College Football: The 11 Best Linebackers of the Past 50 Years

The Eleven Greatest College Linebackers, 1958-2008

11) D. D. Lewis: Mississippi State 1965-'67, Member of College Football Hall of Fame

10) Randy Gradishar: Ohio State 1971-'73, Member of College Football Hall of Fame

9) Mike Singletary: Baylor 1977-'80, Member of College Football Hall of Fame

8) Dennis Onkotz: Penn State 1967-'69, Member of College Football Hall of Fame

7) Wilber Marshall: Florida 1980-'83, Member of College Football Hall of Fame

6) George Webster: Mich. State 1964-'66, Member of College Football Hall of Fame

5) Jack Ham: Penn State 1968-'70, Member of College Football Hall of Fame

4) Lawrence Taylor: UNC 1977-'80, ACC MVP in 1980

3) Leroy Jordan: Alabama 1960-'62, Member of College Football Hall of Fame

2) Dick Butkus: Illinois, 1962-'64, Member of College Football Hall Of Fame

1) Tommy Nobis: Texas, 1963-'65, Member of College Football Hall Of Fame

10 of the 11 are in the College Football Hall of Fame.  This is not a rating of who played well in pro leagues, who was drafted, or who had a toy or game named after them.  This is a college football player ranking of the best linebackers since 1958.

Honorable mention goes out to Willie Lanier, Jim Lynch, Brian Bosworth, Cornelius Bennett, Derrick Brooks, Derrick Thomas, Maxie Baughan, Ray Lewis, George Mira, Jr., Batman Richard Wood, Judge Jeff Davis, Killer Steve Kiner, Jeff Siemon, Rick Redmon, Tim Rossovich, Frank Emanuel, Jerry Robinson, and Chris Spielman.

Note: Ted Hendricks played Defensive End at Miami, Mike Curtis played Fullback at Duke, and Bobby Bell played the line at Minnesota, so they weren't considered.