Top returning trios for Sacks and TFLs

tRant will avoid this thread like the plague

^^^this

Oh and we are adding the best defensive line class in the country to the mix.

Tennessee d line will be improved along with A&M

Hey, no circlejerk is complete w/o Aggys

This kind of veers off the exact topic of this thread, but it's the Texags ranking of the SEC's defensive trios:

1. Alabama: DL A’Shawn Robinson, LB Reggie Ragland, DB Cyrus Jones

Alabama is loaded up front. Robinson is the most celebrated lineman, but not necessarily the best; Ragland is the next great Tide linebacker. The secondary is shaky, but Jones is a reliable cover corner.

2. Florida: DL Jonathan Bullard, LB Antonio Morrison, DB Vernon Hargreaves

Hargreaves, a two-time All-SEC selection, is arguably the nation’s best at his position. Morrison is a tackle machine, but must come back strong from a knee injury. The versatile Bullard provides a strong pass rush.

3. Tennessee: DL Derek Barnett, LB Curt Maggitt, DB Cameron Sutton

Tennessee quietly has assembled solid linebacker play, a star sophomore defensive end and a strong secondary heading into 2015.

Maggitt has had to overcome injuries. He’s been very good when he can get on the field; now, he’s healthy. Barnett made a big splash as a true freshman and should be better this season. Sutton, a cornerback, is the best player in a very good secondary.

4. Ole Miss: DL Robert Ndkemdiche, LB Denzel Ndkemdiche, DB Tony Conner

Robert Ndkemdiche doesn’t post gaudy stats. He just wreaks havoc up front that allows teammates to make plays. Conner heads up a solid secondary and is a dependable tackler. The linebacker position could be a point of concern. Denzel Ndkemdiche is back from injury, so that could help.

5. Auburn: DL Carl Lawson, LB Cassanova McKinzy, DB Jonathan Jones

Lawson’s return from injury is a much-needed boost to the line and will help the pass rush. McKinzy is an intimidating presence who looks to build on last season’s performance in which he posted 91 tackles (11 for loss). Jones managed six interceptions in 2014. He was the bright spot in an otherwise dismal secondary.

6. LSU: DL Christian LaCouture, LB Kendall Beckwith, DB Jalen Mills

Beckwith is an active, smart middle linebacker. Mills is a playmaker at corner and just one of several dangerous DBs in the Tigers secondary. LaCouture posted 40 tackles last season. That’s very good for a defensive tackle.

7. Mississippi State: DL Chris Jones, LB Beniquez Brown, DB Will Redmond

Jones didn’t have a big sophomore year, but managed three sacks and 26 tackles from the defensive tackle spot. Brown was the Bulldogs’ second-leading tackler in ’14. Redmond, a cornerback, is a good tackler and had three interceptions last season.

8. Texas A&M: DL Myles Garrett, LB Otaro Alaka, DB Armani Watts

Look for Garrett to be established as the fiercest pass rusher in the nation. Alaka made giant strides a year ago and figures to bring stability at linebacker, where A&M has struggled mightily the last two seasons. Watts showed promise while grabbing three interceptions last season. By the way ... they’re all sophomores.

9. Georgia: DL Sterling Bailey, LB Leonard Floyd, DB Quincy Mauger

Bailey is merely serviceable at end, but Floyd is a pass rushing threat and may not even be Georgia’s best linebacker. That can be up for debate between him and Jordan Jenkins. Mauger is a playmaker who had four interceptions in 2014.

10. Missouri: DL Josh Augusta, LB Kentrell Brothers, DB Aarion Penton

Gary Pinkel may have to lean on the secondary to pick up a Missouri defense that is otherwise counting somewhat on potential.

The loss of DT Harold Brantley to injury is a major setback, but Augusta will ease that somewhat. He’s a hulking run-stopper. Brothers posted 122 tackles last season. Penton is the best of Missouri’s cornerbacks, which may be the position where the Tigers are deepest.

11. Kentucky: DL Melvin Lewis, LB Josh Forrest, DB A.J. Stamps

Big things are expected from Lewis, a 342-pound former junior college transfer. We’ll see if he delivers. Forrest already has delivered — he posted a team-leading 110 tackles in 2014. Stamps is a ballhawk at safety and could move to corner if needed.

12. South Carolina: DL Marquavius Lewis, LB Skai Moore, DB Chris Lammons

Lewis, a junior college transfer, reportedly had a strong spring. The Gamecocks desperately need him to have a strong autumn. Moore is small, but productive. He’s led South Carolina in tackles in each of the previous two seasons. Lammons, a sophomore corner, played well in the second half of last season, but the secondary is a major area of concern.

13. Arkansas: DL JaMichael Winston, LB Brooks Ellis, DB Jared Collins

Ellis emerged as a solid LB last season, but let’s see how he does without departed Martrell Spaight drawing blockers. Winston faces a big task in filling the shoes of departed Trey Flowers. Collins tied for the SEC lead with 13 passes broken up.

14. Vanderbilt: DL Adam Butler, LB Stephen Weatherly, DB Torren McGaster

Butler has good quickness at DT and can make plays in the backfield. Weatherly led the Commodores in sacks last season, but only managed 4.5. Although Vandy’s secondary needs work, McGaster is the most consistent corner.

Shhhh, vols are talking



Seriously, this post should probably be a thread of its own

Nice post.

Missouri = F'd.

It all falls apart this year. To the enjoyment of most of the SEC.

I'm sure this thread will be of interest to the morning crew.