1. #1
    Hman
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    Which Programs Have The Best Defensive Backs In 2018?

    Which programs have the best defensive backs for 2018?

    Phil Steele
    ESPN INSIDER


    Which college football programs have the top defensive back groups for 2018? Here are the top 15 defensive back units in college football.Editor's note: This article was adapted from Phil Steele's college football preview magazine, which is available here.

    1. Michigan Wolverines

    It'll be brutally tough throwing on the Wolverines once again. Every starter returns from a secondary that allowed an FBS-low 150.1 yards per game (48.8 percent, 11 TD-10 INT). Cornerback Lavert Hill was second-team All-Big Ten, while cornerback David Long, strong safety Josh Metellus and free safety Tyree Kinnel were all-honorable mention All-Big Ten. For good measure, Michigan added cornerback Casey Hughes, an 11-game starter at Utah.
    2. Washington Huskies

    The Huskies continue to do an exceptional job of mining defensive backs. This year, they return all but one contributor from a pass defense that yielded 197.2 yards per game and tied for No. 2 nationally with 10 touchdown passes allowed. Cornerbacks Byron Murphy and Jordan Miller are healthy after missing time in '17, and All-Pac-12 Taylor Rapp and JoJo McIntosh form an elite safety tandem for the Huskies.
    3. USC Trojans

    The Trojans' depth chart is flush in very highly touted prospects who will compete for reps. The unit is spearheaded by a pair of future high NFL draft picks, free safety Marvell Tell III (first-team All-Pac-12) and cornerback Iman Marshall (honorable mention All-Pac-12). Strong safety Ykili Ross is a riser, but senior cornerback Isaiah Langley must emerge now that incumbent Jack Jones has been declared ineligible for '18.
    4. LSU Tigers

    The Tigers continue to be a defensive back pipeline to the NFL, which is why so many very highly touted prospects want to play in Baton Rouge. The new star is first-team All-SEC cornerback Andraez Williams who debuted with six picks for a secondary that gave up just 11 touchdowns. LSU is hoping for similar first-year success from redshirt freshman cornerback Mannie Netherly. Safety is led by proven Grant Delpit and John Battle.
    5. Clemson Tigers

    Four defensive backs with starting experience are back for a pass defense that led the ACC in '17 (161.9, 52.5 percent, 16-14). Safeties Tanner Muse and Isaiah Simmons are thumpers built like linebackers, while corners Trayvon Mullen and Mark Fields are very highly touted players with a high ceiling. Mullen, in particular, could use his junior year as an NFL launching point.



    6. Ohio State Buckeyes

    It's a perennial case of next-man-in for the loaded Buckeyes secondary. First-round-pick Denzel Ward is gone from a defensive back unit that allowed 195.9 yards per game and 6.1 yards per attempt, but cornerbacks Kendall Sheffield, Damon Arnette (12 starts last season) and Jeffrey Okudah are poised to step up. Third-team All-Big Ten safety Jordan Fuller could contend for All-American honors this fall.
    7. Michigan State Spartans

    A young Spartan secondary held up very well in '17 (202.3, 56.6 percent, 15-14). With everyone back, including the reserves, Michigan State will be even stingier in '18. Safety Khari Willis, plus cornerbacks Josiah Scott and Justin Layne, copped All-Big Ten recognition, while safety David Dowell had a team-high five interceptions a season ago.
    8. Alabama Crimson Tide

    Who's got next? The Tide secondary is being overhauled, though this unit always ranks among the nation's toughest. Alabama boasts its usual haul of very highly touted players. The new cornerbacks are Trevon Diggs and Saivion Smith, who began at LSU. A thin safety crew features Deionte Thompson, Xavier McKinney and Patrick Surtain Jr.
    9. Miami Hurricanes

    The ball-hawking Canes pass defense intercepted 17 passes last season. Expect more of the same in 2018. Miami will start four seniors, including three returning starters. Strong safety Jaquan Johnson and cornerback Michael Jackson both picked off four passes, earned second-team All-ACC and will be coveted by NFL teams next spring.
    10. Utah Utes

    As usual, it won't be easy completing passes on the Utes. Cornerback Casey Hughes left the program, and strong safety Chase Hansen moved to rover, but six defensive backs with starting experience return to a group that yielded just 6.1 yards per attempt and 207.1 yards per game. Cornerback Julian Blackmon (four interceptions) earned second-team All-Pac-12, and senior strong safety Marquise Blair could be playing for a salary next season.
    11. Boston College Eagles

    The Eagles lost two cornerbacks to the NFL draft, but heralded safeties Lukas Denis (second-team All-ACC) and Will Harris are ready to pick up the slack. Boston College was airtight (51.5 percent, 10-18) finishing atop my defensive pass ratings, but maintaining that level of play hinges on the new corners, Hamp Cheevers (17 tackles) and redshirt freshman Tate Haynes.
    12. TCU Horned Frogs

    The Frogs always rank high in my defensive pass ratings, so they're uniquely qualified to manage the loss of two key all-stars. The foundation of the reigning top-ranked Big 12 pass defense will be strong safety Ridwan Issahaku (66 tackles), cornerback Jeff Gladney (honorable mention All-Big 12) and free safety Niko Small.
    13. Florida State Seminoles

    Even after losing a pair of touted stars, the Noles feel they can match last year's tight coverage (5.8 yards per attempt). Cornerback Levonta Taylor is the new group leader. He'll help mentor the projected sophomore starters, cornerback Stanford Samuels, strong safety Cyrus Fagan and free safety Hamsah Nasirildeen.
    14. Wisconsin Badgers

    History advises to not bet against the Badgers' defense. Three starters are gone, but when Wisconsin was equally unproven in 2016, it ended No. 10 in my defensive pass ratings. First-team All-Big Ten strong safety D'Cota Dixon heads the unit, though the staff is bullish on young cornerbacks Madison Cone and Dontye Carriere-Williams, who is a breakout candidate.
    15. Texas Longhorns

    A second year with the same staff ought to help a Longhorns secondary breaking in two new starters. A year after sporting the Big 12's best ratio (17-16), Texas will lean on five upperclassmen, namely cornerback Kris Boyd (15 pass breakups), nickelback P.J. Locke III (39 tackles) and strong safety Brandon Jones, who recorded 61 tackles a season ago.

  2. #2
    Ralphie Halves
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    Wow, how are we not all pounding the OVR win totals on Boston College? Legendary team this year!

    Fukkin Steele

  3. #3
    BigdaddyQH
    BigdaddyQH
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ralphie Halves View Post
    Wow, how are we not all pounding the OVR win totals on Boston College? Legendary team this year!

    Fukkin Steele
    The funny thing is that some people actually believe his garbage.

  4. #4
    GoCanes24
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    Malek Young suffered a career-ending spine injury late last year and was another one of our shutdown corners alongside Michael Jackson. Watch out for Trajan Bandy (if you watched the Miami-Notre Dame game he was the one who cut in front of the short pass for a Pick-6) to start alongside Jackson; tremendous athlete and loves to get physical despite being on the smaller side.

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