We’re continuing our 2025 SEC preseason positional rankings with one of the most important units on the field—linebackers. While there was a bit more consensus here than with the defensive line rankings, the linebacker group still produced plenty of debate among our panel. The three of us—Caleb, Craig, and Matt—each submitted our full 1-through-16 rankings, with points assigned in reverse order (16 for first, 15 for second, and so on down to 1). The results were tallied to create a composite list, and while we didn’t find unanimous agreement at any single spot, we did come close a few times.
In fact, a few ties emerged in the process, including Georgia and LSU sharing the No. 2 ranking, and Oklahoma and Texas A&M locked in a dead heat at No. 5. We also had a handful of teams that drew near-universal praise, like Alabama and Texas, both of which hovered in the top three across all ballots. On the flip side, programs like Missouri, Auburn, and Ole Miss saw much wider variance in how we evaluated their linebacker talent and depth heading into the fall. Be sure to scroll down to check out the full composite rankings and see how your team stacks up—plus where each of us stood on every squad in the SEC.
Heartland Sports Consensus SEC Linebacker Rankings
| RANKING | POINTS |
|---|---|
| 1. Texas | 46 |
| 2. Alabama | 43 |
| 2. LSU | 43 |
| 4. Georgia | 40 |
| 5. Oklahoma | 31 |
| 5. Texas A&M | 31 |
| 7. Tennessee | 28 |
| 8. Florida | 27 |
| 9. Missouri | 24 |
| 10. Arkansas | 21 |
| 11. Ole Miss | 18 |
| 12. Auburn | 16 |
| 12. Kentucky | 16 |
| 14. South Carolina | 14 |
| 15. Mississippi State | 5 |
| 15. Vanderbilt | 5 |
Individual Rankings
Caleb
1. Texas | Texas should be one of the best if not the best linebacker groups in college football with Anthony Hill Jr leading the way.
2. LSU | The Tigers are right behind the Longhorns for best linebacker units in the country, with the return of Harold Perkins Jr the Tigers will be a force to mess with.
3. Alabama | The Tide has one of the best linebackers returning in Deontae Lawson and added former Colorado linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green from the portal giving the Tide a pretty solid linebacker corps in the SEC.
4. Georgia
5. Texas A&M
6. Oklahoma
7. Florida
8. Ole Miss
9. Tennessee
10. Missouri
11. South Carolina
12. Auburn
13. Kentucky
14. Arkansas
15. Vanderbilt | Vandy didn’t make a splash in the portal at the linebacker position. It’s hard to see this group doing much of anything special this season.
16. Mississippi State | Just like Vandy, the bulldogs didn’t go get a special talent out of the portal for the linebacker group. They didn’t have a great linebacker core last year and they won’t have one again this year.
Craig
1. Texas | The Longhorns have the best linebacker in the nation in Anthony Hill Jr. He led Texas in tackles last season and will be returning in even better form. But, that’s not the only reason why they’re at the top of my list. He will be accompanied by Jaylon Guilbeau who recorded nearly 60 tackles last season.
2. LSU | The Tigers are another team with a great duo of linebackers in Whit Weeks and Harold Perkins Jr. Whit Weeks is a proven star, and if Perkins Jr. can return from injury as the same player he was before this could be a great linebacker group.
3. Arkansas | Arkansas will be led on defense by linebacker Xavien Sorey. He recorded nearly 100 tackles last season along with earning MVP honors of the Liberty Bowl. The Razorbacks have some depth as well with 5th year linebacker Stephen Dix Jr.
4. Alabama
5. Georgia
6. Missouri
7. Texas A&M
8. Oklahoma
9. Tennessee
10. Florida
11. Ole Miss
12. Kentucky
13. South Carolina
14. Auburn
15. Mississippi State | Tyler Lockhart is the most notable name in the linebacker group for Mississippi State. The Bulldogs did recruit heavily in the junior college ranks and will look for a couple of those guys to step up.
