Missouri Football: Looking back at the Tigers career of Kentrell Brothers

One of the greatest linebackers in Missouri Football history, Kentrell Brothers‘ career in Columbia culminated in a memorable 2015 senior season. Looking back at the 2015 season as well, is that one of the greatest single-seasons that the SEC has ever seen at the linebacker position?

Looking back at the Missouri Football career of Kentrell Brothers

A three-star prospect out of Guthrie High School in Guthrie, OK, Brothers originally came to Missouri as one of the headline names from the Tigers 2011 recruiting class. His on-field debut with the Tigers however would have to wait a year as the freshman suffered a season-ending injury before the 2011 season began.

Brothers would go-on to make his collegiate debut during the 2012 season as a redshirt freshman, adding 14 total tackles across 11 games. Acting primarily in a backup role, Brothers would however emerge as a starter for the Tigers defense in 2013, collecting a total of 70 tackles and a career-high three interceptions as Missouri’s only linebacker to start every game that year.

Cemented as one of the SEC’s top linebackers entering the 2014 season, Brothers would enjoy a massive redshirt junior season for the Tigers. Receiving Second Team All-SEC honors at seasons end, Brothers would rank second in the conference in both total tackles (121) and forced fumbles (3).

Coming off that phenomenal season as well, Brothers’ 2015 campaign however was even better, one that is still one of the best single-seasons from a linebacker the SEC has seen in recent memory. Receiving First Team All-SEC honors, Brothers would lead all of college football with 152 total tackles, while also ranking third nationally in assisted tackles with 79.

For his Missouri Football career overall, Brothers would collect a combined 357 tackles, 23.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, five interceptions, 11 PD’s, and four forced fumbles across his time in Columbia. A multi-time All-SEC selection, Brothers also currently ranks No. 7 all-time in SEC history in total tackles for his career (357), while also sitting just outside the Top 10 in solo and assisted tackles.

Selected in the fifth round (No. 160 overall) in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings, Brothers would appear in a total of 51 games from 2016-19 with Minnesota, collecting a combined 55 tackles during that span.