Rubbing the Rock
Fansided

Clemson Football: 10 Best Defensive Players – Of the 80’s

By Ben Greeson

Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is sacked on the 2 yard line against Clemson Tigers defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) and safety Jayron Kearse (1) during the first quarter of the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is sacked on the 2 yard line against Clemson Tigers defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) and safety Jayron Kearse (1) during the first quarter of the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 11
Next
Jul 28, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals inside linebackers intern and preseason coach Jen Welter holds a helmet as she poses for a photo with head coach Bruce Arians (right), president Michael Bidwill (left) and Bill Bidwill coaching fellowship recipient Levon Kirkland during a press conference at the teams training facility. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 28, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals inside linebackers intern and preseason coach Jen Welter holds a helmet as she poses for a photo with head coach Bruce Arians (right), president Michael Bidwill (left) and Bill Bidwill coaching fellowship recipient Levon Kirkland during a press conference at the teams training facility. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Levon Kirkland

I could have chosen a number of these players to go into the #1 spot. Most all of them are deserving honestly.

Once you reach the level where you are considered the greatest of the great, isn’t just being on the list good enough? There was slim separation in my mind over the last 4 or 5 players listed.

However, when I think of complete dominance, when I think of a wrecking ball that could do it all, at every level. Levon Kirkland is the name that jumps to the forefront of my mind.

More from Rubbing the Rock

Kirkland, from Lamar, SC was a freak of nature when it came to linebackers. How many 300lb middle linebackers do you know? Kirkland re-wrote what it ment to play the Mike Linebacker position in the NFL.

Another Danny Ford product, Kirkland was the captain of a defense that may go down as the best in Clemson history.

Kirkland was third on Clemson’s #1-ranked rushing defense in tackles (67) in 1991…standout on Clemson’s number-one ranked total defense in 1990…earned MVP honors in the 1989 Mazda Gator Bowl with nine tackles, a sack and three quarterback pressures…second-round draft pick of the Steelers in 1992…All-Pro in 1996,97…highest paid linebacker in the NFL in 1999…played with the Eagles in 2002…named to Clemson’s Centennial team in 1996…ranked as Clemson’s #8 gridder of all-time by a panel of historians in 1999…inducted into Clemson Hall of Fame in 2001. He has 1,000 tackles in the NFL, 20 sacks and 11 interceptions.

Levon Kirkland revolutionized the Middle Linebacker position. He created the “prototypical size” that is now the standard in the NFL.

More tigers: What Clemson Must Do To Host A Regional

He was a bit heavier than the prototypical guys today, but before Levon MLB’s were much smaller. After Levon came into the league, you started seeing teams shift to the 250lb MLB’s. If you can change the way the NFL uses a position, that’s revolutionary.

And, he may be the only player in history to make an opposing teams mother beg for mercy on national television. That fact alone, makes Levon Krikland my #1 defensive player from the 80’s.

Home/Clemson All-Time Football Lists