Georgia Football: The 7 Best Defensive Players on the Squad

The best player of the 2010 Georgia Bulldogs defense was defensive end Justin Houston, but who is going to earn that title for the 2011 squad?

Houston, now a drafted rookie with the Kansas City Chiefs, tore SEC offensive lines up by racking up 10 sacks last season, second in the conference only to Auburn's Nick Fairley.

While I'm of the opinion that offense is what dictates the game of college football, the SEC is a different animal. It's virtually a pre-NFL where defense actually matters.

That's outlining the top defenses and their top performers is an important part of preseason conference prognosticating.

Here the top seven Bulldog defenders to watch in the upcoming season.

Kwame Geathers

Rivals Rating: 3-stars

2010 Stats: Nada

Kwame Geathers' appearance on this list comes from the fact that he's a perfect fit for nose tackle in the 3-4 defense and also because he's quite simply worked his ass off over the offseason.

He was named the spring's MVP, a tough award to earn among players like Aaron Murray and Brandon Boykin.

The 6'6", 325-pound converted offensive lineman will bring tremendous work ethic to the Georgia Bulldog defensive line.

DeAngelo Tyson

Rivals Rating: 4-stars

2010 Stats: 35 tackles, 1.5 sacks

DeAngelo Tyson's time has come on the defensive line for the Georgia Bulldogs.

He has been a great team player during his three years in Athens. Tyson has played all over the line including serving as the nose tackle in new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham's 3-4 scheme.

He finally gets to come home to defensive end, which suits his 6'2", 290-pound frame perfectly for a big senior season.

Jarvis Jones

Rivals Rating: 4-stars

20(09) Stats: 13 tackles

Jarvis Jones will finally have a chance to show his natural talents when he starts at outside linebacker for the Georgia Bulldogs in 2011. The USC transfer is a native of the state of Georgia.

Jones suffered a neck injury that sidelined him for all of 2010 as a Trojan. The team's doctors wouldn't clear him to play, so he was jumped at the opportunity to come home and play in the red and black.

Jones has incredible speed and will get to use it for three full years of eligibility in Athens.

Bacarri Rambo

Rivals Rating: 3-star

2010 Stats: 76 tackles, three interceptions.

Bacarri Rambo is an athlete to the core. That was his official title as a football player when he was being recruited out of high school according to Rivals.com.

He was second on the team in tackles last year and tied for first in interceptions. Playing the free safety position, Rambo makes a habit out of delivering huge blows to the opposing wide receivers.

He'll do anything to help the team, including sacrificing his body to save a touchdown like the did two years ago.

And you just can't be that name.

John Jenkins

Rivals Rating: 4-star

2010 Stats: 41 tackles, two sacks (Gulf Coast Community College)

"Big John" Jenkins was a highly recruited junior college transfer during the 2011 class. The Georgia Bulldogs were the winners, and you can bet that Jenkins is a great bet to play nose guard in the 3-4.

He stands at 6'4" and a beefy 340 pounds, which makes his body the prototypical nose guard type.

Of course, he'll compete with the aforementioned Geathers, but there's nothing wrong with a solid defensive line rotation.

Jenkins is a new player to Georgia, but as a JUCO transfer, he'll come in very mature and ready to contribute in a big way immediately. 

Brandon Boykin

Rivals Rating: 4-stars

2010 Stats: 41 tackles, one sack, three interceptions

I feel like cornerback Brandon Boykin has been a Georgia Bulldog for longer than three years, but that's just the kind of player he is.

The senior makes his presence known in such a way that it feels like he has been doing it for years and years.

Boykin regularly defends the opposing team's top wide receiving threat, which meant he had the duty of chasing guys like South Carolina's Alshon Jeffrey, who was held without a touchdown in their 2010 clash.

Boykin may not be exactly like former Bulldog cornerback Champ Bailey, but he is highly regarded as a pass defender in the SEC.

Christian Robinson

Rivals Rating: 4-stars

2010 Stats: 40 tackles, two sacks

Christian Robinson is the heart and sole of the Georgia Bulldog defense. But don't take my word for it. Take the words of former Bulldog Jeff Owens who's now with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Many of these kind of players lack the physical tools to really be able to perform on the field (think Rudy Ruettiger), but Robinson is an exception. He has good size and speed and always shows up for big games.

As one of the two middle linebackers in the 3-4, Robinson's talent and leadership will be on full display in 2011.