FSU football: 15 greatest NFL careers ever by former Seminoles

FSU football greatest NFL career No. 2: Derrick Brooks

Derrick Brooks played linebacker at Florida State in the early ’90s and was pretty good at the gig, winning a national championship and earning a pair of All-American honors. The Seminoles knew they had a major weapon in their strong defense and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers certainly got one as well.

In 1995, the Buccaneers selected Brooks late in the first round of the NFL Draft and he’d become a major presence for them right off the bat. He’d spent 14 years playing with the Buccaneers and never missed a game, starting all but three in his rookie year.

Brooks was a major factor at Tampa Bay and was named to 11 Pro Bowls. He was a five-time First-Team All-Pro, leading the NFL in tackles on three occasions. He gathered 25 career interceptions, forced just as many fumbles, and was a big part of their elite defense.

During the 2002 season, Brooks had an NFL-high three pick-sixes and added a fourth in Super Bowl XXXVII, helping the Buccaneers to their first title in franchise history. He was a full-time starter and major weapon for Tampa and had his moment in the sun with that championship.

It was unsurprising that Brooks became a first-ballot addition to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and remains one of the most important Buccaneers in franchise history. His career at Florida State was already lights out and he stands out as one of the best linebackers the NFL has ever seen.