Alabama’s 2011 defense, specifically at linebacker, is arguably the SEC’s best of the decade.

Not only did the Crimson Tide lead the nation in scoring and total defense, Alabama became the first team in BCS history to shutout an opponent, doing so against LSU in the national championship finale.

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Anchored by a jaw-dropping seven All-Americans including SEC offensive player of the year Trent Richardson, Alabama won 12 games by an average of 29.1 points per contest as one of the league’s best teams ever. Kirby Smart coordinated a staunch defense that gave up more than a single touchdown only three times all season and limited eight opponents to single digits.

The decision’s debatable, but Alabama’s rotation of linebackers in 2011 have earned the title of the SEC’s best group all-time. Look at the numbers and find another set as talented with as much depth as the Crimson Tide (*denotes starters):

  • *Courtney Upshaw, Sr., 52 tackles, 18 TFL (2011 All-American, second-round pick in 2012)
  • *Dont’a Hightower, Jr., 85 tackles, 11 TFL (2011 All-American, first-round pick in 2012)
  • *C.J. Mosley, Soph., 37 tackles (future 2012-13 All-American, first-round pick in 2014)
  • Nico Johnson, Jr., 47 tackles (former 2009 SEC All-Freshman, fourth-round pick in 2013)
  • Trey DePriest, Frosh., 25 tackles (future 2014 All-SEC, awaiting draft selection in 2015)

Consensus All-American Hightower headlined a defense along with safety Mark Barron that yielded 77.9 yards less than its nearest competitor in college football, a unit intent on keeping opposing offenses off the field and out of the end zone. Hightower racked up a team-best 85 tackles while Upshaw was a terror behind the line of scrimmage, accumulating an SEC West-leading 18 tackles for loss.

For the first time ever in the SEC and sixth time in the award’s 42-year history, teammates made up half of the finalists for the Lombardi, an award given to the nation’s best linebacker or interior lineman. The honor was ultimately awarded to Boston College’s Luke Kuechly, but Alabama’s star pair settled for All-American and All-SEC honors.

Sophomore C.J. Mosley showcased athleticism early in his career to earn substantial reps at the Will linebacker spot alongside junior Nico Johnson. Mosley would develop into one of Alabama’s best-ever at the position by the end of his career, earning back-to-back consensus All-American accolades as a junior and senior.

Mosley overshadowed Upshaw and Hightower’s career tackle numbers with 319 stops, third all-time behind Wayne Davis (1983-86) and Tom Boyd (1979-82).