PFF Heisman Picks

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The Alabama defense has some of the best players in the nation at their respective positions so singling out one top player is difficult, but Allen deserves the national attention. There’s a formula in place for defensive candidates to get noticed for the Heisman, including a great team record, a Heisman “moment” or two, and of course, touchdowns. We’re putting Allen here because of much more than his two defensive touchdowns, but they will hold some weight if the national voters are going to pay attention to him as a legitimate candidate. We’re putting Allen on the list because his 92.3 overall grade leads all interior defensive linemen and his 94.8 pass rush grade is by far the best grade at the position by a wide margin. He’s lined up all over the defensive line for Alabama and disrupted from all angles with six sacks, seven QB hits, and 27 hurries on only 242 rushes. He’s the top player on the nation’s most dominant defense and his two touchdowns are only icing on the cake that has been the best defensive performance in the country through eight weeks.

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The top-graded edge defender by a hair over Tennessee’s Derek Barnett, Garrett has battled through injury this season with little drop-off in production. His 89.5 pass rush grade ranks second among Power-5 edge rushers as he’s picked up four sacks, a nation–high 11 QB hits, and 20 hurries on only 198 rushes. His disruption as a pass-rusher has never been questioned, but Garrett has taken his work in the run game to a new level this season and he now ranks third among edge defenders at 87.7. Garrett’s chances to win the Heisman are slim as defensive players need to push 20-sack seasons or score random touchdowns like Allen, but if looking at Garrett’s body of work on a play-by-play basis, he should still be a part of the conversation.

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Right there with Garrett (since 2014), Barnett’s 90.6 overall grade is just behind Garrett’s 90.9. Barnett has actually graded better as a pass-rusher at 91.5, which is best in the nation among edge rushers. He’s gotten to the quarterback with six sacks, nine QB hits, and 21 hurries on 206 rushes while also adding an interception on a tipped pass and a pass defensed on a downfield throw. Barnett’s run defense has been strong at 80.3, and he’s even had a few “Heisman moments” (strip sack in the end zone against Georgia) along the way to keep Tennessee competitive, and he’ll need plenty more to contend for the award, but like Garrett, his every-down impact should keep him in consideration.

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Two sacks. No interceptions. It doesn’t matter. Foster has been the nation’s top linebacker by a wide margin, grading at 92.5 overall. He’s been a force in the middle of the Alabama defense, providing 89.5 play against the run while grading similarly in coverage at 87.8. The lack of flash plays keep Foster under-the-radar, but he’s been as consistent as it comes with only two missed tackles and few blown assignments this season.

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