6 College Football Defenders Who Will Explode in 2012

As teams across the country continue their spring practices, fans and media are receiving their first looks at the standout talent spread throughout the nation in 2012, hoping to spot the breakout stars of next season.

Fans of defense will not be disappointed, as the coming year looks to be chock-full of talented young tacklers looking to make a name for themselves in 2012. Whether it's in the secondary or on the line, a dominant defender can alter a team's entire game plan by their mere presence, and these athletes will look to do just that in the coming year.

Here at Bleacher Report, we did our best to find the six breakout stars that will give offensive coordinators headaches in the coming year.

LB Shayne Skov (Stanford)

Despite a very bad start to the year, talented Stanford LB Shayne Skov looks to be gearing up for a very impressive 2012.

Coming off a devastating knee injury that left him off of the field for most of 2011, Skov will need rehabilitate both his leg and his image if he hopes to return to prominence this season. The Cardinal's top tackler in 2010, as well as last season before his injury, Skov returns to a linebacking corp that is one of the deepest in the nation. 

The talented linebacker was considering a jump to the pros last season before his injury and off-the-field mistakes postponed his plans.

If he wants his draft stock to return to pre-2011 levels, Skov will need to have a very stellar year and, with his natural ability and the talent surrounding him, likely will. 

DB David Amerson (NC State)

Returning from a record-setting sophomore campaign, Wolfpack DB David Amerson should establish himself as one of the premier defenders in the nation in 2012.

Already a first-team All-American in only his second season, Amerson intercepted 13 passes for NC State, good enough to tie the ACC single season mark for INTs and lead the nation in the category.

Amerson's stats may take a slight dip in 2012 due to his raised profile, but an avid student of the game such as Amerson should still find ways to wreak havoc on QBs next season.

If Amerson can continue to improve this year, he should challenge Tyrann Mathieu as the top defensive back in the country next season.

LB Denicos Allen (Michigan State)

Blessed with a natural love of "causing havoc," Allen put himself on the national radar in 2011 by his knack for freakishly athletic plays, and 2012 should only increase his notoriety.

One of the focal points of a dangerous Spartans' defense last year, Allen finished second in the Big Ten in sacks and fourth in tackles for losses, as well as finishing second on the team in total tackles. Despite his small stature (5'10", 220), Allen should have a big year for Michigan State in 2012 and has already predicted at least 10 sacks for himself this season.

If Allen can translate his natural ferociousness into consistently strong play for the Spartans, Michigan State's defense will be a daunting matchup for opposing offenses. 

DE Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina)

One of the highest-touted prospects in last year's recruiting class, Clowney proved he was worth the hype with a tremendous freshman year, and 2012 should only further justify his reputation.

A bonafide freak in terms of size and athleticism, Clowney recorded eight sacks and tied for second in the SEC in forced fumbles with five in 2011. He performed well enough for SEC Freshman of the Year honors, despite trouble adjusting to the Gamecocks' system.

Clowney has apparently shown good progress so far in becoming more acclimated to South Carolina's schemes and should have an impressive sophomore campaign with added experience and time to mature.

Called out during spring practice for poor performance, Clowney still must improve his work ethic and consistency by next season, but he should become one of the best lineman in the nation in 2012.

LB Brian Wagner (Arizona)

A relative unknown on the national scale, recent transfer Brian Wagner will look to next season to prove his impressive stats aren't just a result of lower competition.

Wagner graduated from Akron this past December and took advantage of the same rule that permitted Russell Wilson's departure to Wisconsin last season to spend his last year of eligibility with the Wildcats.

Wagner accounted for 147 tackles in 2011, good enough to finish third in the nation in total tackles, and will be a much-needed addition to a depleted Arizona linebacking corp. New defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel no doubt appreciates this unexpected addition to his depth chart, and Wagner should be a major factor in Casteel's new 3-3-5 defensive scheme.

If Wagner can even come close to his 2011 totals while playing in the offensively-powered Pac-12, he should do a lot to increase his national profile in 2012.

DB Quandre Diggs (Texas)

Quandre Diggs came in as a highly-regarded prospect for Mack Brown and the Longhorns, but even they didn't expect him to mature as quickly as he did. Now that the surprises are out of the way, 2012 should be Diggs' opportunity to establish himself as a top-tier talent nationwide.

The Freshman Defensive Player of the Year in the Big 12 last season, Diggs was called upon early to produce for the Longhorns and did not disappoint. The undersized freshman led the team in interceptions and punt returns, recorded 51 tackles and started 11 games for the Longhorns. The younger brother of San Diego Charger Quentin Jammer, Diggs' 2012 campaign should show NFL scouts that he belongs in the same league as his sibling.

Diggs' next season suffered a minor setback during spring practice when he was knocked out for the remainder of practices with a broken wrist, but as long as his recovery progresses as expected, Diggs' should go on to have a spectacular sophomore season.