Every Top 25 College Football Team's Defensive Catalyst for 2015
If we could just get a stop...
Those words are muttered, uttered or yelled by pretty much every college football coach in the game—a communal desire for the defense to step up and make a big play. Whether it's to thwart a drive by the opponent or to force a quick possession and swing momentum in its favor, a big defensive play can do wonders for a team's chances for success.
And these are the guys who usually get it done.
Every team has that one player it can always call on to be the catalyst on defense, to make that big stop when it's needed most. They might not be the best defender on the field, but in crunch time, they're the one usually coming through.
Using Bleacher Report's post-spring practice rankings as a basis, here's our look at the defensive catalyst for every Top 25 team in the FBS.
25. Boise State
1 of 25
Kamalei Correa, DE
The official name of Kamalei Correa's position in Boise State's defense is "stud," a combination of linebacker and defensive end that can move around depending on the play. It also describes Correa's play with the Broncos, particularly in 2014, when he led the Mountain West Conference with 12 sacks and 19 tackles for loss.
Yet Correa feels he has a lot more to offer to his team, telling B.J. Rains of the Idaho State Press he "took some plays off last year."
Correa helped clinch Boise State's Fiesta Bowl win over Arizona in January when he sacked quarterback Anu Solomon in the red zone on the final play of the game.
24. Georgia Tech
2 of 25
P.J. Davis, LB
Overshadowed by Georgia Tech's stellar option run game last year was the play of P.J. Davis, who, as a first-time starter, was by far the Yellow Jackets' best defensive player.
The 5'11", 218-pound Davis led Tech with 119 tackles, including 82 of the solo variety, and he had four sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss to rank second on the team in both areas.
Davis was a two-way star in high school in Georgia, and his instincts from both positions (as well as having to practice regularly against the option) has made him one of the most technically sound tacklers in the FBS.
23. Nebraska
3 of 25
Nate Gerry, S
If Randy Gregory and his tenacious pass rushing were the face of Nebraska's defense in 2014, Nate Gerry was the heart and soul. He's also the perfect player for the Cornhuskers under new coach Mike Riley, who frequently turned to do-everything defenders like Gerry at Oregon State.
The 6'2", 205-pound Gerry had a dominant sophomore year, with 88 tackles, seven tackles for loss and five interceptions. All five of his picks came in Big Ten games.
"I feel like I was put in some leadership roles last year as a young guy," Gerry told Stephen Sipple of the Lincoln Journal Star. "I just feel I can see differently than other people can. I can relate to coaches and players a lot better than anybody else can, I feel like. If anyone has questions, they can talk to me and we can be on the same page."
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
22. LSU
4 of 25
Kendell Beckwith, LB
LSU's success in producing NFL talent often leads to mass exoduses after each season, but it also means newcomers don't have to wait long to make an impact. Kendell Beckwith had to bide his time a little longer than some, but once he got his chance midway through his sophomore year, he ran with it.
The 6'2", 245-pound Beckwith had 77 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss in 2014, with 57 tackles and 5.5 TFL coming in his eight starts.
Beckwith will play a much bigger role this year with the Tigers sporting a relatively young front seven, with new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele tapping into his drive and desire to be a leader.
21. Oklahoma State
5 of 25
Emmanuel Ogbah, DE
The reigning Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year was identified early on by Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy as someone with the potential for greatness. He said as such at the beginning of Ogbah's redshirt sophomore year in 2014, per Mark Cooper of Tulsa World, and his 11 sacks were the most of any Cowboy in Gundy's decade as head coach.
The 6'4", 275-pound Ogbah also had 17 tackles for loss, including a school-record 5.5 in a win over Kansas.
Ogbah, who figures to be a highly coveted prospect if he turns pro after this season, will likely find himself with far more double-teams, as Oklahoma State starts two new players on the interior of the defensive line.
20. Arizona
6 of 25
Scooby Wright III, LB
Of any team on this list, none has as clear-cut a catalyst as Arizona. If not for Scooby Wright, there's no way the Wildcats would have won the Pac-12 South title and reached 10 wins for the first time since 1998.
While Arizona's offense was by far the more consistent and productive unit, Wright was the reason its defense was able to make stops on occasion because he was making most of them. With 163 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 14 sacks and six forced fumbles—all of which led FBS except for the sack total (third-best)—the 6'1", 246-pound Wright was involved in seemingly every play in every game.
