Ranking 25 Most Dominant Defenders Heading into the 2016 College Football Season
The 2016 college football season will treat the sport's viewers to a tremendous collection of dominant defenders who are spread all over the country.
However, the following players are not always the best or most versatile, this group identifies the talents offensive players simply don't want to be lined up against.
Performance relative to competition was considered, though a majority of names are familiar.
Be warned: There's a healthy dose of Alabama standouts. But when a defense is as stacked as the Crimson Tide in 2016, they're going to leave a major impression on a list.
Honorable Mentions
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These defenders are terrific, but they didn't make the top-25 cut.
- Eddie Jackson (Alabama)
- Cordrea Tankersley (Clemson)
- Chidobe Awuzie (Colorado)
- Marcus Maye (Florida)
- Trey Hendrickson (Florida Atlantic)
- Arden Key (LSU)
- Jabrill Peppers (Michigan)
- Chris Wormley (Michigan)
- M.J. Stewart (North Carolina)
- Sam Hubbard (Ohio State)
- Marquis Haynes (Ole Miss)
- Jordan Whitehead (Pittsburgh)
- Calvin Munson (San Diego State)
- Solomon Thomas (Stanford)
- Malik Jefferson (Texas)
- Eddie Vanderdoes (UCLA)
- Adoree' Jackson (USC)
25. Harold Landry, Boston College
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Boston College had the No. 1 defense in 2015, but most college football fans wouldn't have a clue who starred. Considering the Eagles went 3-9, there's nothing wrong with that.
Along with Matt Milano, remember the name Harold Landry.
A 6'3", 245-pound rush end, he accrued 60 total tackles with 14.5 for loss and 4.5 sacks. Landry forced three fumbles and recovered one, adding a pair of quarterback hurries, per CFBstats.
Landry will be a force for Boston College during the school's two Friday night showcases against Clemson and Florida State.
24. Jamal Marcus, Akron
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Akron quietly assembled the third-best rush defense in the FBS, and defensive lineman Jamal Marcus was an important part of that success.
The Ohio State transfer amassed 30 stops with 12.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks last year. He also notched 10 hurries according to CFBstats, earning third-team All-MAC honors.
Marcus will be an integral part of the Zips potentially securing a second straight bowl bid for the first time in school history.
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23. Malik McDowell, Michigan State
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Entering the season, Malik McDowell is a necessary inclusion on the list. Exiting the year, he could be near the top.
Apparently, McDowell agrees, per Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press:
"I think I'm the best D-lineman in the country. I can't lie. If you want it, if you ask for it, you've got to be willing to take on the pressure, I guess.
"
In 2015, McDowell managed 41 tackles with 13 for loss and 4.5 sacks. According to CFBstats, he posted eight hurries along with two forced fumbles and a pick-six.
Following the departure of Shilique Calhoun, the 6'6", 280-pound McDowell will be the featured player of Michigan State's defense.
22. Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt
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Vanderbilt doesn't have much dominance on its roster, but one linebacker certainly fits that billing.
"Zach Cunningham may be the best linebacker I've ever had the opportunity to coach in this structure of defense," Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason said, per ESPN.com's David Ching.
Last season, he collected 103 stops—39 more than any other Commodores player. In fact, the 6'4", 230-pounder gathered more solo tackles (69) than No. 2 Darreon Herring had total (64).
Cunningham notched 16.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, forced four fumbles and broke up three passes.
21. Steven Taylor, Houston
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Hidden from the national view by the massive numbers of Elandon Roberts, Steven Taylor continued to excel for Houston.
A three-year starter, Taylor has accumulated 257 tackles with 38 for loss and 17 sacks, 18 hurries (CFBstats), 10 pass breakups, five forced fumbles and three interceptions.
Still, the Cougars defensive coordinator Todd Orlando believes Taylor can improve, per Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle in 2015:
"We continue to work on the details with him. He's talented, athletic, and has a nose for the football. It's the little finer points he continues to work on.
"
20. Deatrich Wise Jr., Arkansas
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Deatrich Wise Jr. is part of a special group: underrated SEC defenders.
Few players had a better finish to the 2015 season. Wise—a 6'5", 280-pounder—registered seven sacks in November when Arkansas took on Ole Miss, LSU, Mississippi State and Missouri.
Wise ended the year with 31 tackles, 10.5 for loss and eight sacks. He also forced three fumbles, broke up three passes and totaled five hurries, per CFBstats.
19. Caleb Brantley, Florida
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Like McDowell, Caleb Brantley has high expectations of himself.
"I feel like I'm the best d-lineman in the country," the defensive lineman said, according to Nick de la Torre of Gator Country. "So I'm going out and trying to prove it."
From a statistical perspective, that might seem outlandish. Brantley managed 29 tackles with 6.5 for loss and just three sacks. However, as a defensive tackle, his primary job is to demand attention and free teammates to make plays.
