The SEC returns a plethora of elite linebackers and hybrid defensive end/linebackers for 2015.

Linebackers are crucial to building elite defenses. The outside linebacker position is continuing to evolve through the years. The combination of massive 18-year-olds and elite athleticism has revolutionized the position. Take former Florida Buck linebacker Dante Fowler. At 260 pounds, Fowler can move like a linebacker and still have the ability to play defensive end and push around offensive tackles.

Coaches build defenses around players of that caliber, and several are returning for 2015.

Which current SEC linebacker do you want anchoring your defense?

Jon Cooper (@JonSDS): Curt Maggitt, Tennessee

Before you start going on and on about Curt Maggitt playing defensive end, he excelled at both in 2014. He’s one of those rare players who can dominate at the hybrid linebacker/defensive end position. While he’ll also play end in 2015 again, Maggitt has the ability to take over a game at either position. He’s good enough in space, and he’s relentless getting after the quarterback. It took him awhile to finally breakout of his shell, but he boomed onto the scene last year, racking up 15 tackles for loss with 11 sacks. That’s dominant, and with the help of Maggitt, Tennessee could have the best front seven in the SEC in 2015. Having a great middle linebacker is fine — and you can certainly win big with elite ones — but give me a rush linebacker to build my defense around. Quarterbacks and edge rushers are the most valuable players on the field at all times.

Ethan Levine (@EthanLevineSDS): Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Tennessee

I initially thought I’d be answering this question with a sound, consistent, sure-tackling inside linebacker, but upon further review my pick is Reeves-Maybin of Tennessee. The star outside linebacker is a sure tackler in his own right, recording more than 100 last season, and he’s aggressive as well, as evidenced by his 11 tackles for loss. The rising junior can make plays at the line of scrimmage and is capable in coverage, allowing him to contend for an All-SEC nod in 2015 if he stays healthy and continues growing the way he’s shown during his UT career to this point.

Brad Crawford (@BCrawfordSDS): Leonard Floyd, Georgia

I’ll take Georgia’s Leonard Floyd, an athletic tackler I’m expecting to have an All-SEC season under Jeremy Pruitt after earning team defensive MVP honors last season as a sophomore. He’s a disruptive force on the outside and outstanding in pursuit, a player with tremendous upside as a hybrid defender. In the Bulldogs’ 3-4 look, Floyd is pass-rush capable and should make countless plays this fall.

Brett Weisband (@WeisbandSDS): Kendell Beckwith, LSU

After seeing how much LSU’s defense improved after Beckwith took over the starting role midseason, it begs the question of why he was coming off the bench to begin with. The junior seems like he can do it all for LSU, playing sideline to sideline and coming up to stop the run as well as anyone. Beckwith has size, speed and a nose for the ball, and he’s only going to grow as he gets a full offseason of reps as LSU’s top guy in the middle.

Christopher Smith (@CSmithSDS): Reggie Ragland, Alabama.

There are no perfect three-down, multidimensional linebackers in the SEC this year, players who are Pro Bowl worthy in pass rush, pass coverage and against the run. All three things are nice to find in a player, but if I’m building an SEC defense, I’m starting with a physical, smart inside linebacker who can dominate running downhill against the run, and that’s Ragland. He’ll be the leader of the 2015 Alabama defense and should reach triple-digit tackles.