Everyone loves offense! Everyone but Florida Gators head coach Will Muschamp, but we’re sure he’ll eventually come around. Rule changes promote offense, touchdowns give fans opportunities to cheer and mascots opportunities to do pushups. As much as we love a stout mascot, we would like to recognize those standouts on the other side of the ball, the touchdown stoppers, the guys who invoke the theory “defense wins championships”. We’re going to rank the Top 10 Defensive Players in the nation.
1. Leonard Williams, D-line, USC
Leonard Williams is a dominant force and has been since he first stepped onto the campus of USC from Daytona Beach, Florida. At 6-foot-5, 300 pounds, Williams can play any position on the line in any scheme and he will most assuredly be one of the first defensive players taken in the 2015 NFL Draft, assuming he leaves USC.
2. Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
As a true freshman last season Hargreaves was at the very least impressive, and at the most amazing. He was the Gators best cover guy despite playing with upperclassmen who are now in the NFL and Hargreaves’ ball skills have many thinking he can be the next Patrick Peterson. Hargreaves will likely be the best cornerback in the SEC this season, if not the nation.
3. Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
Calhoun was a big play monster last season for the nation’s best defense in East Lansing. Calhoun is quick off the edge and holds up against the run, being just 257 pounds. He will likely improve upon his 7.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss from last year.
4. Vic Beasley, DE, Clemson
Vic Beasley is the next great Clemson defensive end and let’s not let the NFL fates of the previous great Clemson defensive ends sway us from appreciating what Beasley does every Saturday. Beasley is lightning fast as an edge rusher and the team could have him play a little more stand up linebacker to get him ready for the next level, as he’s just 235 pounds.
5. Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
Myles Jack was unbelievable as a freshman as he played both ways at linebacker and running back, and became the first player to win Offensive Freshman of the Year and Defensive Freshman of the Year. He’s a huge hitter who is versatile enough to play running back at a high level as well.
6. Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
The former junior college transfer broke out last year as he led the Big Ten in sacks with 9.5 and also finished third on his Huskers team in tackles with 65. Gregory is a great athlete who can line up almost anywhere on the field and be successful.
7. Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
The sky is the absolute limit for this true sophomore who dominated the Big Ten conference last season as a freshman. Bosa has prototypical NFL size at 6-foot-5, 285 pounds and is a relentless pass rusher. Despite not starting four games last season, Bosa still collected 7.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss.
8. P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
P.J. Williams may not get as much recognition playing on one of the very best defenses in the land, but he should, as he’s the very best player on that FSU defense. Williams has solid size at 6-foot, 196 pounds, and has excellent ball skills. A very solid tackler at his size, he will be the next FSU first-round pick in the secondary.
9. Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
Fuller has NFL bloodlines as his brother Kyle went in the top half of the first round of the NFL Draft. In many situations, the younger brother ends up being the better player and this could be no exception. As a true freshman last year, Fuller picked off six passes with 11 passes deflected, earning him second-team All-ACC honors.
10. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu is the best cornerback in the Pac-12 and plays much bigger than his slightly undersized 5-foot-10, 195 pound frame would suggest. Ekpre-Olomu is tough and physical and is a solid tackler with great ball skills.