Considering Florida tallied the fifth-most sacks and 11th-most tackles for loss in 2015, Brantley is executing wonderfully.
18. Vince Biegel, Wisconsin
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Offensive struggles plagued Wisconsin in 2015. Partly thanks to Vince Biegel, defense wasn't a problem.
The 6'4", 246-pounder piled up 14 tackles for loss and eight sacks. Two years ago, Biegel recorded 16.5 and 7.5, respectively.
Fellow edge-rushing standout Joe Schobert used up his eligibility, but that departure hasn't deterred Biegel from thinking T.J. Watt—yes, the brother of Houston Texans star J.J.—will pick up the slack.
"I think we're going to have a lot of fun in the backfield," Biegel said, according to Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
17. Anthony Walker, Northwestern
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Anthony Walker isn't a household name, but opposing coaches always know where the linebacker will be.
The problem, though, is stopping him.
Last season, the Northwestern star finished 23rd in the FBS with 120 total stops and No. 5 with 20.5 tackles for loss. Additionally, Walker managed four sacks, four pass breakups, two hurries (CFBstats), two fumble recoveries and one interception.
Head coach Pat Fitzgerald said Walker is "truly a three-way player. He's great against the run, great against the pass and he has the ability to rush the passer," per Lee Barfknecht of the Omaha World-Herald.
16. Marlon Humphrey, Alabama
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We warned you. Marlon Humphrey kicks off the Alabama inclusions.
According to ProFootballFocus, the cornerback faced 62 targets last year. He surrendered 31 completions for 539 yards and two touchdowns, intercepting three passes and breaking up seven.
Humphrey accomplished that as a redshirt freshman. The 6'1", 198-pounder could develop into the next-best shutdown corner.
Besides, he's already pretty close.
15. Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State
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Instincts, recognition and speed are critical attributes of a successful defender. Raekwon McMillan has all three at the highest level. It shouldn't be a surprise he's a well-regarded prospect.
Bleacher Report's Matt Miller called McMillan "an absolute missile" and projected him as the No. 7 overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft.
McMillan amassed an Ohio State-high 119 tackles last season, chipping in four pass breakups and five hurries (CFBstats). He certainly has the talent to improve those great numbers in 2016.
14. Sidney Jones, Washington
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One of Washington's three NFL-bound defensive backs, Sidney Jones is an under-the-radar Pac-12 star.
Per ProFootballFocus, Jones limited quarterbacks to a 54.0 passer rating when throwing in his direction and allowed just one touchdown. The corner swiped four interceptions, returning one for a score.
In 2015, Jones notched 46 tackles, forced four fumbles, recovered two and added another defensive touchdown.
13. Charles Walker, Oklahoma
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The Sooners clearly missed Charles Walker during their College Football Playoff loss. Clemson ran for 312 yards, just one yard fewer than Oklahoma's season-worst mark allowed.
When he was healthy, the defensive tackle was a burden to contain. Walker put together an impressive year from his inside position, collecting 36 tackles with 10 for loss and six sacks.
Although Walker underwent wrist surgery in April, he should again be a dominant force up front. Should that happen, Walker will likely skip his senior season and head to the NFL.
12. Tim Williams, Alabama
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If you like sack artists, Tim Williams might be your favorite player following the 2016 season. For now, he's an explosive edge-rusher with ridiculous production in limited action.
ProFootballFocus tracked 148 pass-rushing attempts from Williams last year. He racked up 11 sacks, eight hits and 33 hurries, totaling 52 pressures—or a disruption every 2.8 snaps.
That is utterly preposterous.
Without question, Williams will only become an even greater nightmare for quarterbacks while taking on a larger role. The 6'4", 237-pounder could be atop this list by season's end.
11. Dawuane Smoot, Illinois
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Overall, the 2015 Illinois defensive line struggled mightily. Its lone bright spot was a terrific one, however.
Dawuane Smoot gathered 40 tackles with 15 for loss and eight sacks. The edge-rusher added three forced fumbles and three quarterback hurries, according to CFBstats.
The departure of Jihad Ward will bring more attention to Smoot, but the arrival of former NFL head coach Lovie Smith should help the senior achieve his goal of standing out nationally.
"I want to try to be a first-rounder and to be an All-American," Smoot said, per ESPN.com's Brian Bennett. "Double-digit sacks and then go to the league. Those are my expectations."
10. Carl Lawson, Auburn
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When he's on the field, Carl Lawson is an absolute beast. But the problematic word there is "when."
Following a terrific freshman season in 2013, he missed the 2014 campaign due to a torn left ACL. Last year, a cracked hip limited Lawson to just seven appearances.
But through 21 career games, the defensive end has notched 37 tackles with 10.5 for loss and five sacks. Lawson has 18 hurries (CFBstats) and a couple of forced fumbles, too.
