Will Anderson Jr. is the 2021 Southeastern 14 SEC Football Defensive Player of the Year

The SEC was loaded with elite defenders this year; Alabama's Will Anderson was the best and we also rank the rest. 

Will Anderson Jr. photo courtesy of the University of Alabama.

1. Will Anderson Jr., LB, Alabama: 31 stops for loss and 17.5 tackles and there's no telling where the 'Bama defense would have been without him.

2. Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia: His stats didn't pop the way Anderson's did (10.5 stops for loss, six sacks) but certainly passed the eye test, and then some.

3. Sam Williams, edge, Ole Miss: 12.5 sacks and four forced fumbles, and was right up there with Anderson as the guy his defense couldn't have done without. 

4. Lewis Cine, S, Georgia: The Defensive MVP of the CFP title game led Georgia with nine break-ups and really packs a punch when he hits. 

5. Devonte Wyatt, DL, Georgia: Was the Bulldogs' highest-graded defensive lineman, according to PFF.com.

6. Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia: No player in the country had a bigger reputation, but he only played 37% of the Bulldogs' snaps.

7. Nolan Smith, edge, Georgia: Was a real force off the edge, as his nine stops for loss and 27 hurries showed.

8. Jordan Battle, S, Alabama: PFF graded him higher than Anderson; returned two of his three picks for scores.

9. Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn: PFF's highest-graded corner in the country; was incredibly consistent his past three seasons.

10. Josh Paschal, edge, Kentucky: His 15.5 stops for los tied for second in the league even though he missed the bowl game.  

11. Derion Kendrick, CB, Georgia: Led the Bulldogs (and tied for third in the SEC) with four picks.

12. DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M: Durable defender led a great Aggie defense with 12.5 stops for loss and 8.5 sacks. 

13. Kingsley Enagbare, DL, South Carolina: Potential '22 first-rounder whom PFF graded well as a pass-rusher even though the numbers (2.5 sacks, 10 hurries) didn't always show it. 

14. Jaylan Foster, S, South Carolina: Tied for the league lead with five picks; add in two forced fumbles, and no SEC player caused more turnovers than Foster.