2009 CFN Preview - Unit Rankings ... DLs

CFN 2009 Preview Unit Rankings - Defensive Lines Ranked 1 to 120

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Preview 2009 ... Unit Rankings

Defensive Lines

- CFN Preview 2009
- CFN's Top 200 Players of 2009

CFN 2009 Unit Rankings
- Offenses | Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Receivers | Offensive Lines
- Defenses | Defensive Lines | Linebackers | Secondaries  | Special Teams

1. Oklahoma
 
As good as the OU offensive line was last year, that's how good the OU defensive line is this season. There are all-star prospects across the board with Gerald McCoy a superstar to take all the pressure off the rest of the veterans. The ends, led by Jeremy Beal and Auston English, will be camped out in opposing backfields while the tackles will be a brick wall against the run.

2. Ole Miss
 
The call went out to start getting into the backfield more, and Ole Miss answered in a huge way. New defensive line coach Terry Price has a loaded front four with depth, athleticism, options, and next level talent, like ends Greg Hardy, Kentrell Lockett, and Marcus Tillman to play around with. Only injuries and bone-headedness off the field could keep this group from being fantastic.

3. Nebraska
 
The line looked the part going into last season with size, résumés, and athleticism, but it hadn't produced as well as it should've. It came through big-time against the mediocre teams, and now it has to be better against the elite. Thanks to Ndamukong Suh, Barry Turner and Pierre Allen, there should be plenty of plays behind the line while it should lead the way for the best run defense in the North.

4. Pitt
 
If, indeed, it all starts up front, the Panther defense should be in for a big season with enough talent on the line to dominate and force quarterbacks into mistake after mistake. The Big East doesn’t have many quality passers as it is, so the Panthers will enjoy a huge edge in most games with Greg Romeus coming from the outside, and Mick Williams controlling things inside.

5. Florida
 
Jermaine Cunningham and Carlos Dunlap belong in the NFL right now, Terron Sanders and Lawrence Marsh are tough, talented veterans, and Omar Hunter and Jaye Howard might be even better for the interior. While there could be more of a pass rush and there could be a few more big plays, no one's running on this very deep, very talented group.

6. Virginia Tech
 
The key up front will be the play of Nekos Brown. If he can do even a fair impression of Orion Martin, the Hokies will boast one of the best defensive lines in the ACC, if not the country. Year-in and year-out, this program always does a great job of cobbling together a unit that will stuff the run and pressure the pressure. This season will be no different with Jason Worilds in the hunt for ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors and with a slew of great players working around him.

7. LSU
 
The line should come roaring back after a good, but not tremendous season. Rahim Alem and Drake Nevis are about to grow into stars, while Alexander is a veteran who know what he's doing. The depth might not be fully developed or experienced outside of Al Woods, but there's size. It'll be a good front four that'll take over games at times.

8. California
 
The pieces are in place for this to be the most talented and productive Cal defensive line in years. Tyson Alualu and Cameron Jordan form an all-star bookend, and Derrick Hill and Kendrick Payne will plug holes in run defense from the middle. If Jordan really blows up, as expected, there’ll be few answers for containing this line.

9. Miami
 
Although Miami doesn’t boast any shoe-in all-star along the defensive line, it has as much depth and overall talent as any unit in the ACC. Now, it has to back it up, especially against the run. With Eric Moncur returning and players, such as Allen Bailey, Marcus Forston, and Marcus Robinson, ready for take off, the Hurricanes should be markedly better at the point of attack than a year ago.

10. North Carolina
 
The parts are in place for this to be a dynamite defensive front, but now the Heels have to put that potential into action. After finishing 56th nationally against the run and 8oth in sacks, the defense is capable of so much more, provided the line gets a better push up front. The competition at several spots, working around DT Marvin Austin,  should help keep everyone focused and motivated. Carolina boasts one of the best rotations of defensive linemen in the ACC. Forget the two-deep. The Heels can easily go three-deep with productive players.

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