While offense may dominate highlight reels, it’s the defense that usually separates the contenders from the pretenders. This year is no exception. There are at least ten Bowl Championship Series (BSC) programs with the talent to field high quality defenses. Five of them have the talent to elevate their team to new heights.1. North Carolina Tar Heels: Head coach Butch Davis certainly knows defense and his 2010 version could be the best in the history of the program. No other school in the nation can boast having five (S Deunta Williams, DE Robert Quinn, DT Marvin Austin and LBs Bruce Carter and Quan Sturdivant) potential first round NFL draft candidates on their roster. But what really separates North Carolina form the pack is depth.
That depth is no more present than on the linebacker corps where every member of the rotation, including the reserves, should play on Sundays. It all starts with Carter, a projected top 10 pick, who is hands down the best outside linebacker in the nation. The 6-foot-3, 230 pounds senior anchors the strong side in Davis’ attacking version of the 3-4. The weak side is manned by another highly regarded prospect, Sturdivant, while the middle is in the equally capable hands of Kevin Reddick. Waiting for the chance to get into the field are two highly regarded players, redshirt freshman William Hyman and sophomore Shane Mularkey.
Few adjectives describe better the Heel’s defensive line than ‘intimidating’. Defensive tackle Austin and DE Quinn are sure fire top 15 picks. Both are superior pass rushers with intimidating run support ability. Juniors Quinton Coples and Tydreke Powell, both of whom projects as a high picks next April, are just as active. Look for talented sophomore Donte Paige-Moss, to be more involve in the rotation.
Williams may command much of the preseason headlines, but the secondary is far more than a just a “one man gang” with senior CB Kendric Burney shutting down the right side. There’s a bit of concern on the left thanks to senior Charles Brown’s inconsistencies.
2. Iowa Hawkeyes: Others teams may have better, overall talent but few play with the consistency of the perpetually underrated Hawkeyes. Norm Parker enters his 12th year as defensive coordinator with arguable the most athletic unit of his regime.
The defensive line should be the backbone of the defense. It all starts at left defensive end where all everything Adrain Clayborn resides. The 6-foot-4, 286 pounder was considered a sure fire, top 10 2011 NFL Draft prospect before he was charge for assaulting a cab driver early in the year. Still, his on-the field talent can not be denied. He is a difference maker; just ask Georgia Tech which got stuffed by the big and agile Clayborn in the Orange Bowl. The rest of the line is solid with DE Broderick Binns, and defensive tackles Karl Klug and Christian Ballard. Ballard, a senior, is a unique player who usually commands two blockers which allows Clayborn and Binns to have more leeway outside.
The secondary is the best in the Big Ten with an All American candidate at strong safety (Tyler Sash), an all conference free safety, (Brett Greenwood), and two speedy corners (Shaun Prater and Micah Hyde).
The weak-link may be the linebackers where inexperience surrounds the unit. MLB Troy Johnson, who performed adequately last season as a backup, needs to do a better job sealing the left side. WLB Jeremiha Hunter is a fast and agile player with the range to cover backs and tight ends, but needs to add toughness to his game. The same goes to strong side linebacker Tyler Nielsen.
3. Oklahoma Sooners: It could come as a surprise to see the Sooners, a team which lost two highly regarded linemen, including the NFL draft’s number three pick, being listed this high, but their talent level is just that good.
The secondary is loaded with potential all conference honorees. Strong safety Sam Proctor had 10 picks in 2009 and looks to be a great fit in centerfield. FS Quinton Carter is a ball hawk playmaker with the speed and agility to cover any wide receiver. The corners are filled with potential, starting with former S Jonathan Nelson. The 5-foot-11 Nelson should be better on the left side than he was in the middle. RCB Demontre Hurts saw plenty of action as a freshman last fall, flashing top tier potential.
Defensive coordinator Brent Venables employs an attacking version of the 3-4 which requires fast moving linebackers, especially on the weak side. Current incumbent, Travis Lewis, fill that bill and then some. The 6-foot-2 junior was Oklahoma’s top tackler last fall often displaying seldom-seen explosiveness for the position. MLB Tom Wort is strong, although he lacks speed. Look for either sophomore Daniel Franklin or junior Austin Box to cut into his playing time sooner rather than later.
The line is in a rebuilding mode. Gone is Gerald McCoy, a force inside. His replacement is highly recruited sophomore Jamarkus McFarland. Adrian Taylor is the other tackle. The strength of the unit resides on the outside with the tandem of All American candidate, Jeremy Beal, and the ultra quick Frank Alexander.
4. Miami Hurricanes: Much had been written about the ‘U’ being back among the ranks of college football elite. At the heart of this perceived comeback lays three straight top 15 recruiting classes, which was heavily tilted towards the defense. Because of this emphasis, the ‘Canes now fields the fastest unit in the ACC.
Speed reigns supreme on the line with ends Allen Bailey, a potential All American, and Andrew Smith. DT Curtis Porter is a budding star as is his backup, fellow sophomore Marcus Forston. The linebacker corps is bound to be better thanks to the return from injury of SLB Colin McCarthy. Keep an eye on junior WSL Ramon Buchanan who last year showed flashes of greatness.
Miami returns their top seven defensive backs from 2009. The corners, led by Brandon Harris, a projected high NFL pick, are solid, if not spectacular while the safeties (Vaughn Telemaque and Jared Campbell) appears to be just as good.
5. Ohio State Buckeyes: Every other year, head coach Jim Tressel and his Buckeyes assemble a strong-enough defense to spur national championship talk in Columbus. Ohio State will try to defend its Big XX title armed with what is probably the second best linebacker corps in America.
Ross Homan, OSU’s top tackler in 2009, patrols the weak side while rising star, Brian Rolle clog the middle. The player to watch could be junior Andrew Sweat. The line does need work in the interior. Neither Dexter Larimore nor John Simon offers anything special there. The highly of the line is end Cameron Heyward who should blossom into a star this season.
Both corners, Devon Torrence and Chimdi Chekwa, have shut down skills while FS Jermale Hines is tough to beat. The star of the group is sophomore strong safety Orhian Johnson who should gather some all-conference honors in his first full season as a starter.
By Raul Colon
rcolon@nfldraftdog.com
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