As the 2025 season approaches, the SEC’s linebacker talent is as deep and disruptive as ever. Each of the players listed below brings distinct traits, elite upside, and a clear path to national recognition this fall.
Whether it’s sideline-to-sideline range, blitz capability, or coverage versatility, these three check nearly every box. Coaches build defenses around them. Opposing coordinators try to game plan away from them. NFL scouts are watching closely.
Scouting the Three Linebackers Who Define SEC Defense
Whit Weeks: LSU’s Energizer Returns With Something to Prove
In 2024, Whit Weeks emerged as one of the SEC’s most consistent defenders. He totaled 125 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and several key impact plays in coverage. As a sophomore, he became the centerpiece of LSU’s defense, earning All-SEC honors and setting the tone on every down.
What stands out most on film is Weeks’ range and urgency. He moves with purpose, attacking lanes with sharp angles and finishing through contact. He rarely wastes steps, and his effort level stays high through the whistle. That consistent motor makes him one of the SEC’s top pursuit linebackers.
His agility and instincts show up in pass coverage as well, where he understands depth and reacts quickly to short zones. He closes space efficiently and isn’t afraid to come downhill and deliver a hit in the flat.
Weeks missed spring ball while recovering from ankle surgery following the Texas Bowl, but he confirmed at SEC Media Days that he has been full go since early June. While his return is encouraging, his recovery remains something to monitor once contact ramps up. At 225 pounds, he can sometimes be moved off his spot by bigger interior linemen, though film shows him frequently staying engaged with active hands and a boxing-style approach that helps him fight through blocks and hold his ground.
If healthy, Weeks should again be among the SEC’s tackle leaders. He has the potential to move into early NFL draft conversations with another complete season.
Deontae Lawson: Alabama’s Anchor Looks to Finish What He Started
Before a late-season leg injury sidelined him in 2024, Deontae Lawson had taken full control of Alabama’s defense. In 10 games, he tallied 76 tackles, 7 for loss, two sacks, and an interception. More importantly, he was the on-field voice for a Crimson Tide unit that relied on his communication and control.
Lawson plays fast because he sees the game fast. He anticipates formations, adjusts the front, and reacts quickly to motion or pre-snap shifts. His run fits are sound, and he rarely finds himself out of phase. His spatial awareness in zone coverage allows him to disrupt timing routes and challenge windows across the middle.
Listed at 6-foot-2 and around 228 pounds, Lawson combines a thick frame with functional quickness. He rarely hesitates when triggering downhill and routinely beats blockers to the point of attack.
The concern is durability. He’s missed stretches over the last two seasons, and maintaining availability will be crucial in 2025. That said, Lawson is Alabama’s most experienced defender, and his leadership will be irreplaceable in close games.
If he stays healthy, expect Lawson to contend for All-SEC and national honors. His complete skill set and proven production make him one of the top linebackers in the country.
Anthony Hill Jr.: Texas Star Poised for National Breakout
Anthony Hill Jr. enters the 2025 season with a full head of steam after a breakout sophomore year. He racked up 113 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and 8 sacks while playing a hybrid role in Texas’ evolving front.
Hill brings a unique blend of size, burst, and versatility. At 6-foot-3, 238 pounds, he can blitz from multiple angles, bend the edge with fluidity, and chase down ball carriers in space. He covers a ton of ground and shows closing speed that’s rare for his frame.
When Texas needed a big play, Hill consistently delivered. Whether it was a sack, a run stuff, or a forced fumble, he made his presence felt in nearly every game. His energy jumps off the screen, and he often sets the emotional tone for the defense.
What he still needs to refine is his consistency in play recognition. His aggression sometimes leads him to overcommit, especially on option looks or counters. When he stays patient and keys correctly, he becomes a true every-down weapon.
With Texas entering its second SEC season, Hill will continue to be under the national spotlight. If he builds on last year’s production and sharpens his reads, he has the tools to be a top NFL Draft selection and a leader on one of the nation’s most talented defenses.
What to Expect This Fall
These three players are more than just the top SEC linebackers in 2025. They represent the future of hybrid linebacker play at the college level. The SEC has long been home to the game’s best front-seven talent, and 2025 is no exception. These players represent the new standard for what a linebacker must be in the modern SEC. Explosive, versatile, and able to contribute in every phase. They don’t just fill run gaps. They make plays in space, pressure quarterbacks, and erase easy completions.
If all three stay healthy, the race for the league’s top linebacker, and maybe even Defensive Player of the Year, will come down to this group.
And when NFL evaluators watch SEC tape this fall, don’t be surprised if these three names keep showing up first.
Main Image: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
