College football defensive stars primed for monster seasons

When caught in Newton’s crosshairs at the line of scrimmage, you to feel it later. As noted by Chris Hummer, one could argue the most valuable position on defense is an interior rusher who can generate pressure and few players nationally are better at doing so than Newton. He’s the primary reason the Illinois secondary was so productive last fall, due to the havoc he caused off the snap. Newton ranked seventh nationally in 2022 with 59 pressures to go along with 61 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He anchored an Illinois defense that ranked second nationally in yards allowed per play.

Frankenstein’s monster was birthed at Ohio State during the Buckeyes’ win at Penn State when Tuimoloau almost single-handedly shut down the Nittany Lions. It was an individual performance that stood out nationally after the former five-star finished with six total tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, two interceptions (including one that was returned for a touchdown) and a pass breakup that led to another turnover. It was the kind of stat line that would even make the jaws of Joey Bosa and Chase Young hit the turf.

Trice led all FBS edge rushers in run-game win rate (29.5%) and was second in pass-rush win rate (22.4%), according to Pro Football Focus. He has future first-rounder written all over him if his development continues as one of the Pac-12’s most-feared pass rushers. Judging by his film, Trice never seems to tire and his explosiveness is noticeable on every snap he plays for the Huskies. Washington’s high-powered offenses has gotten much of the love this offseason, but Trice stands out on tape as the best player on the field for the preseason playoff contender.

Verse would have been one of the top edge players selected in the 2023 NFL Draft had he left the Seminoles after one season, but the former transfer is back with unfinished business to attend to as the face defensively for a playoff contender. Verse established himself as one of the top defensive ends in the country after picking up nine sacks and 16.5 tackles for a loss in 11 games despite playing through a nagging knee injury. Back to full strength now, the sky is the limit for a player without any weaknesses off the edge.

Arguably the most talented frontline defender returning to the SEC this season, Turner expected to have a Will Anderson Jr.-like sophomore campaign last fall but his numbers — while notable at 37 tackles and four sacks — trailed his breakout freshman year totals. The former freshman All-American stands 6-4, 245 pounds and passes the eye test with what you want to see for a future first-round selection. Often used as a hybrid defender who Alabama allows to roam in various roles, Turner’s strength is his speed and athleticism.

After All-Big Ten honorable mention as a true freshman at Indiana last season, McCullough steps into a starring role as a versatile defender at Oklahoma. At 6-5, 225 pounds, McCullough can play outside linebacker or stand up off the edge as a pass rusher with enough speed to conquer opposing offensive tackles. In limited duty during the Sooners’ spring game, McCullough broke up two passes and made three tackles and looked like an ideal fit in Venables’ scheme.

Perkins has been everything the LSU coaching staff thought he would be when he arrived in Baton Rouge as the No. 5 nationally and top-ranked linebacker. The former No. 1 player in the state of Texas overall had a Michael Jordan-like “flu game” against Arkansas last season when he registered eight tackles, four sacks and two forced fumbles, doing so despite coming down with a virus prior to kickoff. Perkins is the SEC’s most talented defender entering 2023, which makes him one of the players to watch nationally at his heightened position.

Multi-sport stars tend to shine when given free rein in the secondary and King routinely shows off his athleticism on the outside as a former basketball player and track star. Playing opposite of 2023 NFL Draft pick Joey Porter Jr. last season, the two former the Big Ten’s top duo at the position and opposing quarterbacks managed only a 48.9 passer rating against him, per PFF. He might be the nation’s best at his position in 2023.

One of the nation’s top players at the Star position, Bullard saved his best as a sophomore in big spots — two sacks against Tennessee, MVP of the semifinal win over Ohio State with the pulverizing hit on Marvin Harrison Jr. and two interceptions against TCU in the national championship game. He’s a certified stud who could be moving to cornerback following the exit of Kelee Ringo. Given his production his first two seasons on campus, Bullard is primed to put together his most complete campaign in 2023 and join several former teammates as the next level as an early-round selection. Rising sophomore safety and former five-star Malaki Starks received more publicity, but Bullard is equally important for Georgia’s success at the back end.

Kinchens is the top safety in college football from a playmaker standpoint and acts as an enforcer of sorts for the Hurricanes. Kinchens led all FBS safeties last fall with six interceptions to go along with 59 tackles and 1.5 TFLs. He’s a true ballhawk and alongside James Williams, provides Miami with the ACC’s top tandem at safety. It’s hard to imagine Kinchens being more productive this fall as he was last season, but it’s possible given his knowledge of opposing offenses on the schedule and how much he enjoys film study, according to sources.