College Teams That Will Have the Best Defensive Lines for the 2012-2013 Season

Football games are won in the trenches; that is a fact. The ability to both stop the run and the pass is important for every team, and it is why teams with excellent defensive lines almost always find themselves in BCS bowls.

To make this list, a team had to have at least one NFL prospect and a top 20 defense. I also had to focus on the backups for the teams. After all, depth is a huge factor in determining the strengths of a defensive line. 

Offense lovers, you have been warned. This article will be focused on the big guys up front, and which teams will have the best ones.

Florida State

Simply put, FSU will have the best defensive line in the country next season. Returning talent and a great recruiting class will ensure that the No.1 rushing defense and No.4 total defense won't lose a step next season.

Defensive ends Brandon Jenkins and Bjoern Werner have become a monstrous duo this past season, combining for 68 tackles and 14 sacks in 2011. Both have speed and power that show on the field.

Their backups are incoming recruits Chris Casher and Mario Edwards. The Seminole defensive end position is possibly the best in the country.

On the inside, Timmy Jernigan and Everette Dawkins provide a menacing threat. While they may not have the most gaudy stats, they are both pretty consistent, which is really all you could ask for.

Behind them will be Justin Shanks, Dalvon Stuckey and Eddie Goldman, who you might remember as being one of the steals of the recruiting cycle. All may actually compete for the starting jobs, but even as backups for a year, they would make a big impact.

For a team with big expectations, next season will be a huge year. I believe the defensive line will help them carry that load.

Louisiana State

LSU should have no problem returning to the National Championship if they're defense shows as much firepower as it did last year. Losing Michael Brockers hurts, but the Tigers shouldn't have too hard a time replacing him.

Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo are two speed demons that get off the line fast; it's amazing that teams are even able to guard them. Both are sure-fire first rounders that combined for 19.5 sacks and 26.5 tackles for loss last year.

This year's recruiting class only gave them one defensive end, though from their roster for next year, it looks like they only really needed one. 

The defensive tackle position may not be the strength of the group, but it is still noticeable. Bennie Logan may not have gotten the attention of many people last year considering he was lined up with Brockers, but he still stood out with 57 tackles and three sacks.

Backing him up are Josh Downs and Anthony Johnson, both guys who could step in at a moment's notice.

Many people look at this LSU team and think the secondary is the unit to beat. But don't overlook this defensive line, as that is where all the dirty work is done.

Texas

The Longhorns are looking to rebound from the past two seasons and some horrific losses. The development of their defensive line will help soothe their woes.

Alex Okafor and Jackson Jeffcoat headline this unit, as both are looking at first round selections. Both had pretty high hopes when they were recruited (Jeffcoat and Okafor were the No.1 recruits at their positions for their classes.) If either can replicate the numbers from last season, this Texas team can mark the defensive end position off their concerns.

Texas always brings in monster recruiting classes, and the ones behind Jeffcoat and Okafor are names like Caleb Bluiett, Bryce Cottrell and Hassan Ridgeway. Injuries are not a concern for this unit.

However, at the defensive tackle position, there are some legitimate questions. Ashton Dorsey and Des Jackson seem like the go-to guys, but neither really stood out. There could be some shuffling at the tackle position, especially considering the guys waiting behind them.

Guys like Brandon Moore, Chris Whaley, Malcom Brown, Paul Boyette Jr. and Alex Norman will make sure that if there's an opening for DT, they are on the spot.

Next year's Longhorn team will tell us a lot about where the program is and if it's ready to be back in the national spotlight.

South Carolina

Questions will be surrounding South Carolina going into next season as to whether or not they have the talent to win the SEC East. The defensive line should be part of that answer.

While it hurts to lose Melvin Ingram, returning defensive ends Devin Taylor and Jadeveon Clowney will easily pick up for the loss of production. Both are amazing players that combined for 69 tackles and 11 sacks. Both probably have NFL futures.

Depth at the position includes Chaz Sutton, Aldrick Fordham, Darius English and Jhaustin Thomas. Clearly, the defensive end position is in good hands.

The situation at the defensive tackle position is a little less clear. While Kelcy Quarles is slated to have a good season, Byron Jerideau (starter opposite to Quarles) still has questions surrounding him. If he isn't able to live up to expectations, there are still guys capable of starting over him.

Those guys being J.T. Surrat, Gerald Dixon and Carlos Hood. Phillip Dukes is also in the fray, but he has been off most people's radar for a while.

This Gamecock squad has a nice mix of upper and underclassmen, so the NFL Draft shouldn't be too devastating to them.

Florida

7-6 seasons are not what is expected in Gainesville, and they know that. This defense is the closest to fixing this.

The talent at the defensive end position is bursting out the seams. While Ronald Powell is sidelined with an ACL injury (until around October), one of the talented recruits will probably have a chance to take his place. Opposite of him will probably be Earl Okine. 

The depth is what really pushed the Gators here. Jonathan Bullard, Bryan Cox Jr., Dante Fowler Jr., Alex McCalister and Quinteze Williams will all probably compete for Powell's spot. Any one of them could easily get the spot and immediately contribute for this Gator squad. Any concerns of injury need to be put to rest.

For once on this list, the defensive tackle position looks the most optimistic. Sharrif Floyd will probably move back to DT—where he naturally belongs—alongside Dominique Easley, who is also coming off an ACL tear. Omar Hunter could also be shuffling in and out with them.

Recruiting once again saves the day, as the tackle position will be getting Damien Jacobs, JaFar Mann and Dante Phillips. Depth is not a concern for these Gators.

The first couple of games of the season for Florida will be spent moving guys around and seeing what is best. Once that is all settled though, they will become one of the best defensive lines in the country.