The Top 10 College Football Big Hitters to Watch in 2010

There's really nothing quite like a big hit to get the crowd going and the adrenaline flowing for a defense.

The sound of the pop and then the rumble from the stands is synonymous with football.

At any level of the game, there are guys that simply know how to lay down the law with a monster hit that sends shock waves through their opponent and makes them hesitate the next time around.

With that in mind, here are college football’s top 10 big hitters to look out for in 2010. But there's no point in just describing a big hitter, right?

That's what the highlights are for.

10. Jerico Nelson, S, Arkansas

Nelson started only seven games last season, but his 74 tackles were third on the team. He’ll be moving from safety to outside linebacker in 2010, where he’s expected to make an even bigger impact as a full-time starter.

He’s got incredible instincts and pursuit skills, which made him a real force on special teams last season serving as the team’s gunner on kick coverage.

Nelson will drop back into coverage, come up on run support, blitz the quarterback, and roam the field like a center fielder.

This guy is simply a football player.

9. Nate Irving, LB, NC State

Irving’s off the field situation is complicated at the moment after he was charged with careless and reckless driving after a wreck that left him with a broken leg and a collapsed lung in June.

He’s expected to quickly recover from his injuries and should be ready for the start of next season, but it’s unclear at this time what repercussions, if any, will be handed down by the school or NCAA.

Irving was third on the team in tackles last season despite missing significant time with injuries.

When he’s healthy, there aren’t many players who can deliver bigger blows to ball-carriers.

8. Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M

Von Miller was voted First-Team All-American by Sporting News and Sports Illustrated. He was the first Aggie since 1999 to earn such accolades. His 17 sacks were tops in the country and his nearly 20 tackles for loss were good enough for fifth.

Miller can line up at linebacker or defensive end; it really doesn't matter with this guy.

Wherever you put him on the field, he's going to cause havoc for opposing quarterbacks.

7. Mark Herzlich, LB, Boston College

Herzlich is one of the best all-around defenders in the country and a playmaker who always finds a way to make a difference.

A sure-handed tackler, solid in pass coverage, a turnover machine, and a decent pass-rusher, you won't find many defenders who do more than him.

Herzlich is the heart and soul of BC's defense and should continue to be such as he enters his senior season with very high expectations.

6. Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame

As a freshman, Te'o appeared in all 12 games for the Irish, starting 10 of them. Once he got into his rhythm, he emerged as one of the top players on the defense and a tackling machine down the stretch.

Te'o's stats from 2009 won't wow you, but this is a guy who really came into his own around the midway point last season when things started to click.

There are big things in store for his sophomore year.

5. Vontaze Burfict, LB Arizona State

As a freshman, Burfict was second on the Sun Devils in tackles and was arguably the most productive all-around linebacker on the team. He's a solid tackler with great instincts and playmaking ability.

Furthermore, there aren't many backers with his level of coverage skills.

Burfict should be in line for a breakout season in 2010, and could be close to developing into one of the elite linebackers in the country.

4. Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa

Adrian Clayborn is arguably the top playmaker in the Big Ten.

He's a great pass-rusher, solid in run support, and the leader of Iowa's defense. Last season, he capped a campaign that ranked him as one of the league leaders in sacks, tackles, and forced fumbles with an MVP performance against Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl.

He's a dominating force and only got better as the season went along.

While Greg Jones might be the most nationally-recognized defender in the Big Ten, Clayborne is just as important to the Hawkeyes and another monster year could make him the best in the conference.

3. Marcel Dareus, DE, Alabama

Marcell Dareus is best known for the hit he laid on Colt McCoy in the 2009 BCS Championship game that ended Colt McCoy's collegiate career and helped Alabama cruise to the title.

He's the best pass-rusher on the Tide's roster, and many inside and out of the program think he's Alabama's next great defensive end.

Now that he's entering his junior year, he'll be getting a lot more playing time and has the potential to triple his 6.5 sacks from a year ago.

2. Kelvin Sheppard, LB, LSU

Kevin Sheppard had a 110 tackles last season to lead his team and if not for the high number of star linebackers in the SEC he might have gotten more recognition.

He's a tackling machine, a model of consistency, an instinctive player who pursues ball carriers like a mad man, and covers the field from sideline to sideline about as well as anyone in the country.

He is the leader of LSU's defense and alongside Patrick Peterson, a truly irreplaceable talent.

There's no way the Tigers can replace his tackling ability and ball hawking prowess.

Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Mark Barron is of the best safeties in the country and will play a huge role in Alabama's secondary in 2010.

He led the SEC in interceptions last season and was one of the leading tacklers on Alabama's roster. He can pretty much do everything you want from the safety position.

He's dangerous in run support, plays the deep ball well, doesn't take too many gambles, and is the undeniable leader of the Crimson Tide's secondary.