The SEC's top 14 defensive players, Week One
Chris Lee • 9/9/2021 in Football
Here's how we rank the SEC's 14 best defensive players after one week of play.
We've got a new man at the top spot! Ratings are based on preseason expectations combined with Week One performance; the latter will carry more weight as the season progresses.
1. Will Anderson, LB, Alabama (last week: 3): Nine total tackles (two solo) and one sack as Alabama held Miami to 13 points.
2. DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M (2): Had five tackles and a sack in a season-opening win over Kent State.
3. Josh Jobe, CB, Alabama (5): Had five total tackles and a break-up vs. Miami.
4. Eli Ricks, CB, LSU (4): Had a pick in a loss to UCLA.
5. Derek Stingley Jr, DB, LSU (1): Two tackles, one for loss as the Tiger defense performed poorly vs. UCLA.
6. Jaylen Catalon, S, Arkansas (10): Had two picks and 11 tackles (five solo) in a win over Rice.
7. Blaze Alldredge, LB, Missouri (NR): Had a monster game (10 tackles, 3.5 sacks, six stops for loss) after a dominating season at Rice the last two seasons.
8. Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida (6): Three tackles (all solo) in the win over FAU.
9. Tykee Smith, DB, Georgia (7): Did not play due to injury vs. Clemson.
10. Zach Carter, DL, Florida (NR): Four tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble in a dominant game vs. FAU.
11. Malachi Moore, S, Alabama (8): Two tackles (one solo) and a pick vs. Miami.
12. Josh Paschal, DE, Kentucky (NR): Was a quarterback's nightmare in a 1.5-sack, 2.5 TFL, eight-tackle opener.
13. Jordan Battle, S, Alabama (NR): Steady presence who rarely comes off the field for the Crimson Tide.
14. Christopher Smith, S, Georgia (NR): His pick-6 accounted for the winning score vs. Clemson.