College Football 2011: Virginia Tech's 7 Best Defensive Players

Every year Virginia Tech has one of the toughest defenses in college football. Head coach Frank Beamer prides himself on the way his team's plays defense and special teams.

When either of these squads perform well, it is known as "Beamer ball".

With defensive leaders like Rashad Carmichael and Davon Morgan moving on, Virginia Tech will have new defensive leaders in 2011.

Here are the seven best defensive players on Virginia Tech heading into the 2011 season..

S Antone Exum

Safety

Sophomore

Height: 6 feet

Weight: 219 lbs.

Hometown: Glen Allen, VA

2010 Stats

Tackles: 45

Forced Fumbles: 1

Passes Defended: 9

Antone Exum was a freshman last year but did not show it. He showed that he has good form when tackling and can really provide support in run defense. With 2011 going to be his second season, expect him to be an even vital piece in the Hokie defense.

2011 Projected Stats

Tackles: 56

Forced Fumbles: 2

Passes Defended: 9

Interceptions: 2

DE J.R. Collins

Defensive End

Sophomore

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 254 lbs.

Hometown: Stafford, VA

2010 Stats

Tackles: 25

Sacks: 5

Tackles for Loss: 6.5

J.R. Collins was a freshman last season who shows a lot of promise for the future. His stats were exceptional for a first year player and if he continues progressing at this rate he may be positioning himself to get drafted high when he comes out of college.

2011 Projected Stats

Tackles: 40

Sacks: 8

Tackles for Loss: 8

LB Jeron Gouveia-Winslow

Linebacker

Junior

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 207 lbs.

Hometown: Ashburn, VA

2010 Stats

Tackles: 41

Forced Fumbles: 2

Interceptions: 2

Passes Defended: 1

Tackles for Loss: 1

Jeron Gouveia- Winslow had a good season for the Hokies last year. He made plays in the run defense as well as the pass defense. One thing he didn’t do last season was play behind the line of scrimmage. I expect he is working hard this offseason to address that and his stats in 2011 will show it.

2011 Projected Stats

Tackles: 49

Forces Fumbles: 2

Interceptions: 1

Passes Defended: 2

Tackles for Loss: 6

Sacks: 2

DT Antoine Hopkins

Defensive Tackle

Junior

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 302 lbs.

Hometown: Highland Springs, VA

2010 Stats

Tackles: 44

Sacks: 2

Tackles for Loss: 6.5

Antoine Hopkins’s stats really improved from 2009 to 2010 with more playing time. He went from 16 tackles to 44 and even had a sack last season. In 2011, he should continue to progress even though his stats may not show it.

2011 Projected Stats

Tackles: 42

Sacks: 3

Tackles for Loss: 8

LB Lyndell Gibson

Linebacker

Junior

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 232 lbs.

Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA

2010 Stats

Tackles: 66

Sacks: 2

Forced Fumbles: 1

Passes Defended: 1

Tackles for Loss: 6

Lyndell Gibson is a player who plays largely off of instincts. He has a nose for the football as he often finds himself around the ball carrier. One thing he is expected to improve upon is his pass coverage. He didn’t make too many plays in the passing game but will in 2011.

2011 Projected Stats

Tackles: 70

Sacks: 4

Forced Fumbles: 2

Passes Defended: 3

Tackles for Loss: 11

S Eddie Whitley

Safety

Senior

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 195 lbs.

Hometown: Matthews, North Carolina

2010 Stats

Tackles: 80

Forced Fumbles: 2

Interceptions: 2

Tackles for Loss: 4

Passes Defended: 6

Eddie Whitley will be looked at as a leader on the defense this upcoming season. He is going to be a senior and was one of the most productive players on the squad last year. In his increased playing time, his tackles went from 18 in 2009 to 80 in 2010. His numbers in 2011 should be very similar to his 2010 season.

2011 Projected Stats

Tackles: 81

Forced Fumbles: 3

Interceptions: 3

Tackles for Loss: 4

Passes Defended: 8

CB Jayron Hosley

Cornerback

Junior

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 170 lbs.

Hometown: Delray Beach, Florida

2010 Stats

Tackles: 39

Interceptions: 9

Passes Defended: 7

All-American cornerback Jayron Hosley as a sophomore last season established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the nation. He had the sharpest progression from 2009 to 2010 than anyone on the Hokie defense. He didn’t have an interception and only had 9 total tackles in 2009.

Hosley has been put on the 2011 Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List which honors the top defensive player in the country.

Realistically, Hosley can’t be expected to put up the same numbers as he did last season because quarterbacks are not going to throw his way as often. However, he will still have an exceptional season. Virginia Tech fans just hope he sticks around all four years as he will be eligible for the draft after next season.

2011 Projected Stats

Tackles: 42

Interceptions: 4

Passes Defended: 6