Editor’s note: SDS is ranking the 25 best SEC players — at any position — of the last decade. Florida LB Brandon Spikes is next up in a 25-part daily series.

16.) FLORIDA LB BRANDON SPIKES (2006-09)

Urban Meyer plucked the No. 4 linebacker of the 2006 signing class from his native North Carolina despite interest from UNC, South Carolina and N.C. State, among others.

After playing as a backup to Brandon Siler on the ’06 BCS championship Gators team, Spikes emerged as the starting middle linebacker the next season just as true sophomore Tim Tebow took over at quarterback.

Spikes immediately became one of the best linebackers in the country, finishing second in the SEC with 131 tackles (and 16 tackles for loss). Despite Spikes’ physical, imposing presence in the middle of the field, the Gators dipped from sixth to 48th in the country in points allowed per game.

But the secondary solidified behind Spikes the next season as Florida’s defense roared back to fourth in the country, allowing just 12.9 points per contest. His tackle numbers slipped to 93, but he intercepted four passes and became a first-team All-American and the star of a defense that included Joe Haden, Major Wright, Ahmad Black, Janoris Jenkins and Carlos Dunlap. Spikes helped the team win a second national championship that year.

One of the nastiest players in the SEC, ’09 was uglier for Spikes, who faced a suspension for attempting to gouge the eyes of former Georgia running back Washaun Ealey. He fell 10 tackles short of leading the Gators for a third consecutive year, as he made just 68 compared to the 78 of Ryan Stamper. Spikes made fewer plays, but the senior team captain spearheaded another impressive defense that again finished fourth in the country in points allowed per game.

None other than Tebow came to Spikes’ defense during the one-game, team-imposed suspension.

“He’s very intense and very emotional and very passionate,” Tebow said, according to the Associated Press. “I think that’s what makes him part of the great player that he is because he brings that fire. People look at him and the defense wants to play for him. The offense, they want to score so it makes it easier on him.

“He brings fire and he brings juice to everybody. Without that, he would not be as great of a player as he is, and he would not be even close to the leader that he is.”

The two-time All-American was the glue of the front seven for his final three years at Florida on some outstanding Gators defenses. He’s continued to become a productive NFL player despite being a bit of a loose cannon.

Career numbers: Spikes started 39 of his 47 games at Florida, making 307 tackles. He also intercepted six passes, returning four for touchdowns.

Individual superlatives: 2007 — First-team All-SEC; 2008 — Consensus All-American, first-team All-SEC, Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalist; 2009 — Consensus All-American, first-team All-SEC, Butkus Award finalist, Bednarik Award finalist.

NFL Draft: No. 62 overall (second round) to the New England Patriots in 2010.