Ranking the Top-5 Gator Linebackers of All-Time
December 21, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz (right) instructs middle linebacker Brandon Spikes (51) during the third quarter against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Bills 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
No. 2 Brandon Spikes (2006-2009)
Brandon Spikes is the winningest player on this list as he was a member of two National Championships and a Sugar Bowl victory.
Staying for all four years, Spikes totaled 307 tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, six interceptions (four for touchdowns), 20 pass deflections, and two forced fumbles.
Receiving minimal playing time in the 2007 BCS National Championship Game, Spikes would leave his mark on the 2009 BCS National Championship Game and the 2010 Sugar Bowl with six tackles in both games.
Besides playing during Florida’s second golden era of football, some of Spikes’ other accolades include:
- SEC Champion in 2006 and 2008
- First-team All-SEC in 2007, 2008, and 2009
- Consensus All-American in 2008 and 2009
After ending his senior year with a blowout victory over No. 3 Cincinatti in the 2010 Sugar Bowl, Spikes entered the 2010 NFL Draft.
The New England Patriots would draft him 62nd overall in the second round. He played three seasons with New England and appeared in one Super Bowl before being traded to the Buffalo Bills in 2014.
After his year in Buffalo ended, Spikes returned to New England on a one-year contract.
On June 8, just a little less than a month after signing Spikes, the Patriots released him due to an ongoing investigation pertaining to his alleged involvement in a hit-and-run.
A few days later on June 12, Spikes was indeed found guilty of leaving the scene of the crime and driving irresponsibly.
Related: Former Gator Brandon Spikes Pleads Guilty to Hit-and-Run
It is not for me to say whether Spikes will play in the NFL again.
The Patriots had every right to waive him as they are still trying to put the Aaron Hernandez situation behind them for good.
If this really was Spikes’ last hoorah, then he will end his five-year NFL career with 340 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, 15 pass deflections, and six forced fumbles.
Next: No. 1 Wilber Marshall