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.
Weeks returns in 2025 with a chance to make an All-American impact, but Weeks has stiff competition, especially in the SEC.
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.
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.
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.
Here are the SEC’s 10 best linebackers entering 2025.
10. Kip Lewis, Oklahoma
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.
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.
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.
Lewis didn’t make a big impact rushing the passer, but he was one of the SEC’s best graded linebackers in coverage.
“The ceiling is limitless,” OU head coach Brent Venables said when discussing Lewis.
9. Liona Lefau, Texas
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…
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Publish date : 2025-05-01 12:47:00
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