Clemson's Top Linebackers

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Mon Aug 07 09:13:55 GMT-05:00 2017

Clemson’s Top Linebackers

We continue our look at the top players by position that I have seen at Clemson (since 1974). Today is our look at linebackers. Here are the top ten linebackers I have seen at Clemson:

1. Anthony Simmons

Simmons is the best defensive player I have seen at Clemson. He is Clemson’s only three-time All-American at linebacker and one of only two Tiger linebackers to be first-team All-American twice. In 1995 he was a third-team All-American. Simmons was first-team All-American in 1996 and consensus first-team All-American in 1997. Simmons was the 1995 National Rookie of the Year and an ACC 50 Year Selection. He had at least 150 tackles in all three seasons he played at Clemson. He recorded 150 as a freshman, 178 as a sophomore and 158 as a junior. Simmons had 486 tackles in three years which is second in school history.

2. Jeff Davis

Davis helped the Tigers to the national title in 1981 when he was a first-team All-American. That season he was the ACC Player of the Year. That season he recorded 175 tackles. Davis is third in Clemson career tackles with 469 tackles. He was an ACC 50 Year Selection.

Davis and Ed McDaniel hold the Clemson record with ten caused fumbles.

3. Keith Adams

Adams was a first-team All-American in 1999 and a consensus first-team All-American in 2000. He is one of only two Tigers to be named first-team All-American twice. Adams was the 1999 ACC Defensive Player of the Year. He had 186 tackles as a sophomore which is the Clemson record for a single season. He set the Clemson record for tackles in a game when he had 27 against South Carolina in 1999. He set the Clemson record with 16 sacks in a single season. His 54 career tackles for a loss are third in school history. He was an All-ACC choice in 1999.

4. Levon Kirkland

Kirkland is one of the most popular players in Clemson history. He was a three-time All-ACC selection making the team in 1989, 90 and 91. He is a rare two-time All-American. Kirkland was second-team All-American in 1990 and first-team All-American in 1991.

5.Ed McDaniel

McDaniel had the rare feat of having at least 100 tackles in three of his four years. He was a first-team All-American in 1991. He was an All-ACC choice in 1990 and 1991. McDaniel and Jeff Davis set the Clemson record with ten caused fumbles. His 389 tackles are sixth in Clemson history.

6. Leroy Hill

Hill was the 2004 ACC Defensive Player of the Year and was an All-American that same season. He was selected to the All-ACC team in 2003 and 2004. His 27 tackles for a loss in 2003 were the second most in a single season.

7. Bubba Brown

Brown started 42 games at linebacker, which is a Clemson record. His 515 tackles are the most by any player in a Clemson career. He set the school record for tackles in a single season with 170, but that record was broken by Jeff Davis, then Anthony Simmons and finally Keith Adams. He was All-ACC in 1978 and 1979.

8. Randy Scott

Scott is eighth in Clemson history with 382 career tackles. From 1976-78 he teamed with Bubba Brown to give the Tigers one of the finest combinations of linebackers in school history. He was selected All-ACC in 1977 and 1978.

9. Stephone Anthony

Anthony led the Tigers in tackles as a junior and senior. He recorded 131 as a junior and 90 as a senior. He helped the Tigers to lead the nation in total defense in 2014. Anthony also had the game saving interception in the 2014 Orange Bowl against Ohio State. Anthony was a two-time All-ACC selection.

10. Ben Boulware

Boulware is another of the most popular players in school history. He helped lead the Tigers to their second national title in 2016. Boulware was an All-American last season. He was the 2016 ACC Defensive Player of the Year. He recorded 138 tackles as a junior and 131 as a senior. Boulware was All-ACC in 2015 and 2016.

Among the Tigers I considered for the list included such former greats as Anthony Waters, Wayne Simmons, Johnny Rembert, Jonathan Brooks, Andy Headen, Edgar Pickett, Henry Walls, Terrance Mack, Jesse Hatcher, Doug Brewster, John Johnson, Ashley Sheppard, Tim Jones, Wardell Rouse, Rahim Abdullah, Chad Carson, Spencer Shuey, BJ Goodson and Kavell Conner.

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