16. Vanderbilt | Vanderbilt lacks depth at the linebacker position. Their best returning player Bryce Cowan only recorded 8 solo tackles a year ago. They’ll rely on incoming recruits to fill other voids.
Matt
1. Alabama | The Tide’s linebacker room enters 2025 as the most formidable in the SEC, led by Deontae Lawson, a future NFL talent returning after a standout season with 76 tackles and 6.5 TFLs. While Jihaad Campbell’s departure to the NFL leaves big shoes to fill, the Tide restocked with experienced transfers like Nikhai Hill-Green—who’s posted over 200 career tackles across three programs—and Justin Jefferson, who added 60 stops and 6.5 TFLs in 2024. Together, this trio gives Alabama a proven, high-ceiling core in the middle of its defense.
2. Georgia | The Bulldogs enter the 2025 season with one of the nation’s most loaded linebacker rooms, anchored by rising star CJ Allen, whose 76 tackles and elite run defense grade make him a potential first-round pick in 2026. Alongside Allen, junior Raylen Wilson brings breakout potential after flashing his athleticism in limited snaps last year, and Army transfer Elo Modozie adds pass-rush punch after recording 6.5 sacks in 2024. With talent, depth, and versatility at all three linebacker spots, Georgia’s front seven figures to be the driving force behind another top-tier defense in Athens.
3. Texas | The Longhorns enter the 2025 season with one of the most dynamic linebacker units in the SEC, led by All-American junior Anthony Hill Jr., who returns after a dominant 113-tackle, 8-sack campaign that put him on multiple national award watchlists. Hill is joined by junior Liona Lefau, a steady presence who started 10 games last year and brings leadership alongside production. The Longhorns also feature explosive edge defender Trey Moore, who notched 6.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in 2024, and added Arkansas transfer Brad Spence to bolster depth and experience. With young talent like Ty’Anthony Smith and freshman Elijah Barnes developing behind them, Texas has a well-rounded, deep, and high-ceiling linebacker corps built to disrupt.
4. LSU
5. Tennessee
6. Oklahoma
7. Florida
8. Texas A&M
9. Auburn
10. Kentucky
11. Missouri
12. South Carolina
13. Arkansas
14. Ole Miss
15. Mississippi State | The Bulldog’s linebacker unit in 2025 looks deeper, faster, and more versatile than it has in years, thanks to a mix of returning veterans and an influx of new talent. Nic Mitchell leads the group with 80 tackles last season, while Branden Jennings and Zakari Tillman return as dynamic playmakers, with Tillman leading the team in sacks despite limited snaps. Though the Bulldogs lost key contributors like Stone Blanton, they’ve reloaded with intriguing transfers like edge rusher Malick Sylla from Texas A&M and speedy Nevaeh Sanders, plus traditional linebackers Jalen Smith and Derion Gullette. Junior college standouts LaKendrick James and Montrell Chapman bring proven production, while four-star freshman Tyler Lockhart headlines a strong high school class. With improved pass rush potential and rotational depth, the Bulldogs’ linebacker corps has quietly transformed into a unit to watch in the SEC.
16. Vanderbilt | The Commodores linebacker corps enters the 2025 season with quiet optimism, anchored by hybrid defender Randon Fontenette, the team’s top returning player and a legitimate NFL prospect after tallying 73 tackles, 8 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks in 2024. Supporting him are experienced contributors like Nick Rinaldi and Bryce Cowan, both expected to provide value on passing downs. Vandy is also boosted through the transfer portal, adding Alabama EDGE transfer Keanu Koht and former Longhorn Aaron Bryant to enhance their pass rush and run defense. With returning leadership and upgraded depth, Vanderbilt’s linebacker unit could be a strength on a rebuilding defense.
Follow us on Instagram
One Reply to “2025 SEC Football Preseason Position Rankings | Linebackers”