The Countdown 2010: 49 Days to Go

49: John Brantley, Linebacker #59 (1984 – 1987)

Linebacker John Brantley was a member of some of the final Georgia teams coached by Vince Dooley. And while today the name is usually associated with the new Florida starting quarterback, this John Brantley has already secured his legacy in the SEC history books. The native of Wildwood, Florida, Brantley combined with Terrie Webster to form a linebacking duo Georgia fans called “Rambo and Rambro”.

1986 would be the first of two consecutive seasons as a member of the All-SEC squad for Brantley. The Georgia Bulldogs won 8 games in ’86 including an upset victory over rival Auburn. He racked up a career high 20 tackles, before the Auburn police decided it was a good idea to turn the water hoses on the Georgia fans. He was quoted as saying, "I was on still on the field and people were picking us up on their shoulders. I didn't get wet, but I could see all the people who were getting wet. Man, that was something else." He finished the season with 160 total tackles, the fourth highest season total in Georgia history.

Returning for his senior season in 1987, Brantley was named the permanent defensive captain of a team that would win 9 games. He racked up another 154 tackles and was once again named to the All-SEC first team. For his career, Brantley had 415 tackles, the fourth highest total in Georgia history. He was drafted in the 12th round of the 1988 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers and later played for the Washington Redskins.