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Creg Stephenson |
SEC has 5 of country's top 25 defenses
A couple of weeks ago, we listed our top candidates for 2017 SEC Offensive Player of the Year. So it's only fair we eventually turn our attentions to defense.
It's been a good year in the SEC defensively, with three of the top 8, four of the top 13 and five of the top 25 teams in the country in total defense residing in the conference. But what individual player has had the best year?
With still a third of the season remaining to be played, here are five candidates, in no particular order:
Devin White, linebacker, LSU: White leads the conference with 80 tackles, though high tackle totals can often mean you're the best player on a bad defense. That's not the case with White, whose Tigers are 25th nationally in total defense. He also has 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three pass break-ups, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry.
Armani Watts, safety, Texas A&M: The Aggies are not a great defensive team, especially against the pass (though they are much-improved this season). Still, Watts has been one of the better players in the league for three years. He has 50 tackles, two forced fumbles and a sack, and leads the SEC with four interceptions.
Roquan Smith, linebacker, Georgia: Smith's numbers are eye-popping, though he leads the Bulldogs with 53 tackles, to go along with six quarterback hurries, two pass break-ups, 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Fellow linebacker Lorenzo Carter is also having a great year for Georgia, which ranks third nationally in total defense.
Minkah Fitzpatrick, safety, Alabama: The Crimson Tide leads the nation in total defense and rushing defense and ranks second scoring defense and in yards allowed per play. Fitzpatrick is the unit's best player, though his modest numbers (35 tackles, 5 TFL, 4 PBU, 2 QB hurries, one interception, one forced fumble) belie his impact.
Jeff Holland, edge rusher, Auburn: Holland is one of the breakout stars in the SEC this year, and one of the most-impactful players in the league on passing downs. He leads the SEC with 8 sacks and 10 quarterback hurries, is tied for top honors with four forced fumbles and ranks second with 10 tackles for loss. He also has a fumble recovery.
Honorable mention: Otaro Alaka, LB, Texas A&M; Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn; Lorenzo Carter, LB, Georgia; Jeffery Simmons, DE, Mississippi State; Levi Wallace, CB, Alabama
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A couple of weeks ago, we listed our top candidates for 2017 SEC Offensive Player of the Year. So it's only fair we eventually turn our attentions to defense.
It's been a good year in the SEC defensively, with three of the top 8, four of the top 13 and five of the top 25 teams in the country in total defense residing in the conference. But what individual player has had the best year?
With still a third of the season remaining to be played, here are five candidates, in no particular order:
Devin White, linebacker, LSU: White leads the conference with 80 tackles, though high tackle totals can often mean you're the best player on a bad defense. That's not the case with White, whose Tigers are 25th nationally in total defense. He also has 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three pass break-ups, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry.
Armani Watts, safety, Texas A&M: The Aggies are not a great defensive team, especially against the pass (though they are much-improved this season). Still, Watts has been one of the better players in the league for three years. He has 50 tackles, two forced fumbles and a sack, and leads the SEC with four interceptions.
Roquan Smith, linebacker, Georgia: Smith's numbers are eye-popping, though he leads the Bulldogs with 53 tackles, to go along with six quarterback hurries, two pass break-ups, 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Fellow linebacker Lorenzo Carter is also having a great year for Georgia, which ranks third nationally in total defense.
Minkah Fitzpatrick, safety, Alabama: The Crimson Tide leads the nation in total defense and rushing defense and ranks second scoring defense and in yards allowed per play. Fitzpatrick is the unit's best player, though his modest numbers (35 tackles, 5 TFL, 4 PBU, 2 QB hurries, one interception, one forced fumble) belie his impact.
Jeff Holland, edge rusher, Auburn: Holland is one of the breakout stars in the SEC this year, and one of the most-impactful players in the league on passing downs. He leads the SEC with 8 sacks and 10 quarterback hurries, is tied for top honors with four forced fumbles and ranks second with 10 tackles for loss. He also has a fumble recovery.
Honorable mention: Otaro Alaka, LB, Texas A&M; Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn; Lorenzo Carter, LB, Georgia; Jeffery Simmons, DE, Mississippi State; Levi Wallace, CB, Alabama
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