The linebackers crew led by Brandon Spikes were one of the best units in the country last season. There were question marks heading into 2008 about the defensive line and the secondary, but no one questioned the linebacking crew. While the news of Tim Tebow returning was huge news, Brandon Spikes coming back was equally as big for the defense. Once again, this looks to be the major strength of the defense.

Middle linebacker Brandon Spikes is clearly the leader of the defense and is considered by most to be the best linebacker in the country. The first team All-American has 239 tackles in his Gator career in addition to the impressive 4 interceptions he had last season, half of which were returned for touchdowns. Spikes is an amazing athlete and could go down as the best linebacker in Gator football history. His blend of speed, strength, and football smarts are a combination that hasn’t been seen in a long time. When you add his leadership abilities into that formula, you have an offensive coordinator’s nightmare.

The other linebacker who is a senior and a leader on the team is outside linebacker Ryan Stamper. Stamper is one of the most trusted guys on the team. According to his fellow players, he is one of the guys that younger players look up to and go to for advice on a regular basis. His low-key leadership role is vital to the team, but his play on the field is just as important. Stamper is a fifth year senior who worked his way from down on the depth charts to become a starter last season. He collected 45 tackles and two fumble recoveries last season in 11 starts. Stamper isn’t the athletic beast that Spikes is, but his leadership and knowledge of the defense are extremely important to the team’s success.

The other starter at outside linebacker was penciled in as junior Brandon Hicks. Hicks beat out Dustin Doe and A.J. Jones to take over as a starter for the last five games of the season last year. He had 34 tackles and 2 sacks as a part-time starter. Hicks is an athletic linebacker who played wide receiver in high school and is one of the faster linebackers in the SEC. Unfortunately, Hicks has been sidelined for a while with an injury, and it doesn’t look like he will be returning soon.

Redshirt junior A.J. Jones and senior Dustin Doe are both former starters who bring a wealth of experience to the defense. A.J. Jones came in to Florida as a speedy undersized linebacker, but has since developed into a full-sized playmaker. Jones has 69 tackles in 18 career starts. He has also been named the starter since Brandon Hicks became injured due to his exceptional play in the spring and early preseason camp. Dustin Doe has been in legal trouble most of the summer, but it has since been cleared and he looks set to join the team tomorrow. Doe has an impressive 137 tackles in his career in 16 starts. He made a name for himself early in his career as a stud on special teams and worked his way into the linebacking rotation. In 2008 though, he lost his starting spot and didn’t prove himself worthy to be a major part of the rotation again until the Georgia game in which he played great pass coverage and also intercepted Stafford once. His plays during that game got him back into a heavier rotation with the starting linebackers in 2008. Doe has been a more explosive hitter and playmaker than Jones, but being away from the team so long won’t help his chances of starting.  

Junior Lorenzo Edwards and freshman Brendan Beal are two players who also have a chance to see some playing time this season. Edwards is a big strong guy who hasn’t seen a lot of time on the field, but he has major talent and is stuck behind some of the best linebackers in the country. Beal is a middle linebacker who should spell Spikes in the blowout victories. He has been taking advantage of Spikes’ extra year on campus to learn his leadership and play-making tendencies to better help the team in 2010.

The two guys with the most buzz surrounding them this offseason were true freshmen Jon Bostic and Jelani Jenkins. Bostic enrolled early and completely blew away the coaches in spring drills and summer workouts. As a true freshman, strength coach Marotti says he is the strongest freshmen on the team and could possibly be up there with the strongest on the entire team. Jenkins is a 4.0 student who was touted as the number one prep linebacker in the country. Both are so talented that despite a deep depth chart they will push for playing time early in the year or at the very least on special teams.

This year looks to be a great year for this Gator Linebacking crew, barring any major injuries or suspensions. They have strength, leadership, and depth; which are the three biggest pieces of the puzzle when it comes to that position.

Ben Pettito is a Columnist for GatorTailgating.com