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.

20.) REGGIE NELSON, FLORIDA (2005-06)

One of the hardest-hitting safeties in SEC history, this JUCO transfer broke into Urban Meyer’s starting lineup as a sophomore in 2005 before transforming into the nation’s top defensive back the following season after starting all 14 games for the national champion Gators.

Nelson tied for the national lead with three interceptions against ranked teams, earning All-American and All-SEC honors for his efforts — enough to leave Florida one year early for the draft. An above-average defender thus far in the NFL, Nelson played three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars before making his home in Cincinnati in 2010.

Career numbers:

97 tackles, 11 pass breakups, 7 INTs

Individual superlatives:

All-American (2006); All-SEC (2006); Jack Tatum Trophy (2006)

NFL Draft:

No. 21 overall in 2007

Defining moments:

Nelson picked off Darren McFadden in the 2006 SEC Championship Game during a win over Arkansas.

19.) MORRIS CLAIBORNE, LSU (2009-11)

It’s hard to believe Claiborne, a first-round pick as a lockdown corner in 2012, was a former three-star no-name who slipped through the cracks during the recruiting process, later becoming one of the best BCS-era corners.

A cover corner in every sense of the term, Claiborne was the heir apparent to Patrick Peterson and took home consensus All-American accolades, the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year honor and the Jim Thorpe Award in 2011 — the ultimate trifecta for a defensive back.

Claiborne moonlighted as a return specialist during his junior campaign and returned a kickoff for a touchdown. He finished tied for sixth in LSU history with 11 interceptions and second in interception return yards with 274 and a score.

Career numbers:

95 tackles, 23 pass breakups, 11 INTs

Individual superlatives:

All-American (2011); All-SEC (2010-11); SEC Def. POTY (2011); Jim Thorpe Award (2011)

NFL Draft:

No. 6 overall in 2012

Defining moments:

During the 2011 SEC Championship Game, Claiborne picked off an Aaron Murray pass and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown during the Tigers’ blowout victory.

18.) FRED SMOOT, MISSISSIPPI STATE (1999-00)

A two-year starter in Starkville after transferring from Hinds Community College, Smoot blanketed his side of the field in 23 career games as one of college football’s most respected corners during the 1999 and 2000 seasons. He was an All-SEC standout both years with the Bulldogs and was named a consensus All-American as a senior.

Smoot went on to play nine seasons in the NFL, most coming for the Redskins, and picked off 21 passes.

Career numbers:

55 tackles (2000 season) 30 pass breakups (career), 10 INTs (career)

Individual superlatives:

All-American (2000); All-SEC (1999-00); SEC Legends Class (2014)

NFL Draft:

No. 45 overall (second round) in 2011

Defining moments:

Smoot picked off Jesse Palmer during a win over third-ranked Florida as a senior in 2000. It was the first of back-to-back home wins over ranked teams for the Bulldogs.

17.) KEIWAN RATLIFF, FLORIDA (2000-03)

This multi-position stud and two-time All-SEC standout earned All-American status as a senior in 2003 as the SEC’s best defensive player, an in-your-face corner who had great ball skills.

During his stint in Gainesville, Ratliff set school records for interceptions in a season (9), punt return yards (860) and interceptions in a single game (3). In 49 games, Ratliffe scored six touchdowns — three interception returns, two fumble returns and a reception.

Ratliff is the only defensive back in program history to win the SEC’s defensive player of the year award.

Career numbers:

133 tackles, 17 pass breakups, 12 INTs, 3 defensive TDs

Individual superlatives:

All-American (2003); All-SEC (2002-03); SEC Def. POTY (2003); University of Florida Hall of Fame (2013)

NFL Draft:

No. 49 overall (second round) in 2004

Defining moments:

Ratliff’s career-high three interceptions against Arkansas as a senior tied the school record. He also tallied nine solo tackles against the Razorbacks and batted down three passes.

16.) COREY WEBSTER, LSU (2001-04)

Webster arrived in Baton Rouge as a receiver before switching to corner as a sophomore, blossoming into a two-time All-American and a three-time first-team All-SEC member as one of LSU’s all-time best ballhawks. A two-time semi-finalist for the Thorpe Award, Webster’s 16 career picks is second-most in program history.

Webster played nine seasons with the New York Giants as a second-round pick in 2005. He won two Super Bowls, registered 20 career interceptions and accumulated 371 total tackles.

Career numbers:

115 tackles, 50 pass breakups, 16 INTs

Individual superlatives:

All-American (2003-04); All-SEC (2003-04)

NFL Draft:

No. 43 overall (second round) in 2005

Defining moments:

Webster tied a school-record as a sophomore with three interceptions during a 36-7 victory at Florida.