CFB Defenses That Will Offer No Escape
Possessing a good defense is generally the hallmark of a successful football program.
It can help to compensate for a sputtering offense—and even generate points via the creation of turnovers. This piece will speak about 10 teams equipped with what should be very good defensive units in 2015.
The appearance on this list will encompass a few items—including returning starters, conference affiliation (in terms of one's schedule) and sheer talent.
Honorable Mentions: Clemson, TCU, UCF, Virginia Tech, Miami, Southern Cal, Wisconsin, Utah, Arkansas, Louisville, UCLA, Stanford, Pitt, Virginia, Texas and Missouri.
Alabama
1 of 10
Unsurprisingly, there are Alabama players littered throughout the preseason All-SEC teams.
The anchor of the group is defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson. At 6'4", 312 pounds, he's an absolute mountain of a man. Along with Jarran Reed and Jonathan Allen, the trio forms the best defensive line in the SEC.
Reggie Ragland solidifies things up the middle at middle linebacker. He's a heady player with terrific instincts and hitting ability.
While the secondary was prone to allowing the big play in 2014, the group should be improved under the tutelage of new defensive backs coach Mel Tucker. Eddie Jackson and Cyrus Jones function as the leaders within this group.
When it comes down to it, this is Alabama. Nick Saban has recruited as well as anyone. The Crimson Tide will be plugging in 4- and 5-star talent at virtually every position.
With eight starters returning, the Crimson Tide should have a very stout defense.
Florida
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Florida is equipped with the best secondary in the entire country, as it features Vernon Hargreaves III, Brian Poole, Jalen Tabor, Quincy Wilson and a host of other defensive backs.
New defensive coordinator Geoff Collins came over from Mississippi State. As was the case during his time in Starkville, his defenses like to stop the run—in order to make teams throw the football on third down.
This premise plays perfectly with the personnel currently in Gainesville.
New head coach Jim McElwain also puts an emphasis on running the football. By doing this, his teams can theoretically control the clock—and keep the defense off the field.
Couple that with the fact Florida is competing against a host of teams with first-year starters at quarterback (South Carolina, Ole Miss, Georgia, Florida State, East Carolina), and the Gators should have a very formidable defensive unit.
Georgia
3 of 10
Finishing No. 17 last year in total defense, defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt hopes to improve upon that ranking in 2015.
Georgia signed very good talent within its last few recruiting classes—particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
Trenton Thompson, a 5-star defensive tackle, figures to be in line for a potential starting job as a true freshman. Fellow freshman Jonathan Ledbetter also appears to have a very bright future.
The linebacker corps is a major strength in Athens. Inside 'backers Tim Kimbrough and Reggie Carter are active players with some experience. Jordan Jenkins and Lorenzo Carter are fantastic athletes. Jenkins was a preseason All-SEC first-team selection. Leonard Floyd is also an exceptional talent from the linebacker spot.
There's no question the front seven will be a considerable strength this upcoming season for Georgia.
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LSU
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While LSU finished ninth nationally in total defense a season ago, there's reason to think it will be an even better group in 2015.
Considered "DBU" by many, the secondary should be spectacular. The tandem of Jalen Mills and Jamal Adams is exceptionally good. Adams in particular could be the best defensive player on the entire team. Elite freshman Kevin Toliver also figures to be in the mix for early playing time.
The addition of famed defensive line coach Ed Orgeron should pay dividends in terms of coaching and recruiting. His propensity for improving the techniques of his linemen will be tested—as LSU finished second-to-last in the SEC a season ago with 19 sacks.
He'll have a lot of talent to work with—including the likes of Davon Godchaux, Christian LaCouture and Greg Gilmore.
LSU was young at a number of spots last year. With the gained experience, it should be an improved unit across the board. Les Miles has recruited very well, and there's a whole lot of ability littered throughout the defensive personnel.
Michigan
5 of 10Some people will be surprised to hear Michigan finished No. 7 nationally in total defense a season ago—one spot above rival Michigan State.
With nine defensive starters returning and a defensive-minded head coach in Jim Harbaugh, the Wolverines should improve even further.
New defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin has some nice pieces to work with. Jabrill Peppers is a potentially elite talent at safety. Jourdan Lewis is a standout at corner. Senior linebacker Joe Bolden also returns. He's coming off a 2014 season in which he accrued 102 tackles.
In total, 24 of the 29 players appearing on last year's defensive depth chart are back in Ann Arbor.
