The state of Texas might be known for its high-flying offenses, but it's got some pretty good defensive players -- linebackers in particular.

SportsDay's college bloggers and insiders focused on the linebacker units in this Best in Texas poll. A first-place vote counted 12 points, second place 11, third place 10 and so on. First-place votes are in parenthesis.

Those who voted in the poll: Joe Buettner, Nick Castillo, Michael DuPont, Adam Grosbard, E.J. Holland, Shehan Jeyarahah, Brandon Wheeland, and the Denton Record-Chronicle's Brett Vito.

CLICK HERE FOR THE INDIVIDUAL VOTING AND POINT TOTALS

1. Texas (5), 91 points

Oklahoma Sooners running back Joe Mixon (25) rushes the ball while being defended by Texas Longhorns linebacker Malik Jefferson (46) in the second quarter during an NCAA football game between Oklahoma and Texas at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas Saturday October 10, 2015. Texas Longhorns beat Oklahoma Sooners 24-17. (Andy Jacobsohn/The Dallas Morning News) (Andy Jacobsohn / Staff Photographer)

LBs on the roster: Malik Jefferson, Anthony Wheeler, Edwin Freeman, Tim Cole, Demarco Boyd, Johnny Tseng, Edward Pequeno, Cameron Townsend

The Longhorn linebacker corps is one of Texas' strongest units. The Longhorns are led by returning freshman All-American Malik Jefferson. The Mesquite native was the team's second-leading tackler with 61 total tackles. Jefferson will be surrounded by returning linebackers Anthony Wheeler, Edwin Freeman and Tim Cole. The Longhorns should have a strong showing from their linebackers in 2016 -- Nick Castillo

2. TCU (2), 87 points

Texas Longhorns quarterback Jerrod Heard (13) is tackled by TCU Horned Frogs linebacker Montrel Wilson (20) during the first quarter of the TCU and Texas football game at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth on Oct. 3, 2015. (Rose Baca/The Dallas Morning News) (Rose Baca / Staff Photographer)

Notable LBs: Travin Howard, Ty Summers, Montrel Wilson, Tyree Horton, Semaj Thomas

This position group might be the strongest part of an incredibly talented defense that Gary Patterson has on the books for 2016. TCU returns all three of its key contributors at the position from last season -- Travin Howard, Ty Summers and Montrel Wilson. Those three combined for 253 tackles and five forced fumbles last season. The scary thing is the TCU linebacker core figures to be improved as those three have another year of experience under their belts and the Frogs a couple of guys who can bring some depth to the position if the workhorses need a breather. -- Adam Grosbard

3. Baylor (1), 78 points

STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 21: Mason Rudolph #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys is sacked by Aiavion Edwards #20 of the Baylor Bears in the second quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium on November 21, 2015 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

LBs on the roster: Taylor Young, Ross Matiscik, Clay Johnston, Lenoy Jones Jr., Iain Hunter, Jordan Williams, Raaquan Davis, Aiavion Edwards

Baylor has historically struggled on defense, but the Bears could have an excellent and experienced linebacker corps this upcoming season. The Bears are bringing back Taylor Young (80 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss) and Travon Blanchard (83 tackles, eight passes defended), two of their top three tacklers from last season. While middle linebacker Grant Campbell is gone to the NFL, Baylor has a couple of experienced pieces to throw at the vacancy. Aiavion Edwards has 116 tackles in three seasons as both a starter and a reserve. Raaquan Davis only has 38 tackles, but boasts an impressive physical profile for the position (6-2, 225 pounds, 38-inch vertical). The Bears even experimented with a 3-4 defensive alignment to take advantage of depth at the position. It remains to be seen whether Baylor's defense will be able to withstand the huge losses on the defensive line, but the linebackers should help ease the transition. -- Shehan Jeyarajah

4. Texas A&M, 77 points

Texas A&M Aggies defensive back De'Vante Harris (1) and Texas A&M Aggies linebacker Shaan Washington (33) signal in incomplete pass on third down by Arkansas Razorbacks during overtime of their game on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News) (Ashley Landis / Staff Photographer)

LBs on the roster: Richard Moore, Josh Walker, Dwaine Thomas, Claude George, Shaan Washington, Riley Garner, Braden Buckman, Otaro Alaka, Cullen Gillaspia, Landis Durham, Mac Labhart, Brock Drummond, Matthew Kirchner

Linebacker has been a question for the Aggies the last few years, but the talent is certainly trending upward in the middle of the defense. A.J. Hilliard stepped away from football due to ongoing injury issues, but a healthy Otaro Alaka is back and ready to go. Shaan Washington finished as the Aggies second leading tackler in 2015 with 81 takedowns and is the likely starter on the weak side of the field for his junior year. Richard Moore, sophomore out of Cedar Hill, was one of the most impressive freshman in the conference last year on defense, racking up 39 tackles in eight games played. Tyrel Dodson is an incoming member of the 2016 signing class and should play early, which will help the Aggies continue to build depth at the position. -- Brandon Wheeland

