College Football 2011: Top 15 Defensive Players Going into the Season

Take a glance at the preseason magazines, and most of them have offensive stars on the cover.

That's right. You'll see Andrew Luck, Michael Dyer, LaMichael James and many other offensive stars.

However, look hard enough and maybe you'll find a defensive player leading the way.

It's likely the offensive players sell more magazines, but great defenders help their team win games.

Going into the 2011 season, there are at least 15 defenders who are clearly the best.

Here's a look at those best defenders heading into the fall.

15. Luke Kuechly, ILB (Boston College)

Luke Kuechly, a 6'3", 235-pound junior, burst onto the scene as a freshman and he continues to be a tackling machine.

In two seasons, Kuechly has amassed 329 tackles.

The Boston College All-American is the leader of a solid defense that should keep the Eagles in many games this fall.

If Kuechly has another stellar season, 2011 might be his final one at BC.

14. Manti Te'o, ILB (Notre Dame)

Manti Te'o has started at inside linebacker since he set foot on the Notre Dame campus in 2009.

The 6'2", 225-pound junior had 133 tackles last year for an Irish defense that saw marked improvement in the final four games last year.

Te'o has been the most consistent performer of that unit and he'll be their leader again in 2011.

13. Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)

Stephon Gilmore is an All-SEC performer who hasn't necessarily lived up to his potential.

The former South Carolina Prep Player of the Year has the ability to shut down the best receivers in the game and Steve Spurrier is expecting much more from the 6'1", 190-pound junior.

He recorded 79 tackles last year and led the team with three interceptions.

Gilmore is a great season away from leaving early for the NFL.

12. Billy Winn, DT (Boise State)

Billy Winn is the best player on a defensive line that has the potential to be the best in the nation.

The 6'4", 295-pound senior is a preseason All-American, and he's on the Bednarik Award watch list.

Boise was second in the nation in total defense last year, and Winn played a key role.

11. Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)

Alfonzo Dennard was overshadowed by All-American Prince Amukamara the past two seasons. Now Dennard is the stud cornerback as Nebraska enters the Big Ten.

Dennard earned second-team All-Big 12 honors last season after recording 30 tackles, four interceptions and seven passes defended.

The 5'10", 205-pounder is primed to be Nebraska's second consecutive first-round pick from its defensive backfield.

10. Robert Lester, S (Alabama)

Alabama's defense is so talented that Robert Lester almost gets overlooked.

That is not the case when offensive coordinators are game planning for the Crimson Tide.

The 6'2", 210-pound Lester always seems to be around the ball as he led the SEC with eight interceptions as a sophomore.

He earned second team All-SEC honors as a safety, and expectations are even higher this year for the outstanding athlete.

9. Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)

When it comes to NFL folks, they think Quinton Coples might be the top defensive player in the 2012 draft.

Coples played both end and tackle last year and finished with 10 sacks for a North Carolina squad that was decimated by player suspensions and dismissals.

At 6'6", 245, Coples is a bit underweight for a defensive lineman, so he is more likely to play end more this season.

If Coples lives up to the hype, he could easily elevate to the top of this list.

8. Courtney Upshaw, OLB (Alabama)

Alabama's Courtney Upshaw became a terror on defense last year.

He shined brightest at the end of last season, especially in the Iron Bowl and then against Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl.

He begins 2011 on the watch lists for the Butkus Award and Lombardi Award.

7. Cliff Harris, CB (Oregon)

As good as Cliff Harris is at covering receivers, Oregon's fans love to watch this guy return punts.

Harris had six interceptions in 2011, but he also returned four punts for touchdowns.

The 5'11', 165-pound Harris was a first-team All-American as a returner and second-team as a corner.

This year he's likely to flip those.

6. Brandon Jenkins, DE (Florida State)

Florida State's Brandon Jenkins has put on some much-needed weight after his unreal sophomore season.

Jenkins amassed 13.5 sacks as the Seminoles led the nation with 48. He also recorded 21.5 tackles for a loss.

This year will be a big season for Jenkins, as offenses will go after him with more double teams and other plans to neutralize him.

5. Travis Lewis, OLB (Oklahoma)

Like many others on this list, Travis Lewis could have left the college game behind for the NFL.

But he's another guy who thinks his team could play for a BCS Championship this year and he wanted to be a part of it.

The 6'2", 233-pound linebacker has led the Sooners in tackles for three consecutive seasons, and that shouldn't change in 2011.

Lewis is a vocal leader, and Bob Stoops will need that from him as the Sooners will rely on its defense to win the Big 12.

4. Dont'a Hightower, ILB (Alabama)

After a serious knee injury in 2009, Hightower's future was murky.

He put a lot of concerns to rest with his performance in 2010.

At 6'4", 260 pounds, Hightower has freakish speed and love to level a big hit.

He's a nightmare for most offensive linemen in the SEC as he is one of the best bull rushers in the game.

He's also on almost every preseason All-American team and has a good chance of being a first-round pick in 2012.

3. Mark Barron, S (Alabama)

Mark Barron is looking to put a pectoral injury behind him and get back to being the hardest-hitting safety in the nation.

At 6'2", 215, Barron is going to play in the NFL in 2012. Right now he's focused on getting Alabama back on top.

What makes him so special is he can cover any receiver, but also stop a bruising running back like a linebacker.

Barron had 77 tackles last season with three interceptions. The year before he had seven interceptions.

2. Vontaze Burfict, ILB (Arizona State)

Vontaze Burfict may be the most intense and hardest hitting defensive player in all of college football.

Because of his style he also has a history of committing a few unnecessary personal fouls along the way.

The 6'3", 253-pound linebacker is so physically gifted that he didn't work hard at his craft. That has changed, especially this spring when he was committed to getting into shape.

If Burfict is actually focused, prepared and determined there may not be anyone in the Pac-12 who can stop him.

1. Jared Crick, DT (Nebraska)

Here's some advice for any offensive lineman in the Big Ten: Call a few peers from the Big 12 and seek out some tips on how to stop Nebraska's Jared Crick.

Unfortunately, not many of them would have much to offer about the 6'6", 285-pound defensive tackle.

Crick, a preseason All-American by almost every publication, could have been a first-round pick if he would have decided to leave for the NFL last year.

He's a beast and the leader of Bo Pelini's talented defense.

Do you remember Ndamukong Suh? Well, Crick has the potential to have that type of impact this fall.