2008 CFN Preview - Unit Rankings ... DLs

CFN 2008 Preview Unit Rankings - Defensive Lines Ranked 1 to 119

2008 CFN Unit Rankings

Defensive Lines

CFN 2008 Unit Rankings
2008 Preview | Offenses | Quarterbacks | Running Backs
Receivers | Offensive Lines | Defenses | Defensive Lines
Linebackers | Secondaries | Special Teams  

1. LSU
What's the difference between the SEC and the rest of the world? Defensive linemen like LSU's. The Tiger projected starting front four checks in at 291, 293, 281 and 252 pounds and all can move like linebackers. The projected second teamers go 282, 316, 302 and 254 pounds. The two-deep averages 284 pounds per man.  Glenn Dorsey might be gone, but if Ricky Jean-Francois is half as good as expected, and if Charles Alexander's knee is healthy, the tackles will form a brick wall. Tyson Jackson is in a salary drive at one end, and could make himself into a top ten pick with a double-digit sack season, while Kirston Pittman is a terror on the right side. The second teamers would start at about 100 other places.

2. Georgia Tech
Welcome to what will be the strength of the 2008 Yellow Jackets. Even after parting with productive ends Adamm Oliver and Darrell Robertson, Tech won’t skip a beat up front. Stepping into the spotlight on the outside will be senior Michael Johnson and sophomore Derrick Morgan. When even the tackles move like ends, it’s going to be a very long season for Tech’s opponents. If Johnson, considered among the ten best pro prospects going into the 2009 NFL Draft, and Morgan are as good as expected from the outside, there aren’t many offensive lines in the country that’ll keep this group from causing mayhem. On the inside will be a couple of the league’s best run stuffers, seniors Vance Walker and Darryl Richard. The 6-2, 293-pound Walker was a revelation in his first season as a starter, parlaying 45 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles into a spot on the All-ACC first team and a likely first round draft slot next year. It’s splitting hairs, but other than Elris Anyaibe, the line is short on upperclassmen or players with much relevant game experience.

3. USC
Sedrick Ellis and Lawrence Jackson were two of the first 28 picks in April’s draft, yet the Trojans are going to be more than fine up front. Fili Moala and Everson Griffen are the new headliners of a front wall that’ll rely on a deeper group of players this fall. The Trojans are so quick and strong up front, opposing backs are rarely able to get to the second level. Of course, not that things get any easier there. Moala is going to make himself plenty of money this fall, and Griffen and Kyle Moore are big enough on the outside to be valuable assets in run support.

4. Georgia
After underachieving in 2006 and overachieving a bit last year, the line comes back loaded with talent, experience, and a boatload of depth for each spot. The tackles are tremendous and the ends are great against the run. Few offenses will be able to consistently run on this group, but it might take a little while before the pass rush emerges from the ends. There might not be much in the way of national superstar power, but that will quickly change; this could grow into the SEC's best line in a hurry. Geno Atkins and Jeff Owens might not be household names, but they might form the nation's best tackle tandem. Kade Weston and Corvey Irvin are active inside presences who'd start for most teams.

5. Clemson
The line boasts an ideal blend of outside explosiveness and inside power, giving the program one of the best front fours in the ACC. Although a tackle or two needs to step up and provide support in the rotation, the Tigers have little to worry about with this group. With Ricky Sapp and DaQuan Bowers on the outside and Dorell Scott and Rashaad Jackson on the inside, the Tigers have four linemen who might someday play in the pros. Minimum. There’s also a host of top-tier youngsters buried on the three-deep who’ll help bolster depth.

6. Boston College
After sitting out last season due to an academic issue, senior B.J. Raji is back at defensive tackle and looking to recapture the form that made him an NFL prospect. A pillar of strength in run defense at 6-1 and 325 pounds, he uses his leverage to his advantage, bull rushing opponents en route to the backfield. The tackles are big, deep, and poised to once again be the catalysts for one of the nation’s stingiest run defenses. Adding Raji to an interior that already includes Brace will be a nightmare for opposing running games. After Alex Albright, who’s outstanding, the Eagles are dangerously thin at defensive end. If opponents get wise to this situation and double Albright, there are concerns about generating much pressure.

7. Penn State
Penn State finished sixth in the nation in sacks and seventh in run defense in 2006 and was supposed to be in rebuilding mode last year. Yeah, right. All the line did was lead the way for the nation's seventh best run defense, again, and was second in the nation in sacks and tenth in tackles for loss. Now the line is even better with Evans a superstar to revolve around, too many good tackles to get on the field at the same time, and good potential among the reserve ends. This group will dominate even without Baker and Taylor, but it would’ve been a brick wall had they been in the middle. Even so, the line can get into the backfield from all four spots with Evans leading the show. There isn't a lightweight in the bunch among the front four, unless Aaron Maybin is in, and then the speed gets cranked up a notch.

8. Michigan
Sort of a disappointment last year, especially against anyone running a spread offense, the line needs to be the rock of the team with all four starters. This group has to be great every game, no matter what, or Michigan loses. It might be that simple. Terrance Taylor and Will Johnson have the potential to be among the nation's best tackle pairs, while Tim Jamison and Brandon Graham are big, quick pass rushers on the outside. While the depth with appear to be lacking, there's great size inside with prospects like 308-pound Renaldo Sagesse, 336-pound Marques Slocum, and 339-pound John Kates able to step in and clog things up if needed. Overall, this group looks the part, and now it has to play like it.

9. Oklahoma
This should be a very good line, as always, but can it be the scary-good group that owns opposing Big 12 offenses? It’s possible if the tackle rotation gets set early and if DeMarcus Granger's past legal issues don’t become a problem. Gerald McCoy is an All-American in waiting and end Auston English will be a threat for double-digit sacks, so if the rest of the spots can be filled in around them, this will be yet another strong OU front wall. With all the newcomers in the linebacking corps and in the secondary, the line has to be special. While there's experience and depth, this might not be the type of be-all-end-all front four, in whatever combination the coaching staff comes up with, to win games by itself.

10. Pitt
Dave Wannstedt has been building for this moment, when he goes two-deep with linemen ready to make plays at this level.  If everyone can stay healthy at one time, the Panthers have a chance to own an exceptional, tone-setting unit that can dominate. Now that Gus Mustakas is almost back from injury and Mick Williams is breaking out, the Panthers have four interchangeable tackles capable of starting a game. Opposing teams will have a rough time running the ball on a quick and aggressive group that’s about to peak. Sophomore Greg Romeus is about to blow up on the end; he has All-Big East talent.

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