Star power: The best defensive position group in each Power 5 league

On3 imageby:Mike Huguenin08/15/21

MikeHuguenin

Perhaps the most basic tenet of any sport: You must have good players to win. All the X’s and O’s in the world won’t matter if you don’t have the Jimmys and the Joes.

And when you have a bunch of talented Jimmys and Joes at one position or in one unit, all the better.

In that vein, here’s a look at the best defensive position group — line, linebackers or secondary — in each Power 5 league. In addition, we’re spotlighting the best defensive unit overall in the Group of 5. Expect big things from all these groups this season. (We did the best offensive units Saturday.)

ACC

Clemson line

The projected starters: Es K.J. Henry and Myles Murphy, Ts Bryan Breese and Jordan Davis

The buzz on this unit: Truthfully, who knows at end? We’re not kidding when we say there are five ends — five good ends — battling for the two starting spots. Henry, Murphy, Justin Foster, Justin Mascoll and Xavier Thomas are the quintet. Regan Upshaw could see time, as well. Henry and Murphy are former five-star recruits and seem likely to get the starting nods. Murphy had 11.5 tackles for loss and four sacks last season. The starting tackle spots are set with Bresee and Davis, who give Clemson perhaps the best interior duo in the nation. Bresee was a five-star recruit who made an immediate impact as a true freshman last season, finishing with 6.5 tackles for loss and four sacks; Davis is a junior who has started basically from the moment he stepped on campus. Depth is good at tackle, too, with as many as five guys — Demonte Capehart, Darnell Jefferies, Ruke Orhorhoro, Payton Page and Tre Williams — set to see legit time in reserve roles.

BIG TEN

Ohio State line

The projected starters: Es Zach Harrison and Tyreke Smith, Ts Haskell Garrett and Antwuan Jackson

The buzz on this unit: Harrison is a former five-star recruit who seems primed for a breakout season. He’s had some good moments, but needs to start taking over games like predecessors Joey and Nick Bosa and Chase Young. Smith has been bothered by nagging injuries in his career but played well down the stretch last season. Backups include Javontae Jean-Baptiste and five-star freshman Jack Sawyer, who went through spring ball and showed off a vast skill set. Expect him to begin living up to the five-star hype this fall and for people to hype up him and fellow five-star prospect J.T. Tuimoloau, especially with an expected prolonged absence for senior Tyler Friday. There’s a nice four-man group at tackle with Garrett, Jackson and backups Jerron Cage and Taron Vincent. Garrett emerged last season, and the hope is Jackson can be an able complement. Garrett has some pass-rush ability on the inside. Jackson, a sixth-year senior, is replacing the productive Tommy Togiai. Keep an eye on Vincent, who has the potential to be a difference-maker up front.

Nik Bonitto should be the best pass rusher in the Big 12 this season. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

BIG 12

Oklahoma linebackers

The projected starters: Brian Asamoah, Nik Bonitto and DeShaun White

The buzz on this unit: Believe it or not, the OU defense is something the Sooners’ offense can be proud of these days. The linebacker corps is talented and extremely deep. Bonitto is a big-time pass rusher; he had eight sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss and 10 quarterback hurries in 2020. Asamoah and White also are returning starters; Asamoah, who led the team with 66 tackles, went to high school (Columbus’ St. Francis De Sales) about 5 miles from Ohio State’s campus. There’s also sixth-year senior Caleb Kelly, a former consensus five-star recruit who has started 24 career games but missed last season with a knee injury; in addition, he missed all but four games in 2019 recovering from a spring injury. Further depth comes from David Ogwoegbu and Marcus Stripling, both of whom possess some pass-rush ability. There’s also stud freshman Clayton Smith, a consensus national top-50 prospect.

PAC-12

Washington secondary

The projected starters: CBs Kyler Gordon and Trent McDuffie, Ss Dominique Hampton and Julius Irvin and NB Bookie Radley-Hiles

The buzz on this unit: Any team that has Jimmy Lake involved in the coaching is going to have a top-flight secondary, and this season’s Huskies are further proof. This is a deep — extremely deep — and talented unit. McDuffie is one of the best corners in the nation. Gordon has been a spot starter the past two seasons but should have a fulltime starting job this season. Radley-Hiles transferred in from Oklahoma, where he had been a starter. There are five guys in the running for the two safety spots, though Hampton seems a good bet to start. He moved to safety from corner during the spring, and has good ball skills and a physical presence. Irvin could get the spot opposite Hampton — but so could Asa Turner, Cam Williams or Alex Cook. Kam Fabiculanan can play nickel and corner, and former walk-on Mishael Powell figures to be a key backup at corner. Elijah Jackson and James Smith also could be in the backup mix at corner. Again, this is a deep — extremely deep — group of DBs.

SEC

Alabama linebackers

The projected starters: Christopher Allen, Will Anderson, Christian Harris, Henry To’ To’o (Anderson and Harris are pictured above)

The buzz on this unit: There’s an embarrassment of riches here, though the Tide does spend a majority of the time in nickel and dime sets. The outside duo of Allen and Anderson might be the best in the nation — and the same goes for Harris and To’ To’o inside. Anderson was one of the best freshmen in the nation last season, when he had seven sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. A five-star recruit, Anderson earned the starting job in camp and added 52 tackles and eight quarterback hurries. Allen led the SEC with 13 tackles for loss and had six sacks. Allen, who is from Baton Rouge, La., missed all of 2018 with a knee injury, then looked spotty in 2019. But there were no issues last season. Harris, who also is from Baton Rouge, is entering his third season as the starter. He was thrown to the wolves, in a way, as a freshman in 2019, then played under more control last season and finished with 79 tackles. To’o To’o is a transfer from Tennessee who had 140 tackles in his two years with the Vols and was one of the few bright spots for them last season. Depth on the inside comes from Shane Lee and Jaylen Moody. Because the Tide uses so many five- and six-DB sets, there isn’t as much need for backups on the outside. But Drew Sanders, Chris Braswell and true freshman Dallas Turner — fresh off the assembly line at powerhouse Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas — are former five-star recruits waiting in the wings. (That same St. Thomas Aquinas assembly line produced Oklahoma’s Bonitto.)

GROUP OF 5

Cincinnati secondary

The projected starters: CBs Coby Bryant and Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Ss Bryan Cook and Ja’Von Hicks and NB Arquon Bush

The buzz on this unit: Gardner is one of the best corners in the nation and has been mentioned as a potential first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Bryant is a fifth-year senior who played extensively in each of his first four years on campus; this will be his fourth season as a starter. He has seven interceptions and 31 pass breakups in his career. Cook, who began his career at FCS member Howard, will be a first-time starter for the Bearcats, but expectations are high for the Cincinnati native. Hicks is back in a starting role; he started in 2019 when James Wiggins was hurt, moved to a backup role last season and now replaces Wiggins as a starter. Bush has been plagued by injuries, but has a good skill set and a high ceiling as a nickel guy. Depth is good, especially at corner.

Related content:

Lesser-known players set for breakout seasons

The best non-conference games of the season