Ask any defensive coordinator and he will tell you; if he could pick one strong point on their defense that could take over any other group and he will respond with confidence “defensive line.” Good defensive tackles are able to eat up blockers and make their linebackers job a breeze. Defensive ends that are able to collapse the pocket can make any cornerback or safety look like an All-American. Just like the offense, the defense is no different, every good game plan and team starts up front. So, follow along as we rank the best defensive lines based on their talent, depth, and their projected play in 2013.
10. Ole Miss Rebels
The Rebels land on this list not just for their production in 2012 as they averaged just 3.5 yards per carry and put up 38 sacks but more so based on their potential and what they could do in 2013. Led by C.J. Johnson who had 6.5 sacks last season and returning eight of their top 12 defensive linemen including their top two tacklers. But, there is much more on the horizon due to an outstanding recruiting class. Like any good fireworks show they ease you in with Lavon Hooks who is the fourth ranked defensive end in the consensus top 100 recruits. They end with a bang for the grand finale. For the Rebels that would be Robert Nkemdiche. Who’s that you ask? He’s the consensus number one recruit in the 2013 class (Mind Blown). This group may have the rawest talent on their squad than anyone on this list; however, time will tell if these young stars can live up to their billing as some of the best in the nation. If they can, look for the rebels to keep climbing the SEC ladder and make their way in to the top half of their conference very soon.
9. Stanford Cardinal
The Cardinals are building off a 2012 campaign where they ranked first in the country with 57 sacks. Defensive end Ben Gardner said no thanks to the NFL for one more year and is now the Cardinals strongest most dominating player on the field. Gardner had 7.5 sacks last year which he is looking to improve while playing next to mammoth nose tackle David Parry. Parry knows his role in Stanford’s defense and he plays it well. He is a true block eater and helps plug up gaps making his linebacker’s job much easier. Last but not least is Henry Anderson who tacked on 5.5 sacks and 51 tackles for the Cardinals. These guys make one of the best 1-2-3 punch in the nation and is a huge reason why the Cardinal’s allowed just 97 rushing yards per game (3.0 per rush) last year. While the offense goes through a slight rebuilding phase with new quarterback Kevin Hogan, the majority of responsibility now falls on the defense and it will be the defensive line that is ready to accept the challenge.
8. Virginia Tech Hokies
This unit has been on a rollercoaster ride. After a season were they allowed just 104 rushing yards per game and combined for 41 sacks in 2011, the Hokies, started out rather sluggish in 2012. After six games they had given up an average of 197 rushing yards per game (4.6 per carry average). However, in their next seven games they got back to their dominating ways allowing just 80 yards per game despite playing 5 bowl eligible teams. This year, seven of the eight top defensive linemen are back as they combine for 500 career tackles, 56 sacks, and 41.5 tackles for loss. Led by defensive end James Gayle, who registered 5 sacks last season, Virginia Tech ranked 19th in quarterback sacks and will look to improve that number and show why their defensive line is the staple of their defense.
7. South Florida Bulls
Even after allowing 150 rushing yards per game last season, the Bulls land on this list. With seven of their top eight linemen returning to the team this unit is surely to improve that number drastically. Led by Stud defensive end Ryne Giddins (who has 12.5 sacks the past three seasons) and former Notre Dame transfer Aaron Lynch who is being labeled as the number one defensive end prospect for the 2016 NFL draft. Lynch had 5.5 sacks as a freshmen last year and helps put the spotlight back on this unit as their accustomed to. The Bulls have a track record for producing some of the best defensive lines in the country dating back to the days of Jason Pierre-Paul and 2013 should be no different.
6. Florida Gators
Although the Gators lost three starters (including defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd) to the NFL, the depth of highly touted recruits and the talent of Dominique Easley and Ronald Powell should have the Gators another dominating defensive line in 2013. Florida (ranked fifth in the country in total defense last season) is led by their linemen who helped them yield just 95 rushing yards per game and register 30 sacks. Powell is returning from an ACL injury which cut his 2012 season short and will look to bounce back and fill his billing of top recruit out of high school. Easley had four sacks and 26 tackles in what was a rotating defensive line and will be the leader of a unit that is ready to get back to a BCS bowl game.