He also made the single biggest defensive play of 2014 for Arizona, when he stripped Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota on a sack late in the Wildcats' upset of the Ducks in early October.
19. Texas A&M
7 of 25
Myles Garrett, DE
Texas A&M still has a long way to go before it can be viewed as having a good defense, but it's headed in that direction. The arrival of Myles Garrett had a lot to do with that.
Garrett set the SEC freshman sack record with 11, despite the 6'5", 255-pound newcomer drawing the bulk of attention from blockers. This enabled the Aggies to hold opposing quarterbacks to a 56.1 percent completion rate as Garrett managed to fight through double-teams to get pressure and force bad throws.
A&M strength coach Larry Jackson told Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman that the only player he's worked with who comes anywhere close to Garrett's explosiveness was former Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson.
18. Arkansas
8 of 25
Brooks Ellis, LB
Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema might feel as if he doesn't have any "overly sexy" players on his defense for 2015, as he said Tuesday on an SEC teleconference (h/t Zac Ellis of Sports Illustrated), but it's hard not to get excited by how Brooks Ellis plays the game.
Ellis was the Razorbacks' second-leading tackler last year, despite missing two games because of injury. He also had two interceptions, two forced fumbles and five pass breakups, and now that SEC tackle leader Martrell Spaight has graduated, he'll become even more involved in the defense.
At 6'2" and 237 pounds, Ellis' junior year figures to be his best yet.
17. Oklahoma
9 of 25
Eric Striker, LB
When not able to be Oklahoma's defensive motivator, Eric Striker feels at a loss. This has been a rare occurrence over the past three seasons, but when he was unable to make an impact in the Sooners' blowout loss to Clemson in last year's Russell Athletic Bowl, it served as the final piece of motivation to come back for one more season.
"I don't want to go out like this," Striker said afterward, per Oklahoma's Twitter account. "I'll be back at OU because I'm a winner."
That means another year of Striker dominating in the middle. In 2014, he had nine sacks and 17 tackles for loss.
16. Florida State
10 of 25
Jalen Ramsey, DB
If there were more positions in the secondary to play, odds are Jalen Ramsey would tackle them at some point in his Florida State career. But he's already done them all, and with him likely to be one of the first defensive backs taken in next year's draft, there won't be a chance for him to try out another new spot after 2015.
Ramsey has played cornerback, nickel back and safety for the Seminoles, and he has excelled in every area. He was one of the nation's top safeties in 2014, but with FSU losing both starting corners, he's slotted to take over one of those jobs this fall.
The 6'1", 201-pound Ramsey will likely play corner like he did safety, with an equal emphasis on coverage and punishment. Last year, he had 79 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and 12 pass breakups.
According to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report, Ramsey is No. 9 on his 2016 draft big board and the top safety.
15. Tennessee
11 of 25
Curt Maggitt, LB
Tennessee's youth movement has been credited with providing the spark that pushed the team over the hump and into the upper half of the SEC last season. But in order for that trend to continue upward, the Volunteers need their veterans to provide leadership.
Curt Maggitt did that last year and should do so again as a senior. The 6'3", 246-pound hybrid linebacker/defensive end had 11 sacks and 15 tackles for loss after missing the previous season because of ACL surgery. Though he only started 10 games in 2014, Maggitt was as instrumental as any full-time starter.
Considered Tennessee's emotional leader, Maggitt is also who the team will turn to when in need of a big play this fall.
14. Arizona State
12 of 25
D.J. Calhoun, LB
Though he wasn't a full-time starter, that didn't take away from what D.J. Calhoun was able to accomplish as a true freshman in 2014. He frequently showed how good a player he's going to be, but also how far along he already was en route to 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and 35 tackles.
Calhoun figures to have a much more prominent role in 2015, and while he's still undersized at 6'0" and 213 pounds, he makes up for it with speed and power.
13. Georgia
13 of 25
Leonard Floyd, LB
Three Georgia defenders were drafted earlier this month, including a pair of linebackers. Yet the best of the lot still remains in Athens, as Leonard Floyd was the Bulldogs' defensive MVP in 2014.
The 6'4", 231-pound Floyd led Georgia with six sacks last year, fitting in nicely in coordinator Jeremy Pruitt's defense. With the ability to play outside linebacker or defensive end, depending on the alignment, Floyd "has all the tools that make the scouts drool," according to Kevin Causey of Yardbarker (via Fox Sports).
Ramik Wilson and Amarlo Herrera are in the NFL now, leaving Floyd as the catalyst in the middle of the defense.
