The key to any good defense is pressure up front. Teams can be loaded with talent in the secondary but it won’t matter nearly as much if they don’t have a strong pass rush and ability to stop the run. We took the time to break down every SEC defense in order to determine which teams have the best front seven units. Here is a look at the top front sevens in the SEC right now.
Alabama Crimson Tide
The defending national champion Crimson Tide lost some substantial talent up front and still own the best front seven in the SEC. The key was Jonathan Allen’s return at defensive end despite being eligible for the NFL Draft. Allen will join Dalvin Tomlinson, Da’Shawn Hand and freshman All-American Da’Ron Payne on the defensive line after all four played significant snaps a year ago. Meanwhile at linebacker, Reuben Foster is back on the inside after registering 73 tackles a year ago while Tim Williams leads the outside linebacker core after registering 10.5 sacks last season. Ryan Anderson, Shaun Dion Hamilton and Rashaad Evans will round out an impressive linebacker core that is loaded with talent and depth.
LSU Tigers
The Tigers will undergo a scheme change with Dave Aranda taking over as the defensive coordinator and he will certainly have a ton of talent to work with. LSU will switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4, and that should suit their personnel just fine including up front where Davon Godchaux and Lewis Neal will lead the way at the defensive end positions. Preseason All-SEC pick Kendell Beckwith should thrive in the middle of their linebacker core while Arden Key and Tashawn Bower make up a formidable pair of outside linebackers that should thrive in the 3-4. We all know that the Tigers have what they need on defense to compete for an SEC title. The questions are more surrounding an offense and a passing game that hasn’t been up to par in recent years.
The Tigers are projected to contend with Alabama for an SEC West title and their front seven is a big reason for it. It’s one of the best units in the business but they won’t be able to overcome bad quarterback play with their defense.
Tennessee Volunteers
The Tennessee front seven in anchored by two first-team All-SEC preseason picks in defensive end Derek Barnett and linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin. Barnett had 10 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss a year ago while Reeves-Maybin registered a team-high 105 tackles including 14 for a loss. Kendal Vickers, LaTroy Lewis and Corey Vereen all return up front after they started next to Barnett along the defensive line in 2015 while Darren Kirkland Jr. and Kenny Bynum will start next to Reeves-Maybin at linebacker. The Vols are projected to have one of the better defenses in the SEC East last season and their strong front seven is a big reason for it.
It’s interesting that most of the attention surrounding the Vols has been focused on the offense this offseason. Yes, everyone is aware that Josh Dobbs might be the best quarterback in the conference and they have all sorts of talent at the skill positions. However, the defense is really why this team is being considered a contender in the SEC. The offense has already proven capable and the defense looks like it could be SEC-good. If that’s the case, the Vols are truly going to live up to their hype.
Ole Miss Rebels
Robert Nkemdiche’s graduation to the NFL will hurt the Rebels up front but they still have some considerable talent along their defensive line. All-SEC defensive end Marquis Hayes will be leaned on to help replace the production they lost when Nkemdiche moved on while Breeland Speaks, D.J. Jones and Isaac Gross hold down the positions on the interior. Ole Miss lost some experience at linebacker as well but they return their leading tackler from a year ago in DeMarquis Gates and the addition of graduate transfer Rommel Mageo from Oregon State will help solidify one of the better front seven units in the SEC.
