The top 25 defensive players in college football for 2019

The Big Ten has a lot of talented players in the front seven (you will see on this list), and Bachie is at or near the top of the list. He led a great Spartans defense in tackles for the last two seasons. He had 8.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and five passes defended and was one of the key cogs in a unit that led the nation in rushing defense.

Auburn's front seven should be problems for opposing offenses, and Brown is the leader of the group. He is huge (6-foot-5 and nearly 320 pounds) and athletic and has the ability to both eat up blockers and still make plays. The Tigers go up against some high-octane offenses this year (Oregon, Georgia and Alabama are some prime examples), and Brown's ability to put pressure in the face of quarterbacks will be a huge key to Auburn's success.

Quick: Who was the only ACC school, besides Clemson, to finish with at least 10 wins in 2018? It was Syracuse. Cisco, then a freshman, tied for the national lead in interceptions with seven last year and is back to try to scare quarterbacks in 2019. He was everywhere toward the end of the season with nine tackles and a pick against Notre Dame and nine tackles in the Orange's bowl game against West Virginia.

Derrick Brown isn't the only elite defensive lineman the Auburn Tigers have. Coe has developed into a feared edge rusher and is a big reason why this Tigers team could have the best D-line in the nation. Coe has the versatility to play anywhere on that line, which makes him tough for a coach to prepare for with blocking schemes. Fun fact: He was a two-time high school wrestling champion in North Carolina.

Davis slid a little bit last year after having a solid sophomore season. His build is intimidating (6-foot-7, 315 lbs) and he is athletic, but he's also had some questionable moments during his Crimson Tide career. He skipped out on the NFL to return to Alabama for what the team hopes is a defining season. The lasting image in many people's minds of the Tide's defense is how Clemson rolled all over it in the College Football Playoff championship game. Davis is back to change that. 

LSU is known for having elite defensive backs, and Delpit looks to have his name mentioned among those greats. Last season he picked off five passes, recorded five sacks and forced a fumble. Not only does he possess top-level range and coverage skills, but LSU also likes to use him to pressure the quarterback. Having a talented safety like Delpit allows for the Tigers to take more risks with blitzes and coverage schemes. 

Eisworth has traveled a long way to get to his senior season. He originally committed to Ole Miss where he suffered a hamstring injury. Upset by the care he was getting, he transferred to Trinity Valley Community College for a season before transferring to Iowa State. Eisworth was the Big 12's Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 2018, as the defensive back had 84 tackles, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, a sack and an interception.

The Big Ten West is such a volatile division that nearly anyone can win it (see: Northwestern in 2018). Iowa is a contender because of defensive end A.J. Epenesa. Quite simply, this guy gets to the quarterback. He is tall (6-foot-6) and fast and had 10.5 sacks last year for the Hawkeyes in a somewhat limited role. He should be an even bigger factor in 2019 with his ability to disrupt passing plays and his effectiveness against the run. 

How can you "know" like Paddy Fisher does? He is a linebacker who is just everywhere. If there is a tackle, he seems to be in on it. He loves to stick his nose in the action and was an important reason that the Wildcats played in the Big Ten championship game. Tough, tough player. 

Fotu is a massive load in the middle of Utah's defensive line and a reason why the Utes were a defensive force in 2018. His size and skill helped the Utes become one of the best at limiting yards per rush between the tackles last season — which propelled Utah to the Pac-12 championship game. With the Pac-12 South division filled with programs facing lot of challenges heading into the season, Fotu looks to keep the pressure on their backfields in 2019.

Gross-Matos is a menace. He is great at overpowering blockers and lives in offensive backfields. He had 20 tackles for loss in 2018 and could be a high first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Penn State is stacked defensively, and this unit (Gross-Matos alongside Mitch Parsons and Shaka Toney) could be the best in the nation. 

Hall had a sensational junior season. He led the nation with 24 passes defended and established himself as one of the top safeties in college football. The ACC's Coastal Division is completely up in the air, and the Cavaliers were right in the thick of the race last year. Hall makes offensive coordinators stay up a bit later than usual, and he will be a major reason why Virginia could reach the ACC championship game. 

Florida wins with its defense, and Henderson is a major cog in that. He is a shutdown corner who also can help stuff the run, and he impacts all facets of defense. He had 38 tackles, two interceptions, three sacks, five tackles for loss and forced two fumbles in 2018.