12. Clemson
14 of 25
Shaq Lawson, DE
Former teammate Vic Beasley created a blueprint for how to be a catalyst off the edge in 2013 and 2014, and he translated that into becoming a first-round NFL draft pick. Shaq Lawson was Beasley's backup during that time, and now that the starting job is his, we'll get to see what he can do in a featured role.
The 6'3", 275-pound Lawson was already pretty good in a reserve role, with 7.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss in two college seasons. His 3.5 sacks and 11.5 TFL last year were both second-best on the Tigers despite his limited snaps, which came to about 23 snaps per game in 2014.
11. Ole Miss
15 of 25
Robert Nkemdiche, DT
If judged by his numbers, Robert Nkemdiche might not be the first choice to be considered a defensive catalyst. But Nkemdiche's impact doesn't come through stats as it does through disruption and helping to open doors for others to make the big play.
In that regard, there are few players in the country who do as well as Nkemdiche. The former No. 1 overall recruit in 2013 has become a top-flight tackle, yet at 6'4" and 280 pounds he still has the speed and mobility to line up outside if needed.
"A quarterback's worst nightmare is pressure up the middle, and Nkemdiche's speed and athleticism routinely helped him move the opposing quarterback out of the pocket and forced mistakes that his secondary capitalized on," Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee wrote.
Nkemdiche only had two sacks, but his pressure helped Ole Miss intercept 22 passes.
10. UCLA
16 of 25
Myles Jack, LB
Now that he's less likely to be providing a similar spark to UCLA's offense, Myles Jack can focus the entirety of his skills on dominating defensively. He was doing that already, but now there is no longer the distraction of being split between two units.
Jack has made 25 starts at linebacker in his Bruins career. The only time he didn't start there was when he made a spot start at running back in 2013. But even in that game he managed to contribute on defense, and for his career Jack has 163 tackles to go with 15 tackles for loss, three interceptions and 18 pass breakups.
The focus this season for Jack is to be more involved in work at the line of scrimmage, particularly with the pass rush, as he tries to fill the void left by leading tackler (and Butkus Award winner) Eric Kendricks. The 6'1", 232-pound Jack has handled all other tasks so far, and he figures to handle this new assignment quite well.
9. Auburn
17 of 25
Carl Lawson, DE
To understand how important Carl Lawson is to Auburn's defense, and what a difference he makes, consider first how the Tigers performed in 2014 without his services.
Lawson missed all of last year after tearing his ACL in spring practice, and his absence was quite noticeable up front. Auburn had only 21 sacks, tied for 94th in the country, and the Tigers were torched through the air because of that lack of pass pressure.
"Last year, it was very challenging to play without him because he’s an impact player and one of the better defensive players in the entire country," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn told Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee. "When you don’t have him, it's tough."
The 6'2", 257-pound junior is back and expected to have a huge impact this year, and with the chance to work under former Florida coach (now Auburn defensive coordinator) Will Muschamp, he could be in line for a huge bounce-back year.
8. Oregon
18 of 25
DeForest Buckner, DE
While Baylor's Shawn Oakman tends to get the bulk of the "Oh my gosh, that big guy is so scary" publicity, Oregon's DeForest Buckner is roughly the same size at 6'7" and 290 pounds. He's also got the kind of speed you wouldn't expect from someone with those dimensions, which is why he was able to lead the Ducks in tackles for loss with 13 while notching an impressive 81 tackles.
Buckner could have turned pro after his junior year like fellow defensive end Arik Armstead, but he opted to come back and hone a skill set that also includes being able to line up at defensive tackle. He is projected by NFL Draft Scout as the top defensive end in the 2016 class, though that ranking doesn't factor in underclassmen who might declare after this season.
7. Notre Dame
19 of 25
Jaylon Smith, LB
Jaylon Smith never had a chance to ease into the college game, as he was thrown into Notre Dame's starting lineup in the first game of his freshman season in 2013. He became the first true freshman for the Fighting Irish to start at outside linebacker since 1995, but he played like a veteran and made the decision a smart one.
It was only rivaled by the choice to move him inside in 2014, where Smith led Notre Dame in tackles (112) and tackles for loss (nine). He tied for the team lead with 3.5 sacks.
The 6'2", 235-pound Smith was especially involved down the stretch, as he had at least nine tackles in his final four games, including three straight games of 10 or more.
