So far, here’s where the Vols’ units have ranked in the SEC heading into the 2020 season:
- Quarterbacks, No. 4
- Running backs, No. 4
- Wide receivers, No. 10
- Offensive line, No. 2
- Defensive line, No. 2
Today, we’ll look at the linebackers.
2020 SEC Linebacker Rankings
 | The Georgia Bulldogs didn’t just have the SEC’s best defense last season, they had the nation’s third-best defense, holding opponents to an average of only 276 yards per game. That accomplishment was due in large part to an elite linebacking corps, and most of it is back for more this fall. They’ll miss Tae Crowder, but there’s an entire fleet of elite guys returning, including starters Monty Rice and Azeez Ojulari. They also added MJ Sherman (GSEC25) to the mix this year. | ||||
| 2019 Total Defense (in yards per game) | Returning Production | Unit Recruiting Ranking | |||
| 1 | Sacks | TFLs | Tackles | ||
| 276 | 17.5 | 26 | 248 | 1 |
 | 2019 Total Defense (in yards per game) | Returning Production | Unit Recruiting Ranking | The Aggies return 99% of their linebacker production in 2020, including Anthony Hines III and Buddy Johnson. | ||
| Sacks | TFLs | Tackles | ||||
| 2 | 340 | 5 | 25.5 | 185 | 6 | |
 | 2019 Total Defense (in yards per game) | Returning Production | Unit Recruiting Ranking | Kash Daniel is gone, but this unit is in good hands with starters DeAndre Square and Jamar Watson leading the way. | ||
| Sacks | TFLs | Tackles | ||||
| 3 | 322 | 12 | 26 | 223 | 8 | |
 | 2019 Total Defense (in yards per game) | Returning Production | Unit Recruiting Ranking | Auburn returns 94% of its linebacker production this fall, including K.J. Britt, Zakoby McClain, and Owen Pappoe. | ||
| Sacks | TFLs | Tackles | ||||
| 4 | 337 | 6 | 28 | 230 | 7 |
| Rank | Team | 2019 Total Defense (in yards per game) | Returning Production | Unit Recruiting Ranking | ||
| Sacks | TFLs | Tackles | ||||
| 5 | Florida | 305 | 17.5 | 31.5 | 190 | 4 |
| 6 | Alabama | 324 | 6 | 20.5 | 198 | 2 |
| 7 | Missouri | 312 | 1.5 | 12.5 | 185 | 14 |
| 8 | Tennessee | 334 | 7.5 | 18.5 | 166 | 5 |
| 9 | Mississippi | 417 | 12 | 27.5 | 260 | 13 |
| 10 | LSU | 344 | 5.5 | 9 | 85 | 3 |
| 11 | Vanderbilt | 437 | 9.5 | 29.5 | 277 | 10 |
| 12 | Arkansas | 451 | 2.5 | 14 | 174 | 9 |
| 13 | Mississippi State | 399 | 1.5 | 6 | 97 | 10 |
| 14 | South Carolina | 393 | 1.5 | 16 | 170 | 12 |
Additional comments
There’s not much to see here for Vols fans except to note that replacing Daniel Bituli and Darrell Taylor is probably Job One for the defense this season.
You may recall that we have Georgia’s defensive line ranked No. 1, too, adding fuel to our belief that as good as the Bulldogs’ defense was last year, it could be even better this year. It’s also interesting to note that Georgia’s sacks generally come from the ‘backers rather than the linemen.
Oh, and look. There’s Kentucky again.
Your thoughts
What do y’all think? Where did we get it right? Where are we wrong?
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I guess those rankings are pretty fair. surprised Kentucky is ranked that high and what do you mean there is Kentucky again. Our running backs are ranked number two according to you our offensive line should be higher. last year they set records for most rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in a season in school history. Lynn Bowden WR/QB led SEC in rushing and only ran the ball eight games going 6-2. they were a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award goes to the nations top offensive line and led power 5 schools in rushing yards per game at nearly… Read more »
What I mean by “there’s Kentucky again” is that the Wildcats keep showing up high on our lists when we run the numbers, which is why I think they’re both good and getting better, at least more so than most are giving them credit for.