2007 CFN Preview - Unit Rankings ... D Line

CFN 2007 Preview Unit Rankings - Defensive Line Ranked 1 to 119

2007 CFN Unit Rankings

Defensive Lines

CFN 2007 Unit Rankings
2007 Preview | Offenses | Quarterbacks | Running Backs
Receivers | Offensive Lines | Defenses
Linebackers | Secondaries | Special Teams  

1. LSU
Utter destruction. No one's running on Glenn Dorsey, Charles Alexander and Marlon Favorite, while the pass rushing from all four spots should be relentless. If Rahim Alem and Tremaine Johnson can be merely adequate on the right side, this group will be a dominant force.

2. USC
Arguably the nation’s toughest defensive line will set the tone for the entire defense, winning the battle for the line of scrimmage and clamping down on every opponent intent on establishing a ground game. Sedrick Ellis and Lawrence Jackson are All-America caliber playmakers to work around, while Fili Moala is an unsung rock on the inside who'll swallow everything up. 

3. Iowa
New defensive line coach Rick Kaczenski inherits a heater of a hand. If everyone stays healthy, this might turn into the Big Ten's best front four. All the starters are legitimate All-Big Ten candidates with Ken Iwebema in a salary drive before becoming a top 50 draft pick next year. The backups aren't experienced, but there's plenty of talent and upside to get excited about.

4. Georgia Tech
This should be one of the ACC's best lines as long as the tackles hold up. There are too many good ends to get on the field at the same time, and that's a good thing. The coaching staff knows how to juggle talent creating a good result with plenty of sacks, lots of fresh bodies late in the season, and plenty of plays behind the line. 

5. Miami
As always, the Canes will generate pressure up front and get plenty of production from the talented front four. Calais Campbell is an All-American, Eric Moncur has all-star talent, and Antonio Dixon could be a high draft pick if he plays up to his skills. Forget running on this group.

6. Texas
It's not all doom and gloom after losing 16 sacks and 96 tackles from Brian Robison and Tim Crowder. The tackles will make up for any problems on the outside early on, and eventually, there will be an excellent rotation of active defenders at the end. The line will hardly be a weakness.

7. TCU
As long as Tommy Blake and Chase Ortiz are Tommy Blake and Chase Ortiz, TCU will finish in the top ten in America in sacks and tackle for loss. Everything revolves around the outside going in, and James Vess and Cody Moore should shine with all the focus on the stars. TCU always finds productive playmakers to fill the gaps, and it'll have to hope a good rotation forms among the reserves over the course of the season.

8. Virginia Tech
There might not be any sure-thing all-stars on the line, outside of, possibly, Chris Ellis and Kory Robertson, if he plays up to his potential. Even so, this will be among the ACC's most productive lines, with good pass rushing from all four spots, and good drive and motors from most to make up for any mistakes. This is an active group that'll do what's needed to allow the stellar linebacking corps to do their thing.

9. UCLA
Just how much will Justin Hickman and his 19 tackles for loss be missed this year? If the Bruins can find a way to keep the heat off Bruce Davis in 2007, they’ll again boast one of the toughest defensive lines in the Pac-10.

10. Clemson
Georgia Tech, Miami, Boston College and Virginia Tech will all be loaded on the defensive line and should get plenty of attention, but Clemson's will be every bit as good. The tackles are fantastic, with Dorrell Scott about to blow up into a star, while Phillip Merling and Ricky Sapp will ease the loss of Gaines Adams. Everyone can get into the backfield, and everyone can make plays against the run.

11	Boston College
12	Florida State
13	Auburn
14	Rutgers
15	Oklahoma
16	Louisville
17	South Florida
18	Ohio State
19	Nebraska
20	Virginia
21	Oregon State
22	Florida
23	Michigan
24	Kansas State
25	Georgia
26	NC State
27	Cincinnati
28	Southern Miss
29	Washington
30	Mississippi
31	East Carolina
32	Penn State
33	Wisconsin
34	Arizona
35	Tennessee
36	Colorado
37	California
38	Missouri
39	Arkansas
40	Maryland
41	Texas A&M
42	Wake Forest
43	Arizona State
44	South Carolina
45	Oklahoma State
46	BYU
47	Alabama
48	New Mexico
49	Notre Dame
50	West Virginia
51	Oregon
52	Michigan State
53	Mississippi State
54	Vanderbilt
55	Pitt
56	Washington State
57	Syracuse
58	Colorado State
59	Western Michigan
60	Fresno State
61	Northwestern
62	North Carolina
63	Duke
64	Illinois
65	Boise State
66	Nevada
67	Wyoming
68	Connecticut
69	Kansas
70	Stanford
71	Central Michigan
72	Indiana
73	Kentucky
74	Utah
75	Minnesota
76	Houston
77	Purdue
78	Memphis
79	Troy
80	Marshall
81	Ohio
82	Middle Tennessee
83	Texas Tech
84	Baylor
85	San Jose State
86	Tulsa
87	Hawaii
88	Iowa State
89	Akron
90	Kent State
91	Northern Illinois
92	Bowling Green
93	Toledo
94	UCF
95	UNLV
96	SMU
97	Miami Univ.
98	Air Force
99	Florida Atlantic
100	FIU
101	Ball State
102	Rice
103	Tulane
104	North Texas
105	Buffalo
106	UTEP
107	UAB
108	Louisiana Tech
109	San Diego State
110	Arkansas State
111	Eastern Michigan
112	New Mexico State
113	UL Monroe
114	Utah State
115	UL Lafayette
116	Army
117	Navy
118	Temple
119	Idaho