We are less than a month until the 2024 college football season officially kicks off. With the new 12-team playoff format set to begin this fall, this promises to be a season to remember. We are also in the middle of the transfer portal era, with so much movement happening every offseason.
Unlike some years in the past, this feels like it could be a defensive heavy season, with a lot of talent on that side of the football returning. While taking a look at all that talent, putting together an ultimate defensive squad is a fun assignment. If you missed the offense, you are also in luck. Here are the top position groups to watch in college football this season on defense.
This group has been one of the more heated debates. Schools like Ohio State, Miami, and Georgia certainly deserve mention. Even the new look Ole Miss defensive line is very talented. When you look at the dominance that the Wolverines bring back, it’s hard to argue against.
Michigan brings back the best interior defensive line group in all of college football in 2024 with Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant. Graham is especially special, currently being mocked in the top ten of the 2025 NFL Draft in early mock drafts. While Grant is not near the consistency of Graham, he may even be more physically gifted. At 6-3 and 339 pounds, he is a massive young man who has some rare movement skills for that size.
On the edge, the Wolverines also bring back Josaiah Stewart and Derrick Moore. While neither player gets a ton of attention, both were very productive in rotational roles last season. The duo combined for 72 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and 10.5 sacks last season. With added opportunities, those numbers should balloon.
There really isn’t a linebacker room returning that stands considerably above the others. I’m also not going to cheat and include 3-4 outside linebackers on this list. This is a true off-ball linebacker conversation. In the end, Georgia does bring back a strong position group.
The headliner of the group is Smael Mondon, who enters his third year of substantial playing time for the Bulldogs. He will be joined inside by sophomore CJ Allen, who was so good as a freshman last fall that he was able to eat into Jamon Dumas-Johnson’s playing time, forcing him to transfer to Kentucky.
Outside of that, Georgia also has Jalon Walker, who can move around and do a lot for the Bulldogs defense. He is even athletic enough to rush the passer in obvious passing situations. Sophomore Raylen Wilson is also a talented young player to keep a close eye on.
There are some other schools like Notre Dame who are bringing back very strong secondaries. The amount of talent that the Buckeyes are bringing back in the secondary, however, is almost unbelievable.
If it was just about the Buckeyes who returned, it would be impressive. Star cornerback Denzel Burke is back in 2024, as is his counterpart Davison Igbinosun and Jordan Hancock in the nickel. There isn’t a stronger cornerback room in college football right now, each of them holding top 100 grades from the NFL this preseason.
At safety, you also return Latham Ransom, who is coming off of an injury riddled 2023 campaign. When healthy, he is one of the best safeties in college football. As is Alabama transfer Caleb Downs, who is entering his first season in Columbus. Downs is on the short list of elite defenders in America after his Freshman All-American campaign.
On paper, there isn’t a weakness in this secondary. Good luck to opposing quarterbacks and pass catchers this fall.
Most Popular
Comments / 0