Lavonte David Honored on PFF’s 20th Anniversary All‑Star Team

PFF Marks Two Decades of NFL Data

Pro Football Focus celebrated its 20th year of NFL evaluation by releasing an All‑Star roster that spotlights the best players at every position since the database began in 2006. The rankings rely on normalized PFF grades, adjusted for era, and consider only a player’s five strongest seasons with a single franchise between 2006 and 2025. At each spot, the athlete with the highest cumulative score secures the honor.

The second‑team linebackers include former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defender Lavonte David and Patrick Willis, while the first team is anchored by Bobby Wagner and Luke Kuechly. David earned his place after consistently posting a top‑four grade over the last seven seasons, with standout campaigns in 2013 and the 2017‑2022 stretch. His selection reflects sustained excellence across two separate peaks in his NFL career.

David’s NFL Statistical Legacy

During the 2013 season, David posted a career‑high season with 145 combined tackles, 107 solo stops, 21 tackles for loss, seven sacks, five interceptions and a safety. Over his entire NFL tenure he amassed 1,716 tackles, 177 tackles for loss, 42.5 sacks, 33 forced fumbles and 14 interceptions, cementing his status as one of the most productive linebackers of the modern era. Those numbers also illustrate his ability to generate pressure and disrupt the passing game consistently.

David’s most recent high‑grade stretch came between 2017 and 2022, where he continued to rank among the league’s elite at his position. His versatility—combining run‑stopping, pass‑rushing, and play‑making in coverage—made him a cornerstone of the Buccaneers’ defensive scheme during those years. The eight‑year span of elite performance helped him break into the top‑four grades that PFF uses for its second‑team voting.

College Career That Set the Stage

In two seasons at Nebraska (2010‑2011), David recorded 285 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, two interceptions, 12 passes defended, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. His tackle total remains the fifth‑best mark in program history, underscoring the impact he had early in his collegiate career. David also earned First‑Team All‑American honors in both years and was named the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year in 2011.

The recognition at Nebraska signaled the beginning of a path that would eventually lead to Pro Football Focus honoring him two decades after the league’s statistical database was launched. His college accolades, combined with his NFL achievements, illustrate a career built on consistency, leadership, and relentless work ethic.

What This Means Going Forward

Being placed on PFF’s second team at age 35 highlights David’s durability and the continued relevance of his skill set at the highest level. It also reinforces the value of a player’s five‑year peak windows in the modern evaluation model, which now spans the full PFF era. As the NFL moves toward more advanced analytics, David’s presence on this anniversary roster serves as a benchmark for linebacker performance across two decades.

The honor not only caps a distinguished playing career but also provides a reference point for emerging linebackers who aim to mirror his blend of physicality and football intelligence. Fans and scouts alike will reference this All‑Star list as they assess the evolution of the position in the years ahead.