Meet the SEC’s Most Explosive Linebackers of 2025—Who’s Ready to Dominate the Season?
When it comes to SEC linebackers, 2024 introduced us to a sophomore who quickly became the heartbeat of LSU’s defense—Whit Weeks. If you caught even a glimpse of his tackles and relentless pursuit in Blake Baker’s scheme, you know exactly what I mean. Weeks helped plug a leaky spot that had haunted LSU for years, making big plays with that combination of youthful grit and smarts. Now, stepping into 2025, he’s got the chance to truly etch his name into All-American lore. But don’t get it twisted—this league is stacked with linebacker talent returning, and the competition? Fierce as ever.
You remember Dane Brugler from The Athletic? He’s already got three SEC linebackers penciled into his 2026 mock draft, two of them shooting straight for the top 15 picks. So yes, the middle linebacker spot isn’t just important—it’s pivotal. We’re zeroing in on those classic, in-the-thick-of-it linebackers here, the ones stopping runs, reading offenses like an open book, and keeping that middle of the field locked down without overloading the box.
So buckle up—as we peel back the layers and countdown the top 10 returning linebackers in the SEC for 2025. Trust me, some of these names will surprise you… and others will reaffirm why this conference is the gold standard for defensive dominance.
After being carted off the field in LSU’s bowl win, Weeks missed the spring with an injury but will be healthy for the 2025 campaign.Wilson’s stop rate of 12.8% leads all returning SEC linebackers. The five-star recruit was not a full-time starter, but took a massive leap in 2024.Lewis didn’t make a big impact rushing the passer, but he was one of the SEC’s best graded linebackers in coverage.Spence transferred from Arkansas after the 2024 season. With the Razorbacks, he posted an 83.3 run defense grade, per PFF. Spence sacked the QB five times in 2024. The only linebacker with more on this list is Spence’s new teammate Anthony Hill.
A handful of difference makers return at middle linebacker in the SEC. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler had three SEC linebackers in his first 2026 mock draft, including two in the top 15.The Aggies have a shot at a top notch linebacker core in 2025, York being the leader of that group.
10. Kip Lewis, Oklahoma
I thought about putting Allen in the top spot, but No. 2 isn’t too shabby.
Allen has 33 career pressures and came up with an interception in 2024.Lawson has good size — he fits the mold of your classic middle linebacker.
LSU fans may shake their head at Weeks being No. 4, but he has a chance to be No. 1 on this list by the end of the year.In this era, having a do-it-all linebacker in the middle of your defense pays. You can stop the run without having to load the box and protects the middle of the field in the passing game.
9. Liona Lefau, Texas
Trotter should be one of the league’s top tacklers and can impact the game in a variety of ways. Missouri got a good one.
Georgia fans should expect another step from the talented defender this fall as Wilson looks to join a legacy of elite UGA linebackers.He’s played a lot of football and already has over 1,000 snaps after just two years of college football.Texas’ linebacking core is the best in the SEC and Lefau is one of three Longhorns on this list.
8. Taurean York, Texas A&M
Weeks made 56 stops in 2024, that leads all returning linebackers in the SEC. You can say the same thing about his 25 presssures. It’s hard to find a returning linebacker with better production.Trotter is the only linebacker transfer from outside the SEC to make this list. Per the On3 Industry Rankings, Trotter is the No. 2 linebacker in the transfer class and he was the top linebacker signed by an SEC team.I may be alone in having Spence this high on the list, given there’s a chance he doesn’t even start, but the numbers back it up.
7. Josiah Trotter, Missouri
Lewis is entering his fourth year of college football and started every game for Oklahoma in 2024. As a redshirt freshman in 2023, he saw 358 snaps. He’s experienced.Lawson will have 2,000 snaps under his belt by the end of the 2025 season, making him one of the SEC’s most experienced players. 2025 will be his fifth-year of college football and Alabama is glad to have him back.Hill isn’t just one of the best linebackers in the SEC, he’s one of the best players in the country. He’s the definition of a difference maker and has a chance to be a top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
6. Raylen Wilson, Georgia
“The ceiling is limitless,” OU head coach Brent Venables said when discussing Lewis.Weeks returns in 2025 with a chance to make an All-American impact, but Weeks has stiff competition, especially in the SEC.
According to PFF, Allen posted a defensive grade of 73.6, which ranks No. 4 among returning SEC linebackers. He doesn’t have the size that some other players on this list do, but Allen’s talent and athleticism make up for it.
5. Brad Spence, Texas
Hill’s three forced fumbles led all SEC linebackers and only Weeks totaled more pressures among returning SEC LBs.York’s 26 run stops rank No. 4 among returning SEC linebackers. His pass rush adds another dimension to his game, too, with 21 pressures in 2024.Today, we’ll rank the top 10 returning linebackers in the SEC. For the purposes of our list, we’ll look at classic middle linebackers, not guys that get a ton of reps rushing off the edge.
4. Whit Weeks, LSU
He’s racked up 102 stops and six sacks over the last two seasons. Playing over 1,000 snaps since 2023, Lawson’s only missed 10 tackles in that span.
LSU football’s Whit Weeks emerged on the scene in 2024 as one of the top linebackers in the SEC. The sophomore was a key piece in Blake Baker’s defense, helping to stabilize a position that had been inconsistent for LSU over the last few seasons.Lefau took a big step forward in 2024 and by all accounts, he made a strong impression in spring practice.Lefau’s stop rate of 9.9% ranks No. 7 among returning SEC linebackers.
3. Deontae Lawson, Alabama
Hill’s athleticism and speed allow him to take his time and see the play develop. There were occasional struggles with taking on blocks, but Hill usually has the tools to get to the gap first.According to PFF, Lewis’ average depth of tackle was made just 2.5 yards from the line of scrimmage. That ranks No. 4 among returning SEC linebackers.
2024 was Weeks’ first year seeing real time, and his aggressive play led to the occasional mistake, but Weeks made up for it with his big plays.
2. CJ Allen, Georgia
York plays sound football and rarely misses tackles. He’s played nearly 1,300 snaps in two years at Texas A&M and looks like a budding star.Here are the SEC’s 10 best linebackers entering 2025.Trotter started every game with West Virginia last fall. He made 40 stops and notched 12 pressures. He came up with a sack and picked off a pass, too.Wilson recorded 28 stops with a sack, pass breakup, and forced fumble.
1. Anthony Hill, Texas
Spence’s average depth of tackle was 2.1 yards, and his stop rate was 10.5%. Both marks rank top five on this list.
Oklahoma is losing Danny Stutsman, who was one of the best run-thumpers in college football last year. With Stutsman gone, Lewis will emerge as a star.He’s athletic, and Texas will move him around. He’s not a huge pass rush threat, but he broke up three passes and notched an interception in coverage.
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