The SEC is the best conference in college football annually, and it should improve in 2024 following the additions of Texas and Oklahoma. Sixteen programs are now contending for SEC Championship glory. The conference is littered with blue-chip defensive talents.
With SEC media days in Dallas from July 15-18, we've identified the 10 defensive talents with the most upside to produce this campaign. Several future first-round picks are present.
Harold Perkins Jr., EDGE, LSU
Harold Perkins Jr. exploded in 2022 as arguably the top true freshman defender in LSU history. The Louisiana native recorded 7.5 sacks as a first-year contributor. The versatile Perkins, who aligned everywhere in 2023 from stack linebacker to carrying slot receivers vertically as a nickel, followed that up with a 5.5 sack showing this past season.
Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
Deone Walker is a dominant interior defensive lineman who blends size and strength with quickness. He was outstanding for the Wildcats in 2023, producing 7.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. A repeat performance could position Walker as the first defensive tackle drafted in 2025.
Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
An early non-quarterback favorite to be the No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, big things are expected of Georgia's Mykel Williams this season. Williams totaled 4.5 sacks in back-to-back seasons despite limited playing time. He possesses every tool required to develop into a premier edge rusher at the next level.
Malaki Starks, SAF, Georgia
If the impending campaign goes according to plan, Malaki Starks will be the top safety in the 2025 NFL Draft. There hasn't been a safety selected in the first round in consecutive drafts, but Starks could end that drought in 2025. The Georgia native possesses high-level instincts that led to 19 pass breakups and five interceptions across the previous two seasons.
Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
There's legitimate hype for Nic Scourton’s first campaign in the SEC after he transferred to Texas A&M from Purdue earlier this summer. Scourton was an absolute menace for the Boilermakers last season, accumulating 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss. If the SEC doesn't prove too big of a jump in competition, he'll garner top-32 interest this Fall.
Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
Walter Nolen was among the highest-rated prospects of his class when he joined Texas A&M. He's a strong and quick-footed defensive tackle who produced 8.5 tackles for loss for the Aggies in 2023. He's now at Ole Miss, where he'll continue utilizing his prototypical size and athleticism to terrorize opposing backfields.
James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
James Pearce Jr. is another edge defender who's garnering top-overall-pick hype. He came screaming off the line of scrimmage for the Volunteers last season to record 10 sacks and 14.5 tackles. Pearce Jr. pairs athleticism with fluid change of direction ability.
Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma
Danny Stutsman is today's linebacker. He racked up 16 tackles for loss in 2023, which tied for eighth most across the nation. Stutsman has been a tackling machine for the Sooners, totaling 230 tackles across the previous two campaigns. He's also an expert defender in coverage with legit three-down ability.
Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
Landon Jackson could have declared for the 2024 draft, but he ultimately decided to return to Arkansas for another season. He'll now attempt to build on a first-team All-SEC campaign that produced 6.5 sacks. Jackson is an advanced run defender who plays with a violent temperament.
Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
Princely Umanmielen transferred to Ole Miss from Florida earlier this summer. He recorded 11.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss for the Gators in 2022 and 2023. Umanmielen's first-step quickness and natural athleticism should eventually lead to him developing into a consistently productive edge defender at the next level.
