Linebackers, defensive backs in SEC spotlight

  • Andrew Miller
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  • Posted: Sunday, July 17, 2011 12:01 a.m.
    UPDATED: Friday, March 23, 2012 10:46 p.m.
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USC's Devin Taylor
/File/MCTUSC's Devin Taylor

The Southeastern Conference has featured many of the best defensive linemen in college football over the last few years. Alabama's Marcell Dareus and Auburn's Nick Fairley were top 15 picks in April's NFL draft.

And while the SEC still has an abundance of quality defensive linemen, 2011 might be the year of the linebacker and defensive back, positions that dominate The Post and Courier's preseason list of the top 20 SEC defensive players:

1. Devin Taylor DE, Jr., South Carolina

Devin Taylor, a 6-7, 250-pound former Beaufort High School star, had a breakout season in 2010 with 13 tackles for loss and 7 1/2 sacks. People keep talking about freshman sensation Jadeveon Clowney, but don't forget about Taylor.

2. Danny Trevathan LB, Sr., Kentucky

Danny Trevathan might be the best player you've never heard of, but when you play at a basket- ball school that's your fate. Trevathan led the SEC in tackles in 2010 with 144, more than 11 per game. He doesn't have classic linebacker size (6-1, 230 pounds), but makes up for it in speed and instincts.

3. Stephon Gilmore CB, Jr., South Carolina

The Gamecocks' secondary was dismal in 2010 and Stephon Gilmore had his lapses, especially in the SEC title game against Auburn. But Gilmore might be the most talented defensive player in the SEC. He still had 79 tackles and 3 INTs last season. Look for Gilmore to bounce back from the dreaded sophomore slump.

4. Janzen Jackson CB, Jr., Tennessee

Jackson has had plenty of off-the-field issues and even left school for "personal reasons" in February. Jackson returned to Knoxville for the second session of summer school and should be ready to go in the fall. No one questions Jackson's physical tools. He led the Vols with 5 INTs and recorded 69 tackles in 2010.

5. Mark Barron S, Sr., Alabama

Another guy who has had some off-field issues recently. Barron has made 26 straight starts for the Crimson Tide. He has 169 career tackles and added 3 INTs. He'll be one of the leading candidates for the Jim Thorpe Award in 2011.

6. Dont'a Hightower LB, Jr., Alabama

Dont'a Hightower missed most of the 2009 season with a knee injury. He returned to form in 2010 with 69 tackles and earned second-team All-SEC honors. Look for Hightower to be back to 100 percent in 2011 and anchor a talented and deep linebacking corps at Alabama.

7. Courtney Upshaw LB, Sr., Alabama

Courtney Upshaw has developed into the Crimson Tides' most dangerous pass rusher. Shaw led Alabama with 14 1/2 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 2010 despite missing two full games with an ankle injury. Upshaw, Hightower and C.J. Mosley (see below) make up a trio of elite linebackers.

8. Jake Bequette DE, Sr., Arkansas

A relentless worker with a high motor, Jake Bequette never takes a play off. Not the most gifted athlete, Bequette still had seven sacks and 8 1/2 tackles for loss in 2010 to go along with 80 career tackles.

9. Chris Marve LB, Sr., Vanderbilt

Chris Marve is another guy who doesn't get the attention he deserves. A late injury kept Marve from recording his third 100-tackle season. He has 306 career tackles with the Commodores.

10. Corey Broomfield CB, Jr., Mississippi State

One of the most consistent cornerbacks on an improving defense, Corey Broomfield has 9 INTs over the last two seasons. Teams stayed away from his side of the field in 2010 after he recorded 6 INTs in 2009 as a freshman.

11. Robert Lester S, Jr., Alabama

Robert Lester and Mark Barron might be the top safety duo in the country. After limited playing time in 2009, Lester started all 13 games in 2010 and responded with an-SEC best 8 INTs. He thrived alongside Barron and recorded 52 tackles.

12. Dre Kirkpatrick CB, Jr., Alabama

A big physical cornerback with NFL size (6-3, 190 pounds) Dre Kirkpatrick is the third Crimson Tide secondary player to make our top-20 list. Kirkpatrick had 53 tackles and 3 INTs in 2010.

13. Tyrann Mathieu CB, Soph., LSU

Tryann Mathieu was one of the top freshman defensive players in the country a year ago. He had 50 tackles to go along with 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception.

14. Brandon Boykin CB, Jr., Georgia

Brandon Boykins is one of the top kick returners in the nation and is solid at cornerback as well. Though he was inconsistent during crucial moments, Boykin has all the tools to dominate in the SEC. He had 44 tackles and 3 INTs in 2010.

15. Malik Jackson DL, Sr., Tennessee

A transfer from Southern Cal, Malik Jackson made an immediate impact for the Vols in 2010. Jackson had 48 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 5 sacks.

16. Sam Montgomery DE, Soph, LSU

The former Greenwood High star was off to a great start in 2010, recording 18 tackles, six tackles for loss and two sacks in the Tigers first five games. Unfortunately, Montgomery suffered a season-ending knee injury against Tennessee.

17. Jerry Franklin LB, Sr., Arkansas

With the Razorbacks high-powered offense, it's easy to forget they do play a little defense in Arkansas. Jerry Franklin had 95 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss in 2010.

18. Melvin Ingram DT, Sr., South Carolina

A versatile defensive lineman who can play defensive end and then move to defensive tackle in passing situations. He led the Gamecocks with 9 sacks in 2010.

19. C.J. Mosely LB, Soph., Alabama

Did we mention that Alabama is loaded at linebacker? Mosely would be the marquee linebacker on most teams, but not at Alabama. Mosely is starting to make a name for himself after 67 tackles in 2010.

20. Jadeveon Clowney DE, Fr., South Carolina

If Jadeveon Clowney is half as good as the hype, he'll be a force on the defensive line. He was the nation's No. 1 high school recruit in 2010.