Last week I did the offensive part of this series, so if you missed that check out the starting lineup. This week I will do defense as well as the kicker and punter. This is the best of the SEC that could defeat the cream of the SEC crop, Alabama.
Coaching
Defensive Coordinator- Kirby Smart, Georgia
Obviously Alabama has the best defense in the SEC, but Georgia is pretty darn good too. They have been more known for their defense and Smart has definitely improved it, after a slow declinine in recent years. Even though coaches from the “Saban Tree” have struggled immensely when going up against him, I think having them on the staff should do no harm.
Special Teams Coordinator- Mark Stoops, Kentucky
Honestly, the process for this pick was rather simple. Who has the highest efficiency in special teams according to ESPN? The answer is Kentucky, so I will bring on Mark Stoops for special teams. I would have gone for a head coach with a special teams background, but there is only one head coach in the FBS with such a background. So I had to settle for the next best thing.
Line Up
Defensive End- Josh Allen, Kentucky
Definitely one of those “tweeners” where he has the size of a defensive end, but is built more like a linebacker. Because of this–and being at Kentucky–he has really flown under the radar the last year or so. In 10 games, Allen has posted seven sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss, both ranking top five in the SEC. Allen also has three pass deflections and two forced fumbles to his name as well. His role will be edge-rushing, and a guy with his athletic ability should make a big impact.
Defensive End- Arden Key, LSU
Key has been battling injuries for much of the season, but he is still a solid choice when he is 100 percent–and in this scenario, he is. Much like Allen, he is not someone who can bull rush you, but his athletic ability will be more than enough to make up for it. In 11 games last year Key had 11 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. While strength might be an issue with the defensive ends, the amount of strength that will be around them will be enough to make up for it.
Defensive Tackle- Jeffery Simmons, Miss St
This guy is a stud, plain and simple. Simmons has already surpassed all he season totals from the year before and there is still three games left. Don’t be fooled by his size. He might be 301 lbs but he has so much muscle that he looks more like 280 lbs. He has a blocked a punt this year and also scored two touchdowns against Louisiana Tech. He will be the linchpin of this defensive line and one of the more important members of this defense.
Defensive Tackle- Taven Bryan, Florida
This guy is getting compared to JJ Watt. While there is zero chance that he actually lives up to that, he is still somebody that you don’t want to sleep on. Bryan’s numbers don’t jump off the stat sheet like a lot of other people on this list, but he is still a threat. After watching him, it is pretty clear even without those box stats he does break up a lot of plays and brings a lot of pressure. Plus having a guy nicknamed “Wyoming Wildman” brings a little more intimidation to the team.
Outside Linebacker- Roquan Smith, Georgia
Smith is one this guys who can just sniff out the ball and make a play on it. He is one of the toughest guys in the SEC and of course plays a big role in the Georgia defense. Even though he is an outside linebacker, he can definitely play inside as well. His ability in pass coverage is fairly decent but overall is one of the best prospects in this years draft. For now he will be my weak side linebacker.
Outside Linebacker- Terez Hall, Missouri
Believe it or not someone on Missouri’s defense is good. We haven’t seen much of Hall up until this season, but he is doing extremely well in an extended role. In 10 games this year he has 42 solo tackles–which is top 10 in the SEC. He also has 11 tackles for loss, which is second in the SEC. Since he is slightly bigger than Smith, I will put Hall as my strong side linebacker
Middle Linebacker- Devin White, LSU
Here is another stud. White has 103 tackles this season, which is sixth in the entire nation and first in the SEC. He’s had seven games this year with 10+ tackles and five with 13+ tackles. And don’t forget his three sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss or his three pass deflections, either. White is only a sophomore, but is more than ready take on a big role.
3-4 Linebacker- Skai Moore, South Carolina
At this point, it is gravy. Skai Moore is one of those guys who can do everything. He has 13 career interceptions, which is extremely impressive considering that a lot of corners don’t even get that many. He also has 19 career tackles for loss and five sacks. The only reason he won’t be getting a bigger role on this team is because he is a lot smaller and is another “tweener” on this defense. His role will strictly be passing situations and third down.
Cornerback- Jamel Dean, Auburn
Jamel has done a really good job this year in his first season as a starter. While he doesn’t have an interception, he does have six pass breakups and has been solid for most of the season. Dean is also a pretty decent tackler and can make the open field tackles important to defensive back positions. This attribute is more important in this case since Alabama is more of a run-first team, so having sure tacklers in the secondary is important.
Cornerback- Joejuan Williams, Vanderbilt
Here is another guy who does not have an interception but is still a solid corner. Williams has nine pass breakups and is another sure tackler to help counter the rushing attack of Alabama. While Joejuan doesn’t face the kind of quarterback talent or the outside talent that other corners face in the SEC West, I still believe that he is a solid choice and will be shadowing Ridley.
Nickle Back- Rashaan Gaulden, Tennessee
Gaulden is one of the few bright spots of the Tennessee defense. He is the only corner with an interception and has four pass breakups as well. Much like the other corners, he is a sure tackler. Gaulden is one of the more experienced guys on this defense and his role on this team will be more than just the actual play. Remember guys, he’s a champion of life.
Free Safety- Armani Watts, Texas A&M
Armani is one of the more consistent players I have seen recently. He has had injuries in the past, but when he straps up, expect a big play. He has 73 tackles on the season along with 9.5 tackles for loss, and four interceptions. Watts isn’t as fast as you would like from a safety but his instincts for the game will make up for that.
Strong Safety- Mike Edwards, Kentucky
We got the second Wildcat on this list that doesn’t get as much recognition as he should get because of circumstance. Edwards’ play mimics a lot of what Watts does, with great play-making ability, sure tackling, and defensive leadership. Edwards gets the call as the strong safety since he is a little bigger than Watts, but the roster will definitely mix things up with these two.
Special Teams
Kicker- Eddy Pineiro, Florida
Eddy has one of the strongest legs in the country, as I’m sure y’all have seen in his kicking videos. When Nick Saban is begging you to come to Alabama, that is how you know someone is good. So it was pretty easy choosing Eddy since he has done more than enough to prove his worth at Florida.
Punter- Johnny Townsend, Florida
So many reasons why I picked the real “Johnny Football”. He pancaked a Kentucky player right after bombing a 61 yard punt. Pat McAfee says this guy is a stud and he is now a Ray Guy finalist (best punter in the nation) for the second straight season. Al Davis is drooling over this guy in his grave. Enough said.