College Football Recruiting 2011: The Top Pac-12 Defensive Position Classes

Yesterday we took a look at the top offensive recruiting classes in the Pac-12 for 2011, and today we'll do the same with defense. The defense in the Pac-12 has drawn some fire from the national college football world, as really it speaks as to well the offensive skill talent is around the conference year i and year out.

The 2011 recruiting crop has some nice prospects slated to play on the defensive side of the ball, and we're gonna see who has the top class at each position. It seemed with the offense that USC had a strong grasp on the top classes at a few positions on the offensive side of the ball, how will the Trojans fare on defense?

Let's see...

Top DT Class: California

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 25: Head coach Jeff Tedford of the California Golden Bears watches as his team misses a 33 yard field goal during the third quarter of the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on September 25, 2010

This came down to a USC vs. Cal battle. I really like the Trojans getting Christian Heyward, as the 6'2", 270-pounder ill be a good fit as a three-technique in a few years in the Trojans 40 front scheme.

But the key player for me in USC's defensive tackle hauls is Antwaun Woods, as I went and saw the 6'1", 320-pounder play in person and came away impressed with his athleticism and girth. He will fill the nose tackle/one-technique spot nicely.

But the tie breaker was Cal getting Viliami Moala. I think highly of Moala as the 6'2", 325-pounder is more than just a space eater. He's a got a great motor along with excellent strength and snap quickness. Mutaja Jalil is also a 6'4", 300-pounder whom I extremely high on too.

Top DE Class: California

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 01: DeSean Jackson #1 of the California Golden Bears and Head Coach Jeff Tedford run onto the field before the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2007 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Jonat

Cal's back again on the defensive line. Clancy Pendergrast runs some mixture of 40 and 30 fronts for the California defense. Pendergrast gave me fits when I was with the Giants and he was with the Cardinals, as for the advance scouting report book one of my jobs was figuring out the opposing team's defensive sub packages.

Watching film on the Cardinals' defense was an all night affair, as Pendergrast did many exotic things, which meant more work for me.

Now in Berkley, Pendergrast will get to toy with Brennan Scarlett, Jason Gibson and Todd Barr: all four-star ends with great pass rush ability.

Look out Pac-12 QBs.

Top LB Class: USC

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin watches the USC Trojans warm up for their game with the Virginia Cavaliers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 11, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty

Oregon singed five linebackers with Anthony Wallace being the top player of the class. Also, fiive-star ATH recruit Colt Lyerla is expected to perhaps start out as SAM linebacker in Eugene.

Yet I gave USC the nod, as per tape study, I like their four man class a bit better. The big get, obviously is Lamar Dawson, a 6'2", 230-pounder from Kentucky, who has recruited specifically to play the SAM spot.

Tre Madden should excel in coverage and be a great three down WILL 'backer for the Trojans and Anthony Sarao has a high ceiling. Add in Dallas Kelley and you the Trojans have a great linebacker class.

Are any of them worthy of wearing No.55?

Top DB Class: Washington

Steve Dykes/Getty Images

EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 6: Head coach Steve Sarkisian of the Washington Huskiest works the sidelines in the second quarter of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

I liked Washington's class the most when sitting down coming with honors for Top DB hauls in the Pac-12. The class is led by a player that I really, really like when I saw on tape: James Sample.

At 6'2", 200 pounds, Sample has the ceiling to become an All Pac-12 strong safety. He is a linebacker's best friend in run support, can lay the wood, and fills alleys with force and aggression. He has solid ball skills and can hold his own in zone coverage.

It seems the strategy this year for U-Dub was to get bigger in the secondary. Aside from the 6'2", Sample, the Huskies also have the 6'3" Travis Feeny, 6'2" Evan Zeger and the 6'1", Marcus Peters.

Top ATH Class: Oregon

Steve Dykes/Getty Images

EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 2: Head coach Chip Kelly of the Oregon Ducks is greeted by 'Puddles', the mascot of the Oregon Ducks, before the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won the game 52-31. (Ph

This was the easiest to decide as Oregon took home this crown and ran away with it easily. The Ducks signed two five-star ATH recruits in DeAnthony Thomas and Colt Lyerla, and then got Christian French.

They convinced Thomas that he should leave the LA area for school and the 5'9", 160-pound stick of dynamite now is headed to Eugene. Lyerla is a 6'5", 220-pound football player that played running back, defensive end, receiver and linebacker for his high school team. He's expected to play linebacker for the Ducks and I think he can impact special teams immediately.

French is a 6'6", 220-pounder that can play tight end, receiver or defensive end. He's a physical marvel that will be a stud once he finds a home position.