The Defense

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Defensive End - Greg Hardy, Mississippi

Hardy is a monster who is ready to terrorize the SEC in 2009. The inexperienced quarterbacks in the conference aren’t going to get a very warm welcome from this guy. Hardy hits harder than any heavyweight in the nation. Honorable Mention: George Selvie (South Florida), Jerry Hughes (TCU)

Defensive End - Carlos Dunlap, Florida

What do you get when you tell a 6′6″, 290lb animal he can make millions of dollars and a second consecutive national championship if he gets to the quarterback more than anyone else? You get an All-American season from a junior whose future is scary bright. Honorable Mention: Everson Griffen (USC), Greg Romeus (Pittsburgh)

D-Tackle - Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma

McCoy could have made millions by coming out last season as a redshirt sophomore but chose to return for another run at a championship. It’s going to pay off big time, especially when he cashes that first check from the NFL teams that take him in the top 5. Honorable Mention: Terrence Cody (Alabama), Jared Odrick (Penn State)

D-Tackle - Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska

2010 could be the year of the D-tackle in the NFL Draft. There’s so much depth at the position in the college game that some big time players are going to have to stay in school in order not to be overshadowed by the rest of their position-mates. Suh is the best one of the bunch, which says a lot. Honorable Mention: Marvin Austin (North Carolina), Arthur Jones (Syracuse)

Linebacker - Brandon Spikes, Florida

Spikes I going to how everyone why it was a smart decision to return to school. After tweaking the small things in his game that needed improvement, Spikes will be the leader of the best defense in the nation in 2009. Honorable Mention: Quan Sturdivant (North Carolina), Travis Lewis (Oklahoma)

Linebacker - Greg Jones, Michigan State

Michigan State’s defensive coordinator said Jones is pretty much a perfect player after learning how to become a better player in pass protection. Jones was a beast last season without the added film study, so we’re excited to see what Jones turns into in 2009. Honorable Mention: Sergio Kindle (Texas), Sean Weatherspoon (Missouri)

Linebacker - Rolando McClain, Alabama

McClain is a 6′4″, 260lb tackle machine that is going to track down the stars of the SEC from sideline to sideline all season long. Alabama’s second level of defense isn’t a very inviting place to enter with McClain roaming around. Honorable Mention: Rennie Curran (Georgia), Scott Lutrus (UConn)

Cornerback - Joe Haden, Florida

Haden is college football’s premier cornerback and could be a part of one of the best All-American defensive backfields in the history of college football. When we look back on the 2009 squad, it could be an eye opener. Honorable Mention: Syd’Quan Thompson (Cal), Trevard Lindley (Kentucky)

Cornerback - Janoris Jenkins, Florida

He’s the second best corner on his team but he’s good enough for any All-American team. He’ll get a chance to prove himself if teams try to stay away from Haden and it won’t be pretty…..for the other team! Honorable Mention: Patrick Robinson (FSU), Perrish Cox (Oklahoma State)

Strong Safety - Eric Berry, Tennessee

Berry is the most dangerous defensive playmaker in college football. When he picks the ball off and is in the open field, anything can happen. Hopefully teams keep throwing his way so we can keep being entertained. Honorable Mention: Darrell Stuckey (Kansas), Ahmad Black (Florida)

Free Safety - Taylor Mays, Southern California

Mays is a genetic freak. He’d be a good sized guy if he played linebacker but he also has the ability to read plays and fly around the defensive backfield with ease, which has to be in the nightmares of PAC-10 quarterbacks every Friday night. Honorable Mention: Morgan Burnett (Georgia Tech), Chad Jones (LSU)