Hudson plays the Wolverines' vaunted "Viper" role as a hybrid safety and linebacker. The position calls for the player to roam between the second and third levels of the defense and make plays all over the field. With Devin Bush now in the NFL, Hudson will be relied on to be the main defensive weapon for a Jim Harbaugh team that thrives on aggressive defense. Michigan has a great shot to finally break through and win its first Big Ten championship since 2004.

Alabama usually oozes great defensive players, and 2019 will be another year of that. Moses will be the leader of that defense as he steps into the role of middle linebacker. He has outstanding range for a linebacker and stuffs holes nicely; a smart player who has great instincts. He was a second-team All-American in 2018 and will definitely be in the hunt for first-team honors in 2019.

Yes, another Oklahoma Sooner named "K. Murray" will have a great season. It won't be Kyler this time, but Kenneth. Kenneth Murray led Oklahoma with 155 tackles by flying around the field and getting his nose in on as many plays as he could. Now, the Sooners haven't been known for their defense in recent years, and that has cost them dearly in the College Football Playoff. Murray will be a huge reason if new defensive coordinator Alex Grinch turns this around. 

Okwara disrupts backfields. He reads plays well and finds ways to get to the ball-carrier whether it is stuffing him at the line or chasing him down. He is outstanding at shedding blockers and gifted at making quarterbacks uncomfortable in the pocket. The Irish lost a lot of their front seven and need Okwara to perform at a high level if they wish to get back to the College Football Playoff.

Miami is built on defense, and new head coach Manny Diaz relies on Quarterman in a variety of ways. The All-ACC linebacker is used in coverage schemes and to plug up the running lanes, though he excels at blitzing the quarterback. He is outstanding at finding space to get into the backfield and either pressures the quarterback or makes a negative play on a running back. He's the on-field coach of the 'Canes opportunistic defense.

Rice suffered through a season of injuries in 2018 yet was still a major factor for Georgia. The Bulldogs have lost a lot of great defensive players over the last couple of years, so Rice will need to avoid missing time and reaching his — and the team's — full potential. He is a versatile defender who can be plugged into a variety of positions, and he strives to be a leader. Kirby Smart loves his defenses to be punishing, and Rice will be a major part of that effort.

Simmons, like Michigan's Khaleke Hudson, plays as a sort of hybrid safety and linebacker. Last season was his first as a full-time linebacker, and he slid into the role perfectly. He recorded 88 tackles, nine of them for a loss, and two sacks. With his safety abilities, he's also great in coverage. Clemson's defense is transitioning after losing its ridiculously talented defensive line, and Simmons' versatility is paramount to another ACC title and trip to the College Football Playoff. 

In the Big 12, you are going to face some high-octane passing attacks, and Sterns is one of the most effective safeties in the conference. Considered one of the more fearless players in the nation, Sterns picked off four passes in 2018. NFL scouts love him, and he will be a major part of the Longhorns Big 12 title hopes.

Thomas is important not just of because of who is it but also because of whom he is replacing. Austin Bryant and  Clelin Ferrell  were fixtures on the Tigers defensive line (and opposing offenses' backfields) but will be suiting up in the NFL next season. Thomas steps into some big shoes...but ones he is built to fill. Even playing behind that ridiculously talented Clemson front four, Thomas still recorded 10.5 tackles for loss. Thomas should plug right in and continue the program's defensive line dominance. 

Last year the Buckeyes defense didn't play as well as it should have with the talent it put on the field. The 2019 version looks to get back to that tough-minded defense, and Young will be at the forefront. Young makes plays — he had 10 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss last season. NFL scouts are salivating over him as they have over previous Buckeye D-linemen. 

Weaver finished second nationally in tackles with 159 in 2018. Weaver used his experience as a defensive end to be a run stuffing linebacker and a menace around the line of scrimmage. If he can improve his effectiveness in coverage, then Cal could be a factor in the Pac-12 North. 

Willekes is a fifth-year senior who was originally a walk-on for the Spartans. Now he's one of the best pass rushers in college football. He may get off to a slow start, as he is coming back from a broken leg he suffered during the Redbox Bowl last December. When he does get back to playing, no one will work harder to give his team a shot at winning.