Alabama
Let's do some simple math. First, the Tide finished 2004 with
the nation's top ranked pass defense, giving up a meager 1282
yards passing to opponents through 11 games. No other defense
held their opponents below the 1300-yard mark. Opposing QB's
43.4% completion rate (2nd-best in I-A) also proves what these
DBs can do. Second, all four starters return for Bama. Need
we say more? Shutdown corner Charlie Peprah successfully made
the switch to strong safety, where he was a big factor in all
phases. Ramzee Robinson's emergence as a legitimate shutdown
corner allows the coaching staff to make such a move. Backup
Simeon Castille is ready to become one of the SEC's top contributors
and push last year's starter, super-quick Anthony Madison, which
gives the Tide even more depth at the corner
whew! At free
safety, '04 all-SEC selection Roman Harper is even more of a
ball hawk than Peprah. Incoming safety Chris Keyes successfully
represents two years of Shula's efforts to increase size/physicality
here. This is a veteran group of upperclassmen (three seniors,
one junior), making our decision for the top DB unit ranking
a no-brainer.
Miami
FL
The Canes have been known as "Defensive Back U."
for a very long time. For years, NFL draft followers have
witnessed player after player from Miami taken in the early
rounds of the April draft, only to then see the Hurricanes
respond the very next year with yet another top secondary
unit, full of fresh names. Calling it a reloading process
would be an understatement. Granted, one of the nation's best
defensive backs/players has departed (Antrel Rolle was the
8th overall 2005 draft pick), but for those still wondering
how this might effect the secondary - you must not have read
the above statements. Who fills in for Rolle? A year ago,
Marcus Maxey recorded the team's fastest 40-yard dash time
- a grass-singeing 4.25 seconds. This year, it is all-American
punt returner Devin Hester with a 4.29-recorded time. Hester
also led the team with four INTs. Both will battle for Rolle's
vacated corner spot. Depth is plentiful, with three players
likely to see (equal) time at the safety spots (Meriweather,
Threat and Reddick). Keep an eye on highly-touted freshman
Kenny Phillips, a local (Carol City) strong safety who was
named the USA Today Defensive Player of the Year in 2004 (prep
teammate of standout linebacker Willie Williams). The hits
just keep coming in Coral Gables.
Penn
State
While all the talk around Happy Valley has mainly been focused
on a great LB core, the secondary should, too, provide the
spark needed to get this team back into bowl contention. Most
of the group that formed the nation's No. 6 pass defense (No.4
in efficiency) is back, including second-team all-Big Ten
corner Alan Zemaitis, a game-changing playmaker who has been
a steady part of this defense since his 2002 sophomore campaign.
Counterpart Anwar Phillips also blossomed into a shutdown
corner in his first year as a starter, breaking up 10 passes
and picking off four, both team-highs, as foes threw away
from Zemaitis. Pittsburgh-area recruit Justin King (top CB
in 2005's recruiting class) gives this secondary even more
depth/playmakers. Calvin Lowry, one of the team's fastest,
returns at HERO (fitting name, proven by his four fumble recoveries),
and Chris Harrell (a 2003 co-starter with the now departed
Andrew Guman) takes over at free safety after returning from
a neck injury that forced him to sit out last fall. Harrell's
return has been anxiously anticipated and solidifies this
group as a sure fire Top 5 DB unit. Coaches loves to use those
nickel schemes to stop high-powered passers, and they'll still
have enough depth to do that, especially with these youngsters
who know already how to keep the play in front of them effectively
(only eight I-A teams allowed less than ten passing TDs, and
PSU led the nation by allowing only five). Don't expect many
big plays against this bunch.
Southern
Miss
The Golden Eagles represent the first so-called "mid-major"
team to break into any of our 2005 Top Five Unit Rankings.
In large part, USM's inclusion has to do with the fact that
top DB units are tougher to locate for this season. Moreover,
all four starters return to this secondary, and they are led
by NC.net preseason all-American dual-threat (at both DB and
kick returner) John Eubanks. Other starter Caleb Hendrix can
also be left on an island, so the corners are solid as they
force most action over the middle. This ranking decision could
be considered suspect if you consider how all-CUSA FS Trevis
Coley has moved to weakside LB to join his twin brother (Kevis)
in an effort to fill major LB vacancies. Expect the hard-hitting
Trevis, however, to remain a key defender in this pass coverage
clog as late spring decisions may place him floating from
LB to DB. This same secondary was their defensive strongpoint
in '04. With twin brothers truly representing the interchange-ability
amongst this back seven, lots of nickel and dime looks will
blur the lines between the speedy LBs that can drop back and
how the DBs are plugged in for run support, and it will all
have optimal affect.
Ohio
State
In most seasons, the Buckeyes would have just missed with
this unit. But, again, given the lack of quality secondaries
for '05, they make our list based on possibilities/potential
and experience. CB Ashton Youboty is a top-rate Big Ten defender
he
is big and fast with NFL skills. He was the team's best pass
defender a year ago and is likely to dot many post-season
(all-whatever) lists. The key to this group will be locating
a corner to play the opposite side. Thus far, former strong
safety Tyler Everett has held down the position. Cleveland-native
Jamario O'Neal is a true freshman who comes in as Rivals.com
No.3-rated corner. All of the above-mentioned have apparently
shown coaches enough so that any talk of sophomore sensation
Ted Ginn playing both at receiver and cornerback appears to
be curtailed. At FS, Nate Salley returns for his senior campaign
after reaping all-Big Ten honors. He will be starting his
third season and is one of the true Buckeye field leaders.
OSU can do even better than last year's bend-but-don't-break
mentality, a conservative approach which allowed a mere 5.6
yards per attempt and kept the longest pass play from an opponent
to a measly 46 yards.
Just
missed:
Fresno State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Iowa State, Texas Tech,
West Virginia
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