5. Houston, 63 points

HOUSTON, TX - NOVEMBER 27: Dishan Romine #28 of the Navy Midshipmen is upended by D'Juan Hines #12 of the Houston Cougars and Adrian McDonald #16 after a catch in the second quarter at TEDECU Stadium on November 27, 2015 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) (Bob Levey / Getty Images)

LBs on the roster: Davonte Thomas, D'Juan Hines, Cameron Doubenmir, Matthew Adams, Rasheed Tynes, Kobe Idumwonyi, Emeke Egbule, Leroy Godfrey, Jordan Miilburn, Camden Ross

6. Texas Tech, 60 points

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 29: Brandon Harris #6 of the LSU Tigers runs with the football past Malik Jenkins #41 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the first half of their game during the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 29, 2015 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

LBs on the roster: Mason Reed, Malik Jenkins, Luke Stice, Coltin Nied, Kolin Hill, D'Vonta Hinton, Jacarthy Mack, Kris Williams, Kahlee Woods, Johnathan Picone

The Red Raiders were positioned to potentially bring back a trio of linebackers with starting experience from last season, including a pair with at least three future seasons of eligibility under defensive coordinator David Gibbs. Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury's dismissal of Dakota Allen leaves the Red Raiders searching for at least one new starter heading into next season. Freshman linebacker and early enrollee Jonathan Picone figures to play a regular role in the group's rotation next season along with Ennis native Malik Jenkins, senior Luke Stice, sophomore D'Vonta Hinton. -- Michael DuPont

7. Rice, 37 points

SOUTH BEND, IN - AUGUST 30: Cam McDaniel #33 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish breaks away from Tabari McGaskey #43 of the Rice Owls at Notre Dame Stadium on August 30, 2014 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Rice 48-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images)

LBs on the roster: Matt Morris, Tabari McGaskey, DJ Green, Dan Carpenter, Nick Uretsky, Alex Lyons, Austin Williams, Joe Ballard, Emmanuel Ellerbee

8. UTEP, 36 points

LBs on the roster: Silas Firstley, Stephen Forester, Devin Simmons, Mookie Carlile, Justen Tatum, Lawrence Montegut, Cooper Foster, David Jackson, Jayson VanHook, Johnny Jones, Nick Usher, Alvin Jones, Leon Hayes

9. SMU, 31 points

SMU wide receiver Xavier Castille (2) is wrapped up by linebacker Jeremy White (16), defensive back William Jeanlys (18) and defensive lineman Michael Scott (36) during the team's spring football game at Ford Stadium on Saturday, April 16, 2016, in Dallas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News) (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

LBs on the roster: Jonathan Yenga, Kyran Mitchell, Jackson Mitchell, Matt McNew, Zane Smith, Andrew Adams, RC Cox, Jeremy White, Robert Seals, Caleb Tuiasosopo, Jordan Williams, Nick Horton, Derek Longoria, Anthony Rhone

The Mustangs are perhaps the weakest at the linebacker position. Inexperience will hurt the Mustangs as they have yet to solidify their starters. Remember, SMU gave up more than 40 points per game last season and a big reason why was subpar linebacker play. -- E.J. Holland

10. Texas State, 30 points

LBs on the roster: Gabe Loyd, Teron Fitzgerald, ishmael Davis, Darnell Dailey Jr., Louis Rubin, Stephen Smith, Kerry Walker Jr., Jordan Mittie, Bryan London, Nikolas Daniels

T-11. North Texas, 17 points

North Texas freshman linebacker Brandon Garner (37) lines up against Rice, Saturday, September 19, 2015, at Apogee Stadium in Denton, TX. David Minton/DRC (David Minton / DRC)

Key pieces: Fred Scott, Cortney Finney, Joshua Wheeler, Brandon Garner

North Texas is moving to a 3-3-5 alignment on defense and will depend heavily on senior linebackers Fred Scott and Cortney Finney to make the switch effective. Scott is one of UNT’s most experienced players and finished fourth among on the team with 68 tackles last season. Finney is one of UNT’s more talented defensive players and was named the NJCAA Defensive Player of the Year at Trinity Valley Community College. UNT’s third potential starter is converted defensive end Joshua Wheeler, who was an honorable mention All-NJCAA selection at Tyler Junior College. UNT will add Arizona Western product William Johnson over the summer. Johnson is rated as the third best JUCO outside linebacker in the Class of 2016 by 247 Sports. UNT has a good mix of talent and experience. The question is how those players will mesh in a new system. -- Brett Vito

T-11. UTSA, 17 points

LBs on the roster: Marcos Curry, Anthony Hickey, La'Kel Bass, Les Maruo, Isiah Cowan, Steven Holman, Kevin Garcia, Josiah Tauaefa, Dalton Miller

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@Joe_Buettner -- Oklahoma | @Nick_Castillo74 -- Texas | @MikeDuPont_ -- Texas Tech | @AdamGrosbard -- TCU | @EJHolland247 -- SMU | @ShehanJeyarajah -- Baylor | @BrandonWheeland -- Texas A&M | @brettvito -- North Texas