So who's in the top two? Is it Eric Berry or this random UCLA receiver? You'll have to read below to find out.
It’s not an easy task to decide who the top-10 defensive players in college football
in any given year. But the 2010 class of players is a scary group of student-athletes that are at a minimum elite.
Every year someone on ESPN comes out and says “Do you think college team X could beat NFL team Y?” Florida’s Defense is good enough to keep them competive against 1/3 of the NFL. Last year the Gators stopped eight of the offenses they faced to their fewest points scored of the season, including only allowing Knowshon Moreno and Matt Stafford to get 10-points. What does any of this have to do with the top-10 defensive players in college? The entire defense is back, and when it is all said and done four of the ten spots could come from Florida.
While there are definitely good defensive players in the Big-10, ACC and Big East, they unfortunately go unrecognized to the overpowering SEC (6). The big-12 as a whole is complete garbage defensively, but they still had three members in the top-10. USC (aka the Pac-10) only have one player after turning over most of the defense to the pros.
The 2009-10 defensive class is amazing at defensive tackle, and might be one of the best safety classes ever. The LB corps will be great, but are overshadowed in the pool of DT’s and Safeties.
We are finally here folks, the final 2!!! In case you missed some picks, I will give you a quick review. I do recommend that you check each pick out though. If you haven’t missed a pick, I recommend you get pumped up for the final countdown: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IliwQImJrYE\
Monday I gave you a mountain of a tackle, and the heart of the Florida Defense. Tuesday brought the only corner of the list to the table, and the USC safety that I believe is slightly overvalued by most. There was then Wednessday, which previewed the elite talent on the Oklahoma Defense. Finally, you got the Maddenesque DE from Ole Miss and the Nebraska DT that makes you think of the song Boom Suh-kalak, Suh-kalaka, Suh-kalaka.
2. Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
Brandon Spikes might be the heart of the Florida defense, but Carlos Dunlap is the muscle and the backbone. Dunlap has been compared to Mario Williams in just about every way, but backs it up with fire and attack. Dunlap is an elite pass-rusher, and a good run-blocker, but still shows the ability to improve. I also learned from Hunter’s Big Board that he returned kicks in high school, which doesn’t shock me at all. Personally I prefer a player like Greg Hardy who interrupts and destroy on any potential play, but there is no doubting the potential, size, ability, and success that Dunlap brings to the table. It also can’t hurt when someone thinks you could be a better prospect and player than Mario Williams.
Dunlap won’t win a stats battle, but his fear, power, and other intangibles help make up for it.
Stats: 13 sacks, some tackles, and some TFL…
1. Eric Berry, S, Tennessee-
I’m not sure words can describe Eric Berry. 72 tackles, 3 sacks, 7 interceptions (2 for TD’s), the ability to turn water into wine, is nicknamed the “Lord of the Dance,” and runs a negative two second 40-yard dash. Berry is a complete playmaker who might end up the best safety ever. Berry also is under a new coaching staff which includes the amazing Monte Kiffin.
I want to go more into how he needs to improve some of his basic skills at safety, but he is just such an intriguing, scary player that you’d be dumb to throw at. Hell, I don’t think it’s safe to do anything but take a knee three times and then punt. Hell, the Tennessee offense won’t win any games this year.
Stats: 80 tackles, 4 sacks, 5 interceptions(1 for TD), and he will evolve into a robot…
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
No Selvie? Epic fail. Look beyond last year’s numbers- he was double teamed on over 80% of all plays, and triple-teamed on over 40% of passing plays. Teams ran away from him 3/4 of the time. The other DE, Jarriet Buie, made the Bucs as an undrafted free agent, so it’s not a talent thing. Selvie is as dominant a force as Hardy, except Selvie has the best motor in the entire nation. There’s no one else that fits that category. This year, Selvie is fully healthy (he wasn’t right last year), and USF has some sick talent on the D-line, so his numbers should increase while his overall impact certainly will.
I should add, if he’s not in the top 10, which most of these lists have him in, he’s deserving of an honorable mention slot. A two-time All-American, and pre-season Playboy All-American this year qualifies.
{ 1 trackback }