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Friday, July 27, 2007
Ranking SEC’s best defenders
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I thought I had a tough assignment yesterday when I picked the top five offensive players in the SEC that I would pay to see. That was a piece of cake compared to today’s effort, which is choosing the top five defensive players. Here is my best shot. Feel free to take yours.
1. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU. First team All-America. First team All-SEC. First team all-world. He is that good. He was the man on a defense that was No. 3 in the nation, giving up only 242.8 yards per game. ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit has called Dorsey “the best player in college football” heading into the 2007 season. LSU gave up only 97.1 yards rushing per game last season. Dorsey is why.
2. Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida. Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith is still having nightmares about this guy. He was the defensive MVP of the BCS championship game and led the Gators in sacks last season with 11. He is one of only two returning starters on defense at Florida.
3. Jasper Brinkley, LB, South Carolina. Brinkley is another guy who could have turned pro but wanted to play his senior season. The Georgia native had 107 total tackles in 2006. His 85 solo tackles are more than any returning defensive player in the SEC this season.
4. Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn. Groves has 23 career sacks and only needs four this season to become Auburn’s all-time leader. This guy is almost impossible to block. Opposing defenses have to account for him on every single play.
5. Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee. If Mayo had not hurt his knee late in the season, he would have made several All-America teams. He had three games last season in which he posted 12 tackles. Mayo’s a junior and if he stays healthy, he’ll be one of the best linebackers in the country.
HONORABLE MENTION
— Jonathon Goff, LB, Vanderbilt. Goff has played in 34 career games and has started 28 straight for Vanderbilt. His 194 career tackles rank third among active SEC players. Commodores coach Bobby Johnson says he is as good as any linebacker who has ever played at Vanderbilt.
— Jonathon Hefney, DB, Tennessee. Hefney can do it all. He had 96 tackles last season to finish second on the team. He averaged 12.1 yards per punt return.
— Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU. Because of Dorsey, Jackson doesn’t get that much ink. But he is good. Very good.
— Derek Pegues, DB, Mississippi State. Great defensive back (four interceptions last season) and great kick returner who averaged 21.9 yards per kickoff and 13.5 yards per punt return over his career.
— Wesley Woodyard, LB, Kentucky. Posted 122 tackles last season and named All-SEC first team by the coaches. Will start the season with a cast after breaking his left hand.
