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DEL.ICIO.USRating the SEC’s best defensive backs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We’re winding down our look at the best at each position in the SEC and ACC. These guys are the last line of defense and some of the best athletes anywhere. Here are my top five defensive backs in the SEC for 2007.
1. Simeon Castille, Sr., Alabama: One of the best cover corners in the country. Grabbed five interceptions last season and had two games (Vanderbilt, Tennessee) with two interceptions. Castile certainly has the bloodlines. His dad, Jeremiah, was a great, great player for the Crimson Tide (1979-82).
2. Jonathon Hefney, Sr., Tennessee: Hefney had five interceptions last season and finished second on the Tennessee team in tackles with 96. Hefney also averaged 12.1 yards on punt returns.
3. Chevis Jackson, Sr., LSU: Great cover corner who has 25 starts and has played in 38 games during his career at LSU. Had two interceptions and broke up 14 passes last season.
4. Derek Pegues, Sr., Miss. State: Great combination of DB and return specialist. Had four interceptions last season and returned two for touchdowns. He averaged 21.9 yards on 57 kickoffs. He also returned punts for a 14-yard average.
5. Kelin Johnson, Sr., Georgia: The safety is Georgia’s leading returning tackler with 60. He had two interceptions in 2006. He has played in 38 career games with 13 starts.
HONORABLE MENTION
Eric Brock, Sr., Auburn: Strong safety has played in 36 games with 18 starts in his career at Auburn. Finished with 50 tackles and one interception last season.
Tony Joiner, Sr., Florida: Joiner has played in 34 career games with 15 starts. He is one of just two returning players on Florida’s defense. Had two interceptions at strong safety a year ago.
Jamarca Sanford, Jr., Ole Miss: A versatile athlete who started seven games at safety and four at linebacker last season. He was a freshman All-America in 2005.
Craig Steltz, Sr., LSU: With star safety Laron Landry gone to the NFL Steltz, who had four interceptions last season, is expected to be the leader in a very talented LSU secondary.
Jonathon Zenon, Sr., LSU: Teams with Jackson to give LSU the best pair of cover corners in the country. Had four interceptions last season.
Comments
By Lowcountry Bulldawg
August 10, 2007 8:32 AM | Link to this
When will this end? This is the Duracell battery of college football lists.
By Bill
August 10, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this
Good job Tony.
A quick thought on Stevie Wonder, If you don’t let me have my players I will leave, CMR had several that qualified but the school would not let them in school, no crying. So Stevie Ball coach take youe ego and leave.
By yellowblood
August 10, 2007 8:56 AM | Link to this
Bill: I agree with you. Jim Rome said this week ” has anyone ever been refused admission to an SEC school ?” If any of these guys get arrested before opening day, you can get Goldberg to round up some of his ‘rasslin buddies for you. Most of these guys were never in Kollege. PS: Who are these no-names anyway ? Can Stafford go 2 ways and play linebacker ?
By Roswell Ed
August 10, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this
What about Jonathon Wilhite and Pat Lee with AU?
AU had 3 DBs on the coaches preseason all SEC list. Scout.com said that how fast the DBs gel is the defenses biggest concern at AU.
Get ready SEC
3 starters back and all of them all SEC and that’s a weakness? …Farewell and adieu to you fair Spanish ladies….
Yes Bocephus I am ready for some football.
Ms. Yellowblood just so you know being called yellow is not a complement ma’am.
Look how stupid that fat guy selling wood looks.
I hope your debate team wins a lot of matches.
“Jim Rome said.”
Jim Rome is a tool and a hack.
And I am out.
By BadDawg
August 10, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this
Hefney can’t even catch a cold or tackle my grandmother. Maybe Chavis should start instead. Woof
By Roswell Ed
August 10, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this
And that’s an offense to tools.
By AltamahaDawg
August 10, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this
yellowblood, appreciate you agreeing with Bill that CMR is a stand up guy. The rest of your post was incoherant.
By Rusty Banks
August 10, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this
Look for Pegues to have a breakout year. A lot of people are saying LSU will blow out MSU and easily cover the spread in the opener on Aug. 30th. Not so fast…..
http://www.rustybanks.com
By Steeledawg
August 10, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this
Mr. College Football it looks like you are on auto pilot, we look to you as the premier CF guru in the Southeast for inside information and insight into the world of college football. What’s next the 5 best waterboys in the SEC and the next day 5 best in the ACC? You are better than this.
By joe
August 10, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this
There is joy in Mudville…A Bulldog made the top 5 in something…all is not lost, until the first game anyway.
By Big D
August 10, 2007 11:57 PM | Link to this
SadDawg, before you talk bad about any Vols, remember we swept you last year - 1 football game, 2 basketball games, and 3 baseball games. Oh, yeah, and we won the SEC in golf and track. And even another little national championship for Pat. So win something and then talk about us …
By realworld
August 11, 2007 4:55 AM | Link to this
To Bad the Atlanta Urinal and Constipation doesn’t have a TOP 5 sportswriter…
By Nick Saban
August 11, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this
Hey Tony, when are you going to rate the coaches? I know I must be #1, cause I am the King.
http://sabanator.blogspot.com