SEC Football Top 150 Players: No. 126 D.T. Shackelford, Ole Miss LB

The SEC Blog will be counting down the top 150 players in the SEC every day, concluding on August 30 at the start of the college football regular season.

No. 126: D.T. Shackelford, No. 42, Linebacker, Ole Miss

2011 Stats: Did not play

Strengths

Shackelford is an established star in the SEC. In 2010, he led the Rebels in sacks (five) and quarterback hurries (three) and finished with nine tackles-for-loss. He is quick off the snap and has a nose for the football. He was slated to be one of the stars of Ole Miss' defense last season before an ACL injury last spring knocked him out of action.

Weaknesses

There is always concern with anybody coming off of an ACL injury. In Shackelford's case, he's actually had two surgeries on that knee, which should raise even more questions. Assuming he's healthy, there will still be some rust to knock off before he gets back to full speed.

2012 Prediction

Shackelford missed all of spring practice, but new head coach Hugh Freeze expects him to be back for the start of the season. If he's healthy, he will be one of the stars of the Rebel defense along with linebacker-turned-defensive end C.J. Johnson.

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