Some are known for their ability to sack the quarterback. Others are known for their instinct to read routes and pick-off passes. Yet others just always seem to be at the right place at the right time, making an impact on every play.
Yes, this is the linebacker position. And to be honest, this might be my favorite position on either side of the ball.
Depending on what defensive formation is called, a team has anywhere from 1-4 linebackers on the field at any given time. But for the sake of this article I'm going to limit the linebacker position to three spots.
So who are the best three college linebackers of all-time?
This was one of the hardest positions to fill when I first started this series.
Lavar Arrington is certainly a notable candidate from recent years. And who can forget that instinctively great timing against Illinois when he single-handily sealed the game for Penn State on that fourth-and-short play. He was after all the Butkus Award winner in '99.
Oklahoma has boasted four Butkus Awards by three players: Brian Bosworth (85 & 86), Rocky Calmus (01), and Teddy Lehman (03).
Penn State, Ohio State, Florida State, Colorado, and Illinois all have two Butkus winners each. So it seems like there is some consensus as to where the best linebackers can be found.
So here it is—the next round in this rodeo.
Which three will you choose to join the All-Time College Football Team at the linebacker position?
comments (11) write a comment »
write a new comment
2 months ago
This is impossible. So many LB's
Without taking time to think about it, I'm going to throw out one name: Derrick Brooks.
from 2 months ago
I think Derrick Brooks is a great choice. That FSU defense he played with was stacked, so his numbers are probably a little lower than his actual talent level at the LB position.
2 months ago
I agree that it is difficult to limit the field to just three, but here are my top three based on college play alone:
E.J. Henderson (Maryland) – 1st team All-American & All-ACC in ’01 &’02; ACC Defensive Player of the Year in ’01 &’02; ACC Player of the Year in ’01; Butkus Award winner ’02
Brian Bosworth (Oklahoma) – 1st team All-American in ’85 & ‘86; only two-time Butkus Award winner in ’85 & ’86; named #30 in College Football News' list of the "100 Greatest Players of All-Time"; 13 tackles and the Most Outstanding Player award in the Orange Bowl against Penn State which vaulted the Sooners to their 6th National Championship
and my last may be a little biased, but...
Derrick Thomas (Alabama) – 1st team All-American in ’88; Butkus Award winner in ’88; many school records such as: 27 sacks in a season in ’88, 52 sacks in a career, and 74 tackles behind the line of scrimmage; finished 10th in the Heisman voting;
honorable mention goes to: terrell Suggs, Lavar Arrington, and Cornelius Bennett
2 months ago
being from Nebraska, i have to throw out Trev Alberts.
from 2 months ago
Trev would be right up there with some of the top LBs of all-time, top 3 I'm not really sure, maybe top 10.
2 months ago
I wanna throw Randy Gradishar's name into the mix.
from 2 months ago
Cody, good pick. A man once deemed "the best linebacker I ever coached" by Woody Hayes. Also, one of three Buckeyes to finish in the top 6 of the '73 Heisman voting.
2 months ago
Im going way back and say Leroy Jordan of Alabama.
from 2 months ago
That is going way back - but a good choice.
2 months ago
Honestly, before I scrolled down to see the names, the first name in my head was Derrick Brooks. He was one of the select few to revolutionize the middle linebacker position, and continued to do so in the pros. He definitely gets my vote. I think Jonathan Vilma (Miami U) should get looked at, with AJ Hawk (Ohio State), LaVar Arrington (Penn State).
but here are my 3 votes:
Derrick Brooks, Florida State
Chris Spielman, Ohio State
Lawrence Taylor, North Carolina
If there were four, Dick Butkus, Illinois, would be the fourth.
about 1 month ago
Andy Spavia Tennessee
Lawrence Taylor
Ray Lewis
write a new comment