Lawson, no matter his health, will be a coveted player in the NFL draft. Miller considers Lawson the fifth-best prospect.
9. Charles Harris, Missouri
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Charles Harris is the latest product to emerge from Missouri's factory of NFL-caliber defensive linemen.
As a sophomore, Harris amassed 56 total tackles. With 18.5 for loss, the 6'3", 255-pound edge rusher finished second in the SEC only to Myles Garrett. Harris had seven sacks and 10 hurries (CFBstats).
"Harris has an urgency about his play that simply won't allow for him to stay blocked for very long," NFL.com's Lance Zierlein said.
8. Derek Barnett, Tennessee
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Derek Barnett often doesn't get the credit he deserves.
Only three players reached at least 10 sacks in both 2014 and 2015: Garrett, top 2016 second-round draft pick Emmanuel Ogbah and the Tennessee edge-rusher.
After two seasons in Knoxville, Barnett has accumulated 141 tackles with 33 for loss and 20 sacks, tallying 15 hurries (CFBstats).
Barnett needs a faster start to 2016 than he managed last season, but the junior will be a touted player in next year's draft.
7. Reuben Foster, Alabama
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The simply way to describe Reuben Foster? He's just everywhere.
Foster entered the starting lineup in 2015 and registered 73 tackles with eight for loss. The middle linebacker showed off his coverage skills and broke up nine passes, too.
Former Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart talked about Foster's transformation, per ESPN's Greg Ostendorf:
"He came in as a raw, talented guy—a little undisciplined—who kind of ran around and made plays. And now he's playing with better discipline, better eye control.
"
Foster will assume Reggie Ragland's role as the leader of the Crimson Tide defense in 2016. There's little doubt he'll excel.
6. Jalen Tabor, Florida
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Vernon Hargreaves III heard his name called during the first round of the 2016 NFL draft, and Jalen Tabor was just as effective.
According to ProFootballFocus, the 6'0", 191-pounder has allowed 48 receptions for 445 yards on 103 targets through two seasons at Florida. Tabor has picked off five passes while ceding just one score.
"His length is huge and he's very quick," wide receivers coach Kerry Dixon said, per Edgar Thompson of the Orlando Sentinel. "If he gets his hands on you, it's hard to get open. That guy is the real deal."
Tabor will be a top-tier cornerback prospect if he declares for draft.
5. Jonathan Allen, Alabama
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In 2015, Jonathan Allen shared the interior with A'Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed, a couple of second-round draft picks. This season, Allen will be the headliner in the middle.
Despite the rotational role, he collected 36 tackles with 14.5 for loss and a team-high 12 sacks. Allen added six hurries (CFBstats), four pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
Miller's fourth-best prospect, Allen will establish himself as a fixture on the Alabama front while securing a top draft spot.
4. Derwin James, Florida State
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To say Derwin James assembled a solid freshman season would be an understatement. He was spectacular.
A 6'3", 213-pound safety, the rising star contributed all over the field. James finished second on the team with 91 total stops, recording 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four pass breakups, two hurries (CFBstats), two forced fumbles and one recovery.
Perhaps most importantly, the big-hitting James has already inspired an invaluable sense of trust in his teammates.
"If I get beat and my man catches it, Derwin can knock his head off," cornerback Marquez White said, according to Brendan Sonnone of the Orlando Sentinel.
3. Desmond King, Iowa
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If you're looking for a ball hawk, Desmond King is the guy.
After snatching three passes in 2014, the Iowa cornerback racked up eight interceptions with one pick-six last year. Additionally, King had 13 pass breakups en route to winning the Thorpe Award.
King is also willing to stop the run, which is a valuable trait for a cornerback—especially of his caliber. He tallied 72 stops.
Instead of skipping his final season of eligibility, King returned to school. His mother cited "unfinished business," according to Danny Payne of the Daily Iowan.
2. Jourdan Lewis, Michigan
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Jabrill Peppers and Chris Wormley are more likely to be first-round picks, but Jourdan Lewis is a dominant college corner.
According to ProFootballFocus, he faced the eighth-most targets (90) in the FBS yet allowed a meager 33 receptions and 416 yards. En route to earning second-team AP All-America honors, Lewis surrendered just one touchdown all season.
Listed at 5'10" and 175 pounds, Lewis doesn't have prototypical size. However, he's a physical player—also evidenced by three 15-yard penalties, per B/R research—who is extremely tough to beat.
1. Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
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It's easy to run out of superlatives when discussing Myles Garrett.
The 6'5", 262-pound edge-rusher has 33.5 tackles for loss and 24 sacks through two seasons at Texas A&M. He's totaled 112 tackles, 20 hurries (CFBstats) and five forced fumbles.
"Garrett is a prototype player," NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah said. "He has everything you'd want in a defensive end."
One lucky NFL team will select Garrett near the top of the 2017 draft.
All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
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