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247 Ranks Top DL's in SEC for 2014
Posted on 7/25/14 at 9:31 am
Posted on 7/25/14 at 9:31 am
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1. Alabama – A’Shawn Robinson leads the way for this young but talented group. Nick Saban and Kirby Smart have had stellar defenses in Tuscaloosa, and they keep recruiting five-star talent like Da’Shawn Hand to maintain that excellence. D.J. Pettway is back for the Crimson Tide, and he should help the pass rush immediately. Other returners like Jonathan Allen and Brandon Ivory should combine with talented teammates like Darren Lake, Dalvin Tomlinson and JUCO transfer Jarran Reed to give Bama the best line in the league.
2. Auburn – Ellis Johnson is an outstanding defensive coordinator, and he has a nice mix of veterans and young stars up front. The loss of Carl Lawson, for what seems to be a significant portion of the season because of ACL surgery, hurts the Tigers. Seniors Gabe Wright, Ben Bradley, Angelo Blackson and Jeff Wright are team leaders, and they have proven to be quality SEC players as well. Combine them with talented newcomers Montravius Adams, Elijah Daniel and DaVonte Lambert and the Tigers won’t miss Lawson as much as many teams would.
3. Florida – Dante Fowler and Jonathan Bullard lead a unit that was hurt badly by injuries last season. Veteran Leon Orr should anchor the middle, and Darious Cummings is a solid pass rusher from the inside. If this group can stay healthy this season and get a boost from players like Brian Cox, Caleb Brantley and Jay-nard Bostwick then the Gators defense should be more like the outstanding 2012 unit and show that 2013 was an anomaly.
4. Ole Miss – Robert Nkemdiche has lived up to his high ranking and has been a productive SEC players since arriving on campus. Injuries hampered the Rebels up front last season, but the silver lining there is that a lot of linemen got valuable experience last season. C.J. Johnson appears to be healthy after an ankle injury, and Isaac Gross returns in the middle after leading the team in sacks last season. Fadol Brown will likely start opposite Nkemdiche and Marquis Haynes, Woodrow Hamilton, Lavon Hooks and Co. should provide quality depth.
5. LSU – Danielle Hunter is an emerging star and Jermauria Rasco is a rarity – a senior with NFL ability on the Tigers’ roster. With so many early departures for the Tigers over the last few seasons the usually stout defense has lost a bit of its saltiness. However, Hunter and Rasco have some experienced players to help them this season. Les Miles has consistently mentioned Christian LaCouture this offseason, and he will have Quentin Thomas starting alongside him. John Chavis keeps turning out draft picks up front. Tashawn Bower, Maquedius Bain or Travonte Valentine could be the next big thing in Baton Rouge.
ALSO CONSIDERED (in alphabetical order):
Georgia: New defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt has a chance to improve the Bulldogs’ defense this season, but Jonathan Taylor being dismissed from the team this week won’t make his job any easier.
Mississippi State: Chris Jones is an emerging star, and the Bulldogs have senior leaders up front to go along with him.
Missouri: Michael Sam and Kony Ealy are gone to the NFL, but Markus Golden and Shane Ray played very well in limited action last season. They should help avoid a big dropoff up front.
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Posted on 7/25/14 at 9:33 am to Whereisomaha
UGA only lost 1 starter from last year's DL- Garrison Smith.
Taylor wasn't a starter.
With Tracy Rocker coaching up Ray Drew, Chris Mayes, Sterling Bailey with their hands on the dirt, with either Jordan Jenkins or Leonard Floyd blitzing, that's a front 4 to be afraid of.
Many people don't realize this, not even dawg fans, but UGA's DL finishing 2013 ranked in the top third of the SEC in almost every defensive category that applies to the front 4 and front 7.
also...
Arky ranked too high.
Taylor wasn't a starter.
With Tracy Rocker coaching up Ray Drew, Chris Mayes, Sterling Bailey with their hands on the dirt, with either Jordan Jenkins or Leonard Floyd blitzing, that's a front 4 to be afraid of.
Many people don't realize this, not even dawg fans, but UGA's DL finishing 2013 ranked in the top third of the SEC in almost every defensive category that applies to the front 4 and front 7.
also...
Arky ranked too high.
This post was edited on 7/25/14 at 9:41 am
Posted on 7/25/14 at 9:38 am to Whereisomaha
Looks good to me 
Posted on 7/25/14 at 9:38 am to Whereisomaha
4 of the top 5 are in the West. 
Posted on 7/25/14 at 9:39 am to Whereisomaha
Lol this should be a fun bump
Posted on 7/25/14 at 9:39 am to Whereisomaha
Florida has a chance to be dominant if some of those younger guys can contribute at a high level on the 2nd string.
The talent is certainly there. But I love a starting line with 2 SR tackles and 2 ends that have the talent to go the NFL early if they have a good year.
The talent is certainly there. But I love a starting line with 2 SR tackles and 2 ends that have the talent to go the NFL early if they have a good year.
Posted on 7/25/14 at 9:40 am to deeprig9
Yeah Taylor was third team. But the writers got to pull something out their arse to justify their article.
Posted on 7/25/14 at 9:43 am to Whereisomaha
quote:
D.J. Pettway
quote:
Jarran Reed
thugs
Posted on 7/25/14 at 9:43 am to DawgRff
#3 and #5 have alot of "if's" and "should's".
Posted on 7/25/14 at 9:45 am to Whereisomaha
quote:
Robert Nkemdiche has lived up to his high ranking and has been a productive SEC players since arriving on campus. I
Judging by certain posters in other fanbases, I thought that he was a complete bust
Posted on 7/25/14 at 9:48 am to Henry Jones Jr
quote:
Judging by certain posters in other fanbases, I thought that he was a complete bust
Well, now 247 says he isn't, so he's badass.
Posted on 7/25/14 at 9:48 am to Whereisomaha
Idk who Jeff wright is and I'm pretty sure Ben Bradley is a junior.
Posted on 7/25/14 at 9:51 am to TiggerWoods
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Jeff wright
I guess he means Whittaker.
quote:
Ben Bradley is a junior
Think hes a senior, he was a juco transfer from 2013.
Posted on 7/25/14 at 9:55 am to AUtigerNOLA
Mizzou will have a great DL this season. 247 knows frickall about my team. Golden and Ray were more productive last season than any other pair of SEC starting DEs, and they'll be the conference's best.
This post was edited on 7/25/14 at 9:58 am
Posted on 7/25/14 at 9:56 am to LSU Patrick
My opinion > 247's opinion
Posted on 7/25/14 at 10:00 am to Sarcastro
quote:
Golden and Ray were more productive last season than any other pair of SEC starting DEs
Sam and Ealy?
Posted on 7/25/14 at 10:02 am to deeprig9
quote:
#3 and #5 have alot of "if's" and "should's".
Agreed. I'm optimistic about LSU's DTs but they haven't done it yet.
Posted on 7/25/14 at 10:03 am to deeprig9
quote:
#3 and #5 have alot of "if's" and "should's".
lol
Posted on 7/25/14 at 10:05 am to parkjas2001
Every defensive line needs a few thugs.
Posted on 7/25/14 at 10:06 am to fbb
I'm not sold on Hunter either. Rasco is solid, but Hunter hasn't done a whole lot other than flexing for the camera.
After rewatching both the Alabama and Georgia games, hunter played substantial minutes and didn't do a whole lot. I think the raw talent is there, but technique wise he's got a long way to go.
After rewatching both the Alabama and Georgia games, hunter played substantial minutes and didn't do a whole lot. I think the raw talent is there, but technique wise he's got a long way to go.
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