Tyrann Mathieu, Courtney Upshaw, Melvin Ingram and the SEC's Elite Defenders

The SEC is full of talented programs. The SEC has been ever evolving across the landscape of college football offensively in recent years, but one thing that has yet to change is the tenacious defense that plays in the conference year after year.

With the losses of names like Nick Fairley and Patrick Peterson, the thought would be that 2011 would be less star studded for the SEC defenses as they rebuilt around new players. The conference has been able to reload however and some of the nation’s top defensive talent still resides in the SEC.

Here is a look at the top seven players in the conference on defense. These are players that bring their top game to every snap they are on the field. 

Tyrann Mathieu: LSU

Mathieu is a sophomore defensive back for the LSU Tigers who has quickly become one of the most talked about defenders in the country. He has played with elite speed and vision and has played well above his size and experience should suggest.

Mathieu is a 5’9" defender that plays like he is 6’1." He is fearless across the middle and brings the heat on the occasional blitz as well. He has a knack for the football and causes his fair share of turnovers. He averages seven tackles a game and has added 14 points on fumble returns this year.

Mathieu also adds a dimension as a punt returner for the Tigers. He has become a great defender and all around contributor for the Tigers this season. He has positioned himself among the conference’s elite defenders with his play so far this season.

Courtney Upshaw: Alabama

Upshaw has been a major piece of Alabama's success in the past two seasons. He plays with a focus that is unmatched and finds ways to make plays. Against Florida he took an interception to the house and was constantly wreaking havoc for the Tide defense.

Upshaw has been effective from the linebacker spot and is a vocal leader for the Tide defense. No. 41 finds ways to get to the football. The success of the Alabama defense relies heavily on great linebacker play with the focus being on playmakers. Upshaw fits the mold well and will help lead the Tide to continued success this season.

Melvin Ingram: South Carolina

Melvin Ingram has been an all-everything type player for the South Carolina Gamecocks this season. Not only does Ingram average 5.2 tackles a game but he also adds at least one sack a game. As a defensive lineman, Ingram is a force and needs to be accounted for on every play.

Ingram also chips in on offense at times. He has carried the ball a few times earning 68 yards and one touchdown. Ingram also has two interceptions on the books. There isn’t another player in the country that has done more for his team at this point in the season than Ingram.

Ingram has been a great mentor and leader for the Gamecocks' defense. Look for him to finish the season on a ton of awards lists.

Mark Barron: Alabama

Barron is a senior starting safety for Alabama and is a big-time leader for the defensive secondary. He has the skill set to play on Sundays next year and would likely be this year if not for a torn pectoral in the last game of the season in 2010.

Barron has totaled 24 tackles so far from his safety position, but more impressive is the way that he separates a receiver from the football. That isn’t a measurable stat, but his strikes are among the hardest in the country. 

Morris Claiborne: LSU

Claiborne is another extremely dangerous defensive back for the LSU Tigers. Claiborne was overshadowed last season by Patrick Peterson but actually finished as the better corner statistically. This season Claiborne has picked up right where he left off playing sticky pass coverage.

Claiborne is fast enough and smart enough to constantly stay on the receiver during his breaks. There isn’t going to be a lot of plays that make it past Claiborne. Claiborne’s combined efforts with Mathieu are a big reason why the LSU Tigers are undefeated.

Look for Claiborne to finish the season as one of the best cover corners not only in the SEC but the country. 

Jelani Jenkins: Florida

Jenkins came to Florida with a ton of expectations at his feet. He has done a great job at playing at that high level and will be a player to watch for the next two years. Jenkins is an outside linebacker for the Gators and has really adapted well to the Muschamp way of playing defense.

Jenkins has the talent to be an elite SEC player well into the future and plays intently on every snap. Look for him to corner stone this Florida defense well into the future.

Chris Marve: Vanderbilt

Marve may be one of the best linebackers in the conference and he plays for one of the most nontraditional of football powers. Marve has been a major part of the Vanderbilt defense in the past four years and has kept up with that pace this season.

Marve is averaging eight tackles a game so far this season and has totaled 32 stops so far. Marve is a big-time leader for the Commodores and has been a big reason why the Vanderbilt defense has helped the Commodores to a successful start.

Look for Marve to be one of the first defenders off of the board in this year’s coming draft.