SEC Power Poll All-SEC Team: the linebackers

As a voter in the SEC Power Poll and, subsequently, the All-SEC Team balloting, I've been tapped to participate in the rollout. 
As you know the SEC Power Poll is a group of SEC bloggers (List of Bloggers HERE) and the All-SEC Team is chosen by this group of bloggers based on voting.

I get the honor of revealing the winning linebackers......the envelope, please…

The 2009 SEC Power Poll All-SEC Selections at Linebacker are (in order of votes received): Rolando McClain (Alabama), Eric Norwood (South Carolina) and Rennie Curran (Georgia).

Some reasoning on why these 3 are deemed worthy of this award -

1.  Rolando McClain, (Alabama)

His laundry list of accomplishments are too lengthy to mention in this post.  But the 6 foot 4 inch 260 pound "quarterback" of the 'Bama D is the definition of All-SEC in my book and the others as he was a unanimous selection amongst the voters.

Here is his just a tidbit of his higlights from 2009:
• Midseason Sporting News All-American
• Buktus Award winner
• Semifinalist for the Lombardi Award
• Semifinalist for the Bednarik Award
• Leads team with 66 tackles
• Has 2 interceptions and 7 TFL (-28)
• Five straight games with at least 7 tackles

This his junior year, he has helped the Crimson Tide rank fourth nationally in total defense (242.22 ypg) and second in rush defense (68.22).  Oh, and his team is in the national championship game which speaks volumes to his ability and leadership on the 'Bama D.

2. Eric Norwood, (U of South Carolina)

This senior is the key to the SC defense.  He is a Walter Camp 1st Team All-American, All SEC selection according to the league's coaches and the AP.  Mr. Norwood was also a finalist for the Butkus Award in '09. 
In 2009, Norwood had 71 tackles including 49 solo stops.  He finished 3rd in the SEC in sacks (7) and is tied for 8th with 11.5 tackles for losses.  He had 2 INTs and blocked 3 kicks to boot.  He was credited with 11 QB hurries, 3 pass breakups and a fumble recovery.  The 6 foot 250 pound Linebacker is Carolina's all-time leader with 43.0 career tackles for loss and is third on the all-time list in sacks with 22.0.

3. Rennie Curran (Georgia Bulldogs)

This future NFL-er was voted First-team All-SEC by the AP and Coaches in 2009, and was also named First-team All-America by CBSSports.com after leading the SEC in tackles this year as a junior.  In 2009, he had 116 tackles and of those 59 were solo.  So just that number alone says this kid was everyone and had his nose in almost everything the defense was doing on the field.  Curran is considered one of the top weakside linebackers of his class, and has been called "the most dominant defensive player in the game" by The Sporting News.

Others receiving votes:

• Brandon Spikes (U of Florida Gators)
• Sam Maxwell ( U of Kentucky Wildcats)
• Chris Marve (Vanderbilt Commodores)

Related Content:

• LOHD Offical Ballot
• Quarterback: Tim Tebow (Alligator Army)
• Running Backs: Mark Ingram, Dexter McCluster (Roll Bama Roll)
• Wide Receivers: A.J. Green, Shay Hodge (Hey Jenny Slater)
• Tight End: Aaron Hernandez (Team Speed Kills)
• Defensive Backs: Eric Berry, Joe Haden, Javier Arenas, Mark Barron (Gate 21)
• Special Teams:  Butler, Tiffin, Arenas (Georgia Sports Blog)
• Defensive Lineman: Cody, Coleman, Dunlap, Houston, Matthews (War Eagle Reader)