The Best Linebackers in College Football History

Linebackers are arguably the most feared players on the defense. They can instantly change a game with a brutal hit or cause a turnover.

There have been countless outstanding LBs in CFB history, and we want to spotlight them. Here is our list of the best linebackers in college football history.

10 Patrick Willis: Ole Miss, 2003-2005

• Total Tackles: 355
• Tackles For Loss: 33
• 2006 Butkus Award Winner
• 14 Tackles Against Alabama in 2006

Ole Miss Great Patrick Willis is starting our list of the best linebackers in college football history. Patrick was a physical specimen going into college who was destined for great things. 

During his college career, Willis recorded 355 tackles and 33 for losses. His best performance came in an upset win against Alabama, where he recorded 14 tackles.

This epic performance helped Willis win the 2006 Butkus Award and later get drafted by the San Francisco 49ers.

9 LaVar Arrington: Penn State: 1997-1999

• Total Tackles: 319
• Tackles For Loss 45
• 1999 Butkis & Chuck Bednarik Winner
• “The Leap”

From 1997 to 1999, Penn State’s LaVar Arrington was the best linebacker in college football. Arrington was the anchor on Paterno’s defense and helped them become a top-ranked team.

During his college career, LaVar recorded 319 tackles and 45 for losses. His best year came in 1999 when he simultaneously won the Butkis and Chuck Bednarik awards.

However, Arrington is most known for his famous leap over the Illinois O-line to tackle the running back. It is considered by many as the greatest defensive play in college football history.

8 Ray Lewis: Miami, 1993 to 1995

• Total Tackles: 393
• Tackles For Loss: 25
• 81 Tackles Freshman Season
• 17-Tackle Game vs. Virginia Tech

The great Ray Lewis is a must-add to the list of the best linebackers in college football history. Before becoming the Baltimore Ravens’ face, Lewis made a name for himself at Miami.

Ray put the college football world on notice during his freshman year when he recorded 81 tackles. He continued terrorizing offenses throughout his college career, as he recorded 393 total tackles. 

His best performance came against Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl, where he recorded 17 tackles and one INT.

7 A.J. Hawk: Ohio State, 2002-2005

• Total Tackles: 394
• Tackles For Loss: 41
• 2005 Lombardi Award Winner
• 2005 Fiesta Bowl MVP

During the 2005 Heisman Race, A.J. Hawk was right there with Reggie Bush and Vince Young. Hawk was a game-changer for the hard-nosed Ohio State defense. 

During Hawk’s four seasons as the leader of the OSU defense, he recorded 394 tackles. Of those 394 tackles, 41 were for losses.

A.J.’s talent led him to win the 2005 Lombardi Award and the MVP of the Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame.

6 Jack Lambert: Kent State, 1971-1973

• Total Tackles: 593(Unofficially)
• 1972 MAC DPOTY
• 1972 Tangerine Bowl MVP
• 29 Tackles vs. Toledo

If you’re going to list the best linebackers in college football history, Jack Lambert must be mentioned. Lambert defined old-school grit and was as mean as they come.

The legendary LB was the team captain at Kent State from 1971-1973, during which time he terrorized offenses. He unofficially recorded 593 tackles, which included 29 vs. Toledo, and helped lead Kent State to their best seasons.

Jack won the MAC DPOTY Award in 1972 and Tangerine Bowl MVP honors. Lambert went on to become an NFL Hall of Famer, who led the famous Steel Curtain Steeler defense.

5 Luke Kuechly: Boston College, 2009-2011

• Total Tackles: 532(Official NCAA Record)
• Tackles For Loss: 35.5
• 2x Butkus Award Winner
• 23 Tackles vs. Duke in 2010

From the modern era, there was no linebacker better than Luke Kuechly. Before Kuechly became Carolina’s long-time captain, he dominated offenses at Boston College.

Luke holds the official record for career tackles in college with 532, 35.5 of which were for losses. His best performance came in the 2010 game vs. Duke when he recorded a school-record 23 tackles in one game.

Kuchly’s talent was undeniable as he became the second player ever to win two Butkus Awards and a Nagursky Trophy. 

4 Brian Bosworth: Oklahoma, 1984-1986

• Total Tackles: 395
• 3x All-American
• National Champion
• 2x Butkus Award Winner

Of all of the best linebackers in college football history, there was only one, Brian Bosworth. “The Boz” was a defensive force for the Oklahoma, whose confidence matched his ability. 

Bosworth played in just 24 college games, but that was enough to make a lasting mark. The Sooner legend was the winner of the first Butkus Award and the firtst player ever to win two Butkus Awards.

Brian was also a huge factor in Oklahoma’s 1985 national title win, which helped cement his legacy.

3 Mike Singletary: Baylor, 1977-1980

• Total Tackles: Unofficially 662
• 232 Tackles in 1978
• 1980 O’Brien Trophy Winner
• Single-Game Tackle Record: 35

The great Mike Singletary left his mark as one of the best linebackers in college football history. Baylor’s all-time best linebacker is the unofficial tackle king in college football.

Singletary unofficially recorded 662 tackles over his college career before tackles were recorded as a state. He also holds another unofficial single-season tackle record with 232 tackles during the 1978 season and the single-game tackle record(35).

Nobody was more feared during this era than Mike Singletary. The Baylor legend went on to become one of the greatest NFL linebackers of all time.

2 Derrick Thomas: Alabama,  1985-1988

• Tackles: 204
• Sacks: 52(NCAA Record)
• 1988 Butkus Award Winner
• 5 Sacks vs. Texas A&M

There is no question that Derrick Thomas belongs near the top of the best linebackers in college football history. The Alabama legend was a force to reckon with on defense and could impact a game in seconds.

Thomas unofficially holds the NCAA record with 52 sacks during college, but the stat wasn’t collected until 2000. Alabama’s all-time best linebacker also unofficially holds the single-season sack record with 27 sacks.

His best performance was in the 1988 Hurricane Bowl vs. Texas A&M, where he recorded 5 sacks. Derrick’s life was tragically cut short in 2000, but his legacy lives on as an all-time great.

1 Dick Butkus: Illinois, 1962-1964

• Total Tackles: Unofficially 374
• Interceptions: 7
• Multiple Double-Digit Tackle Games
• Set the Standard for Linebackers

Of every gifted player on the best linebackers in college football history list, there is only one Dick Butkus. The football icon set the standard for the linebacker position as one of the all-time greats.

During Butkus’ college career, tackles and sacks weren’t recorded as stats. He unofficially has 374 tackles, but it’s likely in the 400s, with numerous sacks.

Dick completely changed the game and set the standard for the linebacker position. This is why the CFB LB of the Year was officially named after the Illinois legend.

Butkus then went to the NFL and became one of the greatest players in the sport’s history.