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Alabama Football: Ten greatest Tide linebackers from past 30 years

By Ronald Moody

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 07: Lineman Lorenzo Washington #97 and linebacker Rolando McClain #25 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate a play against the Texas Longhorns during the Citi BCS National Championship game at the Rose Bowl on January 7, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 07: Lineman Lorenzo Washington #97 and linebacker Rolando McClain #25 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate a play against the Texas Longhorns during the Citi BCS National Championship game at the Rose Bowl on January 7, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /
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Alabama Football
TUSCALOOSA, AL – OCTOBER 16: Dont’a Hightower #30 of the Alabama Crimson Tide pressures quarterback Jeremiah Masoli #8 of the Ole Miss Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C., Cox/Getty Images) /

6

Donta Hightower Inside and Outside Linebacker

Alabama Crimson Tide 2008-2011

The Lewisburg, Tennessee native instantly became a starter at weakside linebacker on Nick Saban’s 2008 team alongside true freshman Rolando McClain. Finishing the season with 64 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries, Hightower received recognition being named to numerous All-Freshmen teams. The following season, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament against Arkansas granting him a redshirt season. In 2010, Dont’a returned and started at middle linebacker whipping up 69 tackles. The anchor for the esteemed 2011 defense, he made a career-high 85 tackles.

Hightower’s versatility was simply unmatched. He could put his hand in the dirt to get after the quarterback on third down plus his 265-pound frame allowed him to destroy running backs. Left Alabama as a first-team consensus All American and a finalist for the Butkus Award, Lombardi and Lott trophies.

5

Reuben Foster Inside Linebacker

Alabama Crimson Tide 2014-2016

Butkus Award winner Reuben Foster was the de facto leader of the notorious 2016 Alabama football defense. Foster slimmed down his senior season to be more effective. The linebacker registered 115 tackles along with five sacks. He was all over the field. In his last game, he had 12 tackles and one sack.

Coming to Alabama as the top high school linebacker in the country, he originally verbally committed to Auburn. He didn’t see the field until his sophomore year. A big hitter, he ate Leonard Fournette’s lunch at LSU by putting him on his behind with a thunderous hit on special teams. In his junior season, the potential began to show.

Foster displayed great command in the huddle, showed tremendous range with seven pass deflections and excellent hitting ability. The junior registered 73 tackles along with eight tackles for loss.

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