NCAA FOOTBALL
College Football Defense Preview
By: Ryan Quigley @RyanQuigley90
It is almost that time! Assuming if you are here checking out teams I am shouting out (in no particular order) you are chomping at the bit for football. Here are a few teams I am excited to watch on defense for the 2023 season.
Georgia Bulldogs
Yes, Georgia still has some studs left going into this season. Georgia has been sending a lot of players to the NFL but I am really excited to see the secondary for this upcoming season. Defensive Back Javon Bullard and co. should make life a little bit easier for the front 7 to stop the run/get after the QB. Excited to see how they have reloaded at those key positions and if the Bulldogs can continue their reign among the best in college football.
Iowa Hawkeyes
This defense deserves plenty of love, the knock on the Hawkeyes in recent memory has been a lackluster offense but the defense carried them to 10 wins last season. Losing key players like LB Jack Campbell and DB Riley Moss to the NFL will surely be missed but this team is still a gritty defensive team that the other sickos like me will love to watch a narrow win (like 7-3 against South Dakota State last season)
Michigan Wolverines
I don’t know if I can make it any clearer that I think Michigan will have a really good season, the offense has been coming together but the defense has been stout for the past few seasons and I believe that will continue this season. Michigan has been tough up front but I think the secondary deserves some credit as well and even without an Aidan Hutchinson type I think this could be the best defensive unit Jim Harbaugh has put together.
Penn State Nittany Lions
I will stay in the Midwest and go for the Big Ten hat trick with Penn State, it looks like the Nittany Lions have an all-around defense. Secondary led by Kalen King, Linebackers led by Abdul Carter and Curtis Jacobs and Chop Robinson off the Edge. This Penn State squad could make some noise but have some stiff competition with OSU in October and Michigan in November.
Alabama Crimson Tide
The Tide have plenty of players I hope are on my favorite team on Sundays, Dallas Turner with more opportunities as an Edge Rusher and a strong secondary with Kool-Aid McKinstry and Malachi Moore. Naturally Coach Saban has been bringing in a great recruiting class for over a decade, I am fascinated to see how often true freshman and high-profile recruit Caleb Downs factors in an already loaded defense.
Clemson Tigers
Clemson has a great team without a doubt, there is a reason they have Top 10 hype and are an early favorite to win the ACC. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Barrett Carter are the LB tandem that I am really looking forward to seeing, they have so much experience up front along the defensive line to group with a talented defensive backfield, should make life easier for the linebackers to “see ball, get ball” and make some big plays.
Florida State Seminoles
FSU had a solid team last year and they have returned a lot of that talent and have bulked up via the transfer portal, the player that stands out in this group? Jared Verse. Caleb Williams better watch out, Jared Verse has been another potential name that could go #1 overall in the 2024 draft. Quarterback is obviously the most popular position in football, let’s see if Jared Verse and the Seminoles can continue to put pressure on the QB this fall.
