Who has the best linebackers in the SEC? AL.com ranks the SEC's best linebacker situations

Who has the best linebacker situation in the SEC? AL.com attempts to answer that question by ranking each of the league's 14 teams based on how well they are stocked at the position heading into the 2017 season.

14. Ole Miss
13. Missouri
12. Arkansas
11. Texas A&M
10. Florida
9. Vanderbilt
8. Tennessee
7. Mississippi State
6. South Carolina
5. Kentucky
4. LSU
LSU loses Kendall Beckwith and D.J. Riley, but the linebacker corps should remain strong again this year thanks largely to the presence of hybrid linebacker/defensive end Arden Key, who is the top returning player in the SEC this season, according to Pro Football Focus. Corey Thompson also returns after an injury sidelined him all of last season, plus the Tigers welcome back senior Donnie Alexander and Devin White.

Projected starters (2016 stats)
Buck: Jr. Arden Key (56 tackles, 14.5 TFL, 12 sacks)
Mack: Sr. Donnie Alexander (45 tackles, one interception)
Rover: Soph. Devin White (30 tackles, three TFL, one sack)
Field: Sr. Corey Thompson (Missed 2016 season due to ankle injury)

Interesting fact
Key set an LSU single-season record last season with 12 sacks.


3. Auburn
2. Georgia
1. Alabama


My interesting fact from this is that Vanderbilt is rated higher than A&M, Arkansas and Florida. Kentucky is rated higher than A&M, Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee, MS ST and South Carolina.