5. Arizona State Sun Devils
52 sacks last year for the Sun Devils ranked them third in the nation. Although they gave up 183 rushing yards per game, they have all four returning starters coming back and will undoubtedly improve in that area. Listen for Will Suttons name early and often this upcoming season. The defensive tackle was unblockable at times and had 13 sacks last season which for his position is tremendous. He is projected to go in the first 20 picks of the 2013 NFL draft based of his explosiveness and potential alone. Defensive end Carl Bradford added 11.5 sacks of his own and after another year under his belt should only get better. Combine those two with outstanding depth as Arizona State brought in three highly touted recruits. And, don’t be surprised if this unit jumps from third to first in the nation in sacks this year as they continue to dominate up front.
4. Texas Longhorns
The Longhorns are my sleeper team this year and the talent and depth on their defensive line is a big reason why. Jackson Jeffcoat leads the way for this unit as he bounces back from an injury that limited him to just six games last season. Jeffcoat, the son of former Cowboy Jim Jeffcoat (who played 15 years in the NFL at defensive end and won two superbowls), has the quickness, strength, and good genes it takes to be a star. He is currently ranked as the number one senior defensive end in the nation and barring anymore setbacks will hear his name called very early in next year’s draft. They did lose Alex Okafor however, due to another great recruiting job by Mack Brown. Texas has a lot of young talent like freshmens Malcom Brown (the fourth ranked defensive tackle out of high school) Shiro Davis, and Alex Norman who are all ready to step in and contribute early in the season. If that wasn’t enough, they stole Zeke Riser from Houston this off-season who has a lot of buzz around him after a good showing in spring practices. The Longhorns gave up 192 rushing yards per game which is very out of character for them, but most feel it had to do with injuries and an inexperienced linebacking corps. This defense will be one of the most improved in the nation and it’s their defensive line that will be the crucial reason why.
3. Southern Californian Trojans
The Trojans defense last year was abysmal ranking 60th in the nation. One of the reasons was due to the inexperience of their defensive line. After the injury bug hit them hard they were forced to plug in three freshmen who saw a lot of action. That will pay big dividends for them this year as they now have a year of experience under their belt. This year, seven of the eight are back and they add in two top 20 recruits for their position. Leonard Williams stole the show last season totaling 8 sacks and 64 tackles despite being a freshman. He will line up next to 6’3” 295 pound defensive tackles Kenny Bigelow, another (redshirt) freshman. Although it’s worth noting that their new defensive coordinator may move Morgan Breslin to linebacker, he did have 13 sacks last season as a defensive end. George Uko rounds out the starting four as the defensive tackle contributed five sacks. The players mentioned above form not only one of the most talented but also the youngest defensive lines in the country. This will help USC reclaim its formula for one of the better defenses in the Pac-12.
2. South Carolina Gamecocks
Do yourself a favor and tune into a South Carolina game this season because you will be watching something special. His name is Jadeveon Clowney and he’s the best defensive end prospect since Julius Peppers. He has a rare combination of strength, speed, acceleration, aggressiveness, and football IQ which has helped him produce an insane 21 sacks and 35.5 tackles for loss in his first two seasons! He is a human highlight reel and all this is why he is likely to be the number one overall pick in next year’s draft. Clowney himself makes the Gamecocks one of the best defensive lines in the country, but he does have talent surrounding him. Defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles had 38 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, and is a future NFL prospect. Chaz Sutton who plays defensive end had five sacks last season as a backup and will take advantage of more playing time and one on one blocks due to the attention Clowney receives. So take three hours out of one of your busy Saturdays this fall to watch not just one of the best defensive lines in the country but one of the best players in the game.
1. Notre Dame Irish
With two projected top 15 picks in their starting rotation and returning six of their top seven linemen, the Fighting Irish possess the nation’s best defensive line in 2013. Defensive end Stephen Tuitt had 12 sacks last season and earned first team All-American honors. Playing on the inside next to Tuitt is Louis Nix III. Nix is 6’3” a massive 357 pounds and depending on who you ask is the best defensive tackle in the game. He has the strength and rare quickness that gives linemen fits and helps eat blockers so the rest of the front seven can make plays. These two are the best one-two punch in the nation and the talent around them forms a dominating unit. With a top-notch defense last season and playing in a National Championship game, the expectations are extremely high for this defensive line. However, with their abundance of talent there is no reason they can’t maintain their label as best defensive line in college football throughout the year.