The Top Five College Football Players To Watch for in 2009: Defense

This big defensive lineman, 6'5", 365 pounds, made an immediate impact for Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2008.

Cody arrived from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where he recorded 79 tackles and 6 sacks in two years. Cody was ranked in rivals.com top 50 junior college players in the country.

Saban knew he was getting a stud in Cody, and I believe he got what he expected from this monster.

Cody had a pretty solid '08 season. His numbers were not amazing, just 23 tackles and 0.5 sacks, but he was named to the All SEC First Team, and he was an AP All American.

Cody should have a very good 2009 season for the Crimson Tide. He should top 40 tackles, and have over 6 sacks. He should make all the headline teams as he did in '08.

Taylor Mays had a spectacular 2008 season, and it's hard not to see him on this list somewhere.

Prior to the 2008 season, he was named as a preseason All American. The USC faithful realized what they had in the defensive backfield, and Mays didn't let them down.

Even though USC's hard hitting safety didn't pick up and interception all year long, he had a team high eight pass deflections, and 53 tackles. His numbers were not as expected, but his presence and impact on defense helped the Trojans to hold opposing offenses to just six touchdown passes all year.

Look for Mays and his numbers to improve in 2009. He is the best safety in the Pac-10, and will be a top defensive back in the country.

I look for the USC star to have over 60 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 5 picks. He should be atop the list for the All Pac-10 first team, and look for him to be a candidate on the All American squad.

Eric Berry became a breakout defensive star in 2008 for the Tennessee Volunteers, even if his squad didn't have much success themselves.

Berry had a great year as a junior. His seven interceptions led the country. He also set a few records in '08. He became the SEC's all time leader in career interception return yards. He also set the single season interception return yard record.

Berry didn't just pick off balls and return them for monster yards, he was also a physical hard hitting defensive back for the Vols. He had 72 tackles and 3 sacks for the year. His big play was really one of few defensive sparks for Tennessee all season long.

The Vols new head man, Lane Kiffin, should be very thankful his best defensive attribute is coming back for '09. Berry could have easily been a first rounder in this years NFL draft.

I expect a lot from Berry in 2009. I believe he can top 75 tackles, 5 sacks, and have 9 picks. Those types of numbers will help the All SEC first team selection, and also help him to be named an All American, again.

Not many linebackers had a better 2008 than Missouri's best, Sean Weatherspoon.

The Missouri monster recorded 149 tackles, 5 sacks, and 3 interceptions for the Tigers in 08.

His monster game in the season opener in the win over Illinois, 9 tackles, 2 interceptions, and a touchdown, set the tone for his stellar season.

Weatherspoon should be the best defender in the Big 12 in 2009, bearing any kind of injuries or anything like that. He should have another monster season. I expect him to go over 155 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and 5 interceptions.

Those kind of numbers should put him back on the All Big 12 First Team, and make him a back to back All American.

After hearing that this defensive freak was returning for the 2009 season, I knew right away who would be the runaway favorite as not only the best linebacker in the country, but the best defensive man in the country.

Brandon Spikes is coming off a heck of a 2008 season.

Spikes helped the Gators to a 13-1 record, an SEC championship, and its second BCS championship in three years.

Oh, his numbers were pretty nice as well.

Spikes recorded 87 tackles, 2 sacks, and 4 interceptions in 2008. Those numbers may not look as strong as the No. 2 selection, Sean Weatherspoon, but Spikes was the nucleus of the strongest defense in the country.

Spikes had 10 other very, very, talented guys running all around him, which made his job much easier, but the numbers he did put up were still very, very, solid.

Look for Spikes to do much of the same in 2009. All 10 of his running mates from last years championship team are returning. The Gators will have the best overall defense in the country, again, and Spikes will be the main reason why.

Look for his numbers to improve though. He should top 95 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and five picks. He will be on the All SEC first team again, and will be an All American for the second straight season.

1. Trevard Lindley - Explosive corner for Kentucky, look for him to have another strong season and be the key to another solid Wildcat defense.
Season predictions: 61 tackles, 4 sacks, 8 interceptions

2. George Selvie - Didn't have the type of 2008 many experts, and especially South Florida fans expected. Look for him to improve in '09 and be the Bulls best defensive man.

Season predictions: 55 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 2 interceptions

3. Greg Hardy - Hard not seeing him in the top five, because this guy is a beast. He missed some time a year ago due to injuries, but he should be healthy and ready to go in '09.

Look for him to have a big year for Ole Miss, helping them to win the big games they will need to win in the SEC.
Season predictions: 57 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 1 interception

4. Jerry Hughes - Many may not know this man, mainly because he is a TCU Horned Frog, but he had a stellar 2008. Hughes picked up over 50 tackles, 15 sacks, and 2 picks for TCU a year ago. Expect much of the same from this guy in '09.

He will be the key for TCU to continue their success.
Season predictions: 62 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 1 interception