Former Gators linebacker Jevon Kearse chosen as SEC Football Legend

Kearse is one of 14 members of the 2019 SEC Football Legend class.

Gator Great linebacker Jevon Kearse has been selected to the 2019 SEC Football Legends class, the SEC announced Thursday.

"The 2019 Football Legends Class includes 14 former stars who excelled on the gridiron and helped write the rich history of the sport at their respective institutions," Florida released in a statement. 

"This year’s class includes All-Americans, All-SEC selections and Academic All-Americans as well as successful head coaches. The group represents teams that won National and SEC Championships, participated in Super Bowl titles and are represented in state, school and college football halls of fame."

Kearse joins former Alabama wide receiver and head coach Ray Perkins (1964-66, 1983-86), Arkansas linebacker Dennis Winston (1973-76), Auburn linebacker Karlos Dansby (2000-03), Georgia head coach Vince Dooley (1964-88), Kentucky defensive tackle Oliver Barnett (1986-89), Louisiana State running back Johnny Robinson (1957-59), Ole Miss kicker Jonathan Nichols (2001-04), Mississippi State linebacker Barrin Simpson (1996-99), Missouri wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (2007-08), South Carolina flanker Fred Zeigler (1967-69), Tennessee defensive lineman Darwin Walker (1997-99), Texas A&M linebacker Ed Simonini (1972-75), and Vanderbilt defensive end Jovan Pierre-Haye (2002-04), as members of the 2019 class.

The former First Team All-American and All-SEC linebacker earned loads of accolades during his three-year career in orange and blue. A converted safety, Kearse recorded an interception and 19 pass breakups in coverage to go with 145 total tackles, 16.5 sacks, 34.5 tackles for loss, and six forced fumbles at Florida. 

A finalist for the Butkus and Chuck Bednarik Awards - given to the best linebacker and best defender in the nation - Kearse declared for the NFL Draft following his junior season and was chosen in the first round by the Tennessee Titans. Kearse was the 1999 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and a first-team All-Pro selection. Kearse made three Pro Bowl appearances in his 11-year career with the Titans and Philadelphia Eagles.

The class will be honored at the 2019 SEC Football “Weekend of Champions” December 6-7 in Atlanta, Georgia, highlighted by the annual SEC Legends Dinner on Friday, December 6th, at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta. 

The group will also be recognized prior to the SEC Football Championship Game, which will be held at the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, December 7th.