Durkin coaches his teams to be opportunistic. As the defensive coordinator last year at Florida, the Gators led the SEC in fumble recoveries (13). His defense also intercepted 14 passes.
He's hoping the Wolverines can put up similar numbers this season in the Big Ten.
Michigan State
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Despite achieving a 25-3 record the past two seasons, Michigan State seems to not garner the respect it deserves from a national perspective.
Head coach Mark Dantonio's team has finished nationally with a top-10 defense in each of the past four years. In 2015, the defense should remain exceptionally talented.
The defensive line is deep and experienced. Ends Shilique Calhoun and Lawrence Thomas anchor the unit. Joe Heath and Damon Knox add toughness inside, and super sophomore Malik McDowell is one of the more talented young prospects in the conference.
The Spartans also feature a quality trio at linebacker—including Ed Davis, Darien Harris and Riley Bullough.
Losing longtime defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi is less than ideal. However, Dantonio has embedded a culture built upon discipline and grit within this program. Expect it to continue as long as he's the head man in East Lancing.
MSU's defense gets a chance to flex its muscles early in the season—as Oregon travels to Spartan Stadium on Sept. 12 for a massive nonconference showdown.
Ohio State
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The reigning national champions are deep and athletic at virtually every position within their defense.
Returning eight starters, the obvious headliner is defensive end Joey Bosa. He's an absolute disruptive force off the edge—and a surefire top pick in next year's draft. Adolphus Washington also adds to the supremely gifted defensive line in Columbus.
The group of starting linebackers is perhaps the best in the entire country. Joshua Perry and Darron Lee are fantastic athletes, and highly touted youngster Raekwon McMillan will take over in the middle.
In the secondary, Vonn Bell and Eli Apple lead a loaded group. There's a litany of young players—such as Erick Smith and Eric Glover-Williams—waiting in the wings.
This is the deepest and most talented group Urban Meyer's had since taking over the head coaching job. With continued development, this defense will be an absolute force to be reckoned with.
Ole Miss
8 of 10
Hugh Freeze's defense returns eight starters from a unit ranked No. 13 nationally in total defense a year ago.
There's star power littered throughout all three levels of the group. Robert Nkemdiche and Issac Gross lead a defensive line fully intact from last season. Junior college transfer D.J. Jones further buoys the group.
Senior C.J. Johnson will patrol the heart of the defense at middle 'backer. The secondary is arguably the most underrated level. Junior Tony Conner is the unquestioned leader of the pack. He's adept at roaming around the field and making big plays.
Starting safeties Trae Elston and Mike Hilton are also both talented options. Perhaps the most significant newcomer to the defense is Tee Shepard. A former big-time recruit from Fresno, the one-time Notre Dame signee is slated to start at corner for the Rebels.
When looking at the entire starting unit for Ole Miss, there are few as gifted from a pure talent standpoint.
Penn State
9 of 10
Penn State held opponents to 18.6 points per contest a season ago—good for seventh in the country. It also finished statistically as the second-best defense in the entire country.
A big reason for PSU's success is Anthony Zettel. The All-Big 10 selection combines with fellow stud Austin Johnson to form a very stout one-two pairing in the heart of the defensive line. Defensive end Garrett Sickels also looks primed for a breakout season.
In the secondary, Marcus Allen and Jordan Lucas led a deep and talented group.
Last year, Penn State was adept at not allowing the big play. The secondary in particular did a nice job of not allowing the opponents to get free in coverage down the field. The front seven also did a nice job versus the run—giving up only 100.5 yards per game on the ground.
With the Big 10 not an exceptionally athletic conference, James Franklin's prowess as a recruiter is starting to pay off. Outside of Ohio State, there might not be a more athletic team in the league than the Nittany Lions.
With seven defensive starters returning, Franklin's unit appears primed for yet another impressive season.
Tennessee
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There's a chance that every quarterback playing Tennessee in 2015 will be taking out an insurance policy—largely to account for the excellent Volunteers defensive line.
Butch Jones and his staff boast tremendous talent up front, led by sophomore Derek Barnett and senior Curt Maggitt. Last year, Barnett broke Jadeveon Clowney's freshman sack record. Maggitt compiled 11.0 sacks in 2014 and is the heartbeat of the team.
A unit returning nine starters will also add 5-star defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie and 4-star defensive end Kyle Phillips.
Jones has done a terrific job of recruiting and stockpiling talent during his time in Knoxville. With his young stable of athletes growing up and becoming seasoned players, this could be the turning-point year for this program.
All recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
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