three-year player. His best season came as a junior in 2009 when Haden earned All-American honors after posting 68 tackles, four interceptions and three sacks. The Sporting News named him national defensive player of the year.

In May 2014, the Cleveland Browns made Haden the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback, giving the fifth-year pro a five-year extension worth $68 million. Haden’s $13.6 million-per-year average ousted the previous high set by Seattle’s Richard Sherman.

Career numbers:

218 tackles, 34 pass breakups, 8 INTs

Individual superlatives:

All-American (2009); All-SEC (2008-09); All-SEC Freshman (2007); Def. POTY, Sporting News (2009)

NFL Draft:

No. 7 overall in 2010

Defining moments:

Haden recorded 10 tackles and broke up two passes during the 2008 national championship game.

12.) TYRANN MATHIEU, LSU (2010-11)

Talented enough as a multi-threat playmaker to make the Top 5 of the list, Mathieu was one of the best athletes to ever play in the SEC, one of the league’s only Heisman finalists ever in the secondary.

The Honey Badger’s career was ultimately derailed prematurely by off-the-field issues, but his impact during two seasons in Baton Rouge was substantial. His 2011 campaign is arguably the most productive ever from an SEC cornerback after he forced six fumbles, had five recoveries and picked off two passes.

Mathieu’s career total of 11 forced fumbles is tied for seventh in NCAA history despite playing just two seasons. A deadly return specialist, Mathieu also returned two punts for scores during that majestic 2011 season.

Career numbers:

136 tackles, 19 pass breakups, 11 forced fumbles, 6 fumble recoveries, 4 INTs (4 non-offensive TDs)

Individual superlatives:

All-American (2011); Freshman All-American (2010); Freshman All-SEC (2010); All-SEC (2011); SEC Def. POTY (2011); Bednarik Award (2011); Cotton Bowl MVP (2010)

NFL Draft:

No. 69 overall (third round) in 2013

Defining moments:

During LSU’s 2011 SEC Championship Game victory over Georgia, Mathieu was unstoppable with an MVP performance that won’t be matched anytime soon. He recovered a fumble, returned a punt 62 yards for a touchdown and added a 47-yard return that set up another score to help the Tigers lead 21-10 after trailing 10-7. The Bulldogs never found an answer.

11.) ANTONIO LANGHAM, ALABAMA (1991-93)

One of the few SEC defensive backs to double up as a junior with the Thorpe and Tatum awards, Langham was named a consensus All-American as well after intercepting seven passes that season, setting the school’s all-time record (that still stands) with 19 career picks.

Unfortunately, Langham only played in 34 career games after he found himself at the center of an NCAA investigation during the offseason when it was discovered the shutdown corner had signed with an agent the previous year. In 1995, Alabama suffered severe sanctions after the NCAA released its findings and deemed Langham accepted improper benefits. The Crimson Tide vacated nine wins from the 1993 campaign as punishment.

Career numbers:

130 tackles, 22 pass breakups, 19 INTs (Alabama all-time leader); 2 punt return TDs

Individual superlatives:

All-American (1993); All-SEC (1992-93); Jim Thorpe Award (1993); Jack Tatum Award (1993)

NFL Draft:

No. 9 overall in 1994

Defining moments:

Langham returned an interception for a touchdown during the 1992 SEC Championship Game.