SEC Football: The Five Best Defensive Players in the Conference Right Now

Most everyone who follows SEC football can name you the big offensive stars, and who is among the best of the best.

However, many times defensive players are less known outside of their own fan base.

They get left out of serious Heisman consideration, and many times have to do something beyond great to get a clip on SportsCenter.

It's probably not fair. Defenders make up half the starters, and are often times a big reason good teams are as good as they are.

The two best teams in the SEC (Alabama and LSU) are led by, you guessed it, solid defenses.

Therefore, I am giving defense a little love today, and giving them their own list.

Click through to see who are the five best defenders in the SEC right now....

5. Winston Guy Jr., Kentucky Safety

One of the best safeties in all of college football, Winston Guy Jr. is off to a huge start to the 2011 season.

Guy is second in the SEC and eighth in the nation in tackles, averaging an impressive 10.6 tackles per game. Included in those are 6.5 tackles for a loss and a sack.

The athletic safety also has grabbed two interceptions on the season and blocked down two passes.

Winston Guy seems to be truly all over the field on defense.

4. Courtney Upshaw, Alabama OLB

Arguably the hardest hitter in the SEC, Upshaw is making his presence felt this season.

Upshaw leads the conference in tackles for a loss, with a solid 7.5 in just five games.

He makes big plays every week, and already has 16 tackles, 1.5 sacks and five quarterback hurries on the year.

Not to mention, the dynamic linebacker also has an interception returned for a touchdown this season.

One of the leaders on the dominant Tide defense, Upshaw has NFL written all over him.

3. Melvin Ingram, South Carolina DE

Melvin Ingram has a foot injury that may have him miss some action and be slowed for a bit, but he still makes the list based on his efforts so far this season.

The multi-talented defensive end leads the SEC in sacks, with an impressive 5.5 quarterback take-downs in just five games.

He is tied for the lead in the conference in tackles for a loss with 7.5, and has 26 total tackles on the year.

Most impressive are his two interceptions and two fumble recoveries for touchdowns.

All of this doesn't even count his rushing touchdown on offense.

The man is definitely a big play-maker.

2. Danny Trevathan, Kentucky LB

One of the most underrated players in the SEC, probably because of the record of the team he plays for, Danny Trevathan is having another monster year for Kentucky.

Trevathan is leading the SEC in tackles, with a ridiculous 11.8 tackles per game. That is good for third most tackles in the country.

He also gets behind the line, as he has a solid six tackles for a loss and two sacks on the year.

Getting in on the turnover game, Trevathan also has forced two fumbles on the season.

The leader of the Wildcats defense, Trevathan is a sure tackler, and always seems to be at the ball.

1. Tyrann Mathieu, LSU Safety

Tyrann Mathieu is one of the very best defensive backs in the nation, and has made a big impact for top-ranked LSU this season.

Mathieu is a big-play machine, already having three fumble recoveries, including two fumble recovery touchdowns, two interceptions and four forced fumbles.

He has racked up 35 tackles, including four tackles for a loss, and earned 1.5 sacks in just five games. 

The talented safety also returns punts for LSU, and is a vocal and emotional leader for the Tigers.

Mathieu is a definite candidate for national Defensive Player of the Year.