Alabama coach Nick Saban has a different view on affecting quarterbacks, as opposed to most coaches in the Southeastern Conference. While others primarily look for sacks and negative plays, Saban focuses on batted balls, flushing signal callers out of the pocket and not allowing guys to step up and make clean throws. Creating pressure is important; however, defensive ends are also called to limit opportunities in the run game and contain the outside (athletic quarterbacks).
Myles Garrett, Jonathan Allen, Marquis Haynes and Derek Barnett are just a few names that have position coaches chomping at the bit to work with next season. Listed below is a outline, breaking down the top 10 defensive ends that will look to wreak havoc on the SEC in the fall.
10. Carl Lawson, Junior- Auburn Tigers
- Injuries have limited him to 21 games in three seasons (hip, knee)
- Was second on the team in sacks (four) and fourth in tackles for loss (7.5) as a freshman
- Helped Auburn secure a 12-2 mark in 2013, culminating in an SEC championship
9. Darius English, Senior- South Carolina Gamecocks
- Finished 10th in tackles (28), second in tackles for loss (six) and first in sacks (4.5) in 2015
- Has played in 37 games, despite seeing action in one game as a freshman (wrist)
- Chimes in at 74 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, six sacks, six quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles (career)
- He’s been a part of three winning seasons, including two 11-2 campaigns in 2012-13.
8. Charles Harris, Junior- Missouri Tigers
- Earned second team All-SEC honors in 2015
- Led all defensive linemen in tackles (56), tackles for loss (18.5) and sacks (seven)
- Anchored the team in quarterback hurries with 10
- Stands at 75 TKLs, 22.5 TFLs, nine sacks, 14 QBHs and three FFs in 25 games
- Helped Missouri notch an 11-3 season in 2014 (SEC title game loss to Alabama)
7. Byron Cox, Jr., Senior- Florida Gators
- Finished sixth on the team in TKLs (45), fourth in TFLs (10.5) in 2015
- Posted 3.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles in 14 games
- Has accounted for 79 TKLs, 18.5 TFLs, 9.5 sacks, 11 QBHs and two FFs in 33 games
- Helped Florida accomplish an SEC East title last season with a 10-4 record
6. Deatrich Wise, Jr., Senior- Arkansas Razorbacks
- Earned Phil Steele’s third team All-SEC status
- Secured eight sacks in 2015, all coming against SEC competition
- Led Arkansas in sacks and tackles for loss (10.5)
- Has 61 TKLs, 16.5 TFLs, 12 sacks, 10 QBHs and three FFs in 36 games
- Helped the Razorbacks secure an 8-5 year in 2015 (bowl win vs. Kansas State)
5. Lewis Neal, Senior- LSU Tigers
- Led all defensive linemen in tackles (48) in 2015
- Finished fourth overall in TKLs, third in TFLs (9.5) and first in sacks (eight)
- Amassed 58 TKLs, 11.5 TFLs, 8.5 sacks and nine QBHs in 58 games
- Helped LSU to two bowl wins in three seasons (2013 and 2015)
4. Marquis Haynes, Junior- Mississippi Rebels
- Led all defensive linemen in tackles (43) in 2015
- Was fifth on the team in TKLs, first in TKLs (16.5) and first in sacks (10)
- Earned Freshman All-American and All-SEC Freshman team honors in 2014
- Has 74 TKLs, 25.5 TFLs, 17.5 sacks, 15 QBHs and six FFs in 26 games
- Helped Ole Miss obtain its first 10-win season under Hugh Freeze in 2015
3. Derek Barnett, Junior- Tennessee Volunteers
- Earned second team All-SEC honors (coaches, Associated Press) in 2015
- Earned an All-American status from Pro Football Focus in 2015
- Led all defensive linemen in tackles (69), while finishing third overall
- Was second on the team in TFLs (12.5) and first in sacks (10)
- Stands at 141 TKLs, 33 TFLs, 20 sacks, 15 QBHs and a forced fumble in 26 games
- Guided Tennessee to a 9-4 mark last season and is expecting more in 2016
2. Jonathan Allen, Senior- Alabama Crimson Tide
- Earned first team All-SEC honors (coaches, Associated Press) in 2015
- Named first team All-SEC from the Associated Press in 2014
- Led Alabama in TFLs (14.5) and sacks (12) last season
- Has totaled 83 TKLS, 28.5 TFLs, 17.5 sacks, 14 QBHs and three FFs in 41 games
- Compiles a 37-5 record with two SEC titles (2014-15) and a national championship
1. Myles Garrett, Junior- Texas A&M Aggies
- Earned Freshman All-American and All-SEC honors in 2014
- Led all defensive linemen in tackles (59) in 2015
- Finished fifth overall in TKLs, first in TFLs (19.5) and first in sacks (12.5)
- Was first on the team in quarterback hurries (10) and forced fumbles (five)
- Has 112 TKLs, 33.5 TFLs, 24 sacks, 20 QBHs and five FFs in 25 games
- Guided Texas A&M to two 8-5 seasons thus far (2014 and 2015)
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
