Is Alabama football's Will Anderson Jr. the best linebacker in the SEC? If so, is anyone close?

In a conference filled with talented linebackers, one stands far above the rest.

Alabama football's Will Anderson Jr. is the best linebacker in the SEC going into the 2022 season, according to a poll of sports journalists who cover the league for the USA TODAY Sports Network.

The Crimson Tide linebacker garnered all 16 possible first-place votes to head a list of the top 10 SEC linebackers. Alabama placed three players on the list.

A total of 21 linebackers from 12 schools received votes: Missouri and South Carolina were the only schools without a player to get at least one vote. Ten points were awarded for a first-place vote down to one point for a 10th-place vote.

The USA TODAY Sports Network is counting down to SEC Media Days, scheduled for July 18-21 in Atlanta, by revealing its top players at each position grouping.

Here is a look at the top 10 linebackers in the SEC:

1. Will Anderson Jr.

Alabama, junior (160 points, 16 first-place votes)

As the Jack linebacker, Anderson led the nation with 17½ sacks and 34½ tackles for loss in 2021 and might have won the Heisman Trophy if not for it being a traditionally offensive award.

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2. Derick Hall

Auburn, senior (108 points)

Derick Hall is a projected first-round draft pick who finished third in the SEC with nine sacks last year from Auburn's edge position.

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3. (tie) Henry To’oTo’o

Alabama, senior (107 points)

Usually one of the smartest players on the field, To’oTo’o earned a spot on the All-SEC second team in 2021 as he led Alabama with 113 tackles.

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4. (tie) Nolan Smith

Georgia, senior (107 points)

This former No. 1 overall recruit is the top returning tackle for UGA with 56 to go along with nine tackles for loss and 3½ sacks.

5. Bumper Pool

Arkansas, senior (89 points)

Getting Pool back was a stated goal of coach Sam Pittman’s, and Arkansas gets its most experienced linebacker and 2021 leader in tackles, back for a final season.

6. Jeremy Banks

Tennessee, senior (86 points)

Banks is the SEC’s top returning tackler with 128, and he tied for the team lead with 11½ tackles for loss and 5½ sacks.

7. Ventrell Miller

Florida, senior (48 points)

Miller led the Gators in tackles during the 2020 season with 88 and was on track to lead the unit in tackling once again before a torn biceps injury in the first month of the season effectively ended his 2021 campaign.

8. Dallas Turner

Alabama, sophomore (39 points)

The former five-star recruit finished the year on a hot streak, tallying 8½ sacks in the final seven games – with two in the College Football Playoff championship.

9. Owen Pappoe

Auburn, senior (30 points)

Pappoe was injured last year, but the Auburn team captain is a former five-star recruit who excels in coverage and pass rush; he amassed 93 tackles in 2020.

10. Tyrus Wheat

Mississippi State, senior (24 points)

Wheat had 10½ tackles for loss in 2021 with 7½ sacks.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Here are the top 10 linebackers in SEC football for the 2022 season