Who are the top linebackers 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 tacklers.

Editor’s note: The SDS staff weighed multiple factors during our SEC’s all-time linebackers 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.

25.) BRADIE JAMES, LSU (1999-02)

A three-year standout at weakside linebacker before moving to the middle as a senior, James is one of only two LSU defenders to record more than 400 tackles in his career.

James set the LSU single-season tackle record with 154 in 2002, breaking the mark of 150 set by Al Richardson two decades earlier.While Richardson leads the program’s all-time career tackles category by 34 stops, James gets the edge with his All-American honor in 2002.

One of the Tigers’ most studious players, James also was named a national scholar-athlete.

After playing 10 NFL seasons, nine with the Dallas Cowboys, James retired before the start of the 2014 season. According to the Cowboys’ media guide, James ‘notched six consecutive 100-tackle seasons and tallied 1,009 tackles in his nine years in Dallas, making him the sixth Cowboys played to top the 1,000-tackle mark.’

Career numbers:

418 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, INT

Individual superlatives:

All-American (2002); All-SEC (2000-02); All-SEC Freshman (1999)

NFL Draft:

No. 103 overall (fourth round) in 2003

Defining moments:

As a sophomore in 2000, James recovered two fumbles and recorded six tackles as the team’s defensive MVP during a Peach Bowl victory over Georgia Tech. It was an emotional time for James who had lost his father during the same week.

24.) BOSS BAILEY, GEORGIA (1998-02)

One of the all-time greatest leapers in Georgia football history, this three-year starter at linebacker was known for his athleticism and fearless approach to the gladiator position on the Bulldogs’ defense.

The younger brother of Georgia cornerback great Champ Bailey, Boss earned the team’s defensive MVP honor as a senior in 2002 after posting his best season in Athens with a 114-tackle campaign with six sacks and 9.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. The Bulldogs finished No. 3 in the nation as SEC champions with a 13-1 record.

Bailey shares the current program record for field goal blocks with Sean Jones, finishing with three in 2002. His recorded 46-inch vertical is said to be the highest-ever for a linebacker in school history.

Bailey was named to the NFL’s All-Rookie team in 2003 with the Detroit Lions and played six seasons at the next level, recording 305 tackles.

Career numbers:

266 tackles

Individual superlatives:

All-American (2002); All-SEC (2002)

NFL Draft:

No. 34 overall (second round) in 2003

Defining moments:

One of Bailey’s school-record three blocked kicks during the 2002 season came against Georgia Tech in the regular-season finale after the Bulldogs had already clinched a berth in the SEC Championship. Labeled a trap-game by most, Bailey led a dominant defensive effort during a crushing 44-point victory.

23.) JEVON KEARSE, FLORIDA (1995-98)

Kearse earned the fitting nickname ‘The Freak’ during his playing days at Florida as a multi-position threat, later blossoming into one of the NFL’s premiere pass rushers along the defensive front.

Kearse arrived in Gainesville as a hard-hitting safety before shifting to linebacker as a redshirt freshman in 1996 and flourished at his new position, earning All-SEC Freshman status during the Gators’ national championship run.By his junior season in 1998, Kearse earned the league’s defensive most valuable player award and All-American honors after establishing a new personal high of 54 tackles and 7.5 sacks.

Kearse led his the Gators in sacks as a sophomore and junior as a feared every-down force for defensive coordinator Bob Stoops before skipping his senior season for the NFL Draft. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound monster ran a 4.58 at the scouting combine and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the first round. He went on to set a rookie NFL record with 14.5 sacks for the AFC champs.

Career numbers:

145 tackles, 34.5 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles

Individual superlatives:

All-American (1998); All-SEC (1997-98); SEC Def. POTY (1998); Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame (2013)

NFL Draft:

No. 16 overall in 1999

Defining moments:

In a 2013 interview with GatorZone prior to his induction into the Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame, Kearse said his most memorable moment with the Gators was the team’s national championship as a freshman. “We ended up losing that last game to Florida State and that kind of hurt our chances, but then three miraculous things happened. It was meant for us to win it. Fifty-two to 20, I think we showed that we deserved to be back in that game.”

22.) JOHNIE COOKS, MISSISSIPPI STATE (1977-81)

One of the Magnolia State’s best ever, you can count on your hand the number of tackles missed by Cooks during a brilliant career for the Bulldogs.

During his tenure, Mississippi State managed a few of its biggest wins in program history including top-ranked Alabama and legendary coach Bear Bryant in 1980. Cooks was a two-time All-American in Starkville, won the SEC’s defensive player of the year award in 1981 and was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame almost 25 years later.

A first-round pick of the Baltimore Colts in 1982, Cooks later won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants and finished a 10-year career with 32 total sacks.

Career numbers:

373 tackles

Individual superlatives:

All-American (1980-81); SEC Def. POTY (1981); All-SEC (1978, 80-81); Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame (2004)

NFL Draft:

No. 2 overall in 1982

Defining moments:

As a junior in 1980, Cooks posted a career-high and school-record 24 tackles in a single-game against Auburn.

21.) ERIC NORWOOD, SOUTH CAROLINA  (2006-09)

Very few players star multiple years at two positions in the SEC, but Norwood accomplished that feat for Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks during his time at South Carolina as one of the program’s most decorated defensive standouts.

The Gamecocks’ all-time leader in sacks and tackles for losses, Norwood starred at defensive end as a freshman and sophomore before blossoming into one of college football’s best linebackers in 2008, earning All-American status his final season as a consecutive three-time All-SEC defender.

Norwood had a nose for the football and also blocked three kicks as a senior. Jadeveon Clowney threatened Norwood’s school defensive records but departed after his junior season for the NFL in 2013.

Career numbers:

255 tackles, 54.5 tackles for loss, 29 sacks

Individual superlatives:

All-American (2009); All-SEC (2007-09); Freshman All-American (2006)

NFL Draft:

No. 124 overall (fourth round) in 2010

Defining moments:

In 2007, Norwood tied an NCAA record during a Thursday night win over nationally-ranked Kentucky with two fumble returns for touchdowns.