6. USC
20 of 25
Su'a Cravens, LB
The loose definition of "catalyst" is something that causes a change without undergoing one of its own. For Su'a Cravens, he's been able to make a difference despite plenty of change on his part due to moving positions.
Cravens came to USC as a top-flight safety recruit, and he starred at that position as a freshman in 2013. Last season, he was needed to provide a spark closer to the line of scrimmage, and the 6'1", 225-pound Cravens was converted into a hybrid linebacker/safety.
The move paid off huge for him and the Trojans, as he had a team-high 17 tackles for loss as well as five sacks while also recording three interceptions (scoring a touchdown on one) and breaking up nine passes.
5. Alabama
21 of 25
Reggie Ragland, LB
A year after having to replace one of the best linebackers in school history in C.J. Mosley, Alabama fans are wondering who will step in for Reggie Ragland after 2015. They didn't have to speculate on this any earlier after Ragland chose to come back for his senior season, and he solidified his place as the Crimson Tide's most important defensive player by doing so.
Not as flashy or explosive as other linebackers in the country, the 6'2", 252-pound Ragland might better be described as dependable and solid. Yet he still finds a way to make the big play at key moments, finishing 2014 with 95 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss.
Ragland was named Alabama's defensive MVP after four different games, per his online bio, and was the SEC Defensive Player of the Week after recording a career-high 13 tackles.
4. TCU
22 of 25
James McFarland, DE
TCU's defense could look vastly different this year, as it either graduated or lost via early NFL entry half of its secondary and all of its linebacking corps. But thanks to James McFarland up front, the Horned Frogs aren't in jeopardy of slipping.
McFarland moved into the starting lineup midway through last season and finished with a team-high seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss, which was second on the team behind linebacker Paul Dawson. The 6'3", 248-pound end finished on a high note by being named the Peach Bowl defensive MVP, and now he heads into his senior year as the Frogs' leader up front.
3. Michigan State
23 of 25
Shilique Calhoun, DE
Though he's settled into a more traditional pass-rusher role as one who finds his way around or through offensive linemen to get to the quarterback, Shilique Calhoun first made a name for himself by making field-flipping plays. In 2013, he scored three defensive touchdowns in Michigan State's first two games, one on a 56-yard interception return and the others on fumble runbacks.
The 6'5", 250-pound Calhoun didn't score in 2014, but he was still the Spartans' spark on defense with eight sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. He was a potential first-round pick in the 2015 NFL draft but opted to return for his senior year, hoping to lead MSU on one more push toward the playoffs.
He's also updated his alter ego, which he dubbed "Bane" last year but now has become "Lynx," per Mike Griffith of MLive.com.
"It's a new persona and a new attitude towards the game," Calhoun said. "For anybody who doesn't know, a lynx is like a bobcat. Bane is still here though."
2. Baylor
24 of 25
Shawn Oakman, DE
Even if he didn't have the numbers to back it up, Shawn Oakman's presence on the field might be enough to spark a big defensive play. Seeing his 6'9", 280-pound frame looming over the edge of the line, his ears pinned back as he prepares to steamroll toward the quarterback, has the capability of making blockers flinch and ball-carriers stutter.
Oakman also has the power to turn his stare into an Internet sensation, one that now symbolizes convincing others you're right without having to do much about it.
In 2014, Oakman had 11 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, three pass breakups and was credited with another eight quarterback hurries, per CFBStats.com. It's unknown how many plays the senior has caused to be changed at the line for fear he might instantly blow them up.
1. Ohio State
25 of 25
Joey Bosa, DE
It's hard to fathom anything more dispiriting than to see your opponent make a big play and the catalyst of that play quickly stands up and...shrugs.
Welcome to the world of teams that have had to deal with Ohio State's Joey Bosa, one of the fiercest defenders in the game but also one who unintentionally rubs it in after every big play.
But Bosa is far more than a player with a quirky post-sack celebration, he's also a potential No. 1 overall draft pick in 2016 if he comes out after his junior year.
As Penn State coach James Franklin told Doug Lesmerises of Cleveland.com:
"You're looking at a guy who is 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds, and he is able to play with quickness and to play with power. A lot of times you can find guys that are extremely strong and powerful and explosive at the point of attack, but they maybe don't have the quickness as a pass rusher. He has a rare combination that he can beat you with speed and quickness but he can also beat you with power.
"
In 2014, 21 of Bosa's 55 tackles were for loss, including 13.5 sacks.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
