1. South Carolina
The Gamecocks boasted the No. 2 pass defense in the Southeastern Conference last year, but the unit should be tops in the SEC in 2010. Former blue-chip recruit Stephon Gilmore lived up to the hype his true-freshman season, and will soon be a household name for college football fans.
2. Florida:
Former Gator Joe Haden was the first corner taken in April’s NFL draft, but the loss of Haden to the pros is partially offset by coach Urban Meyer’s penchant for stockpiling SEC-ready talent. Ahmad Black and Will Hill are the top safeties on the team, but don’t be surprised if true freshman safety Matt Elam earns some playing time.
3. Vanderbilt:
The secondary was one of the lone bright spots for last year’s 2-10 Commodores. Vandy has a pair of veterans in senior corner Casey Hayward and senior strong safety Sean Richardson.
The loss of cornerback Myron Lewis to the NFL hurts, but there shouldn’t be much regression with a secondary full of Bobby Johnson’s signature assignment football players.
4. Alabama:
Strong safety Mark Barron is the only member of the secondary returning for the reigning national champions. The Crimson Tide had three corners drafted to the NFL, but super recruit Dre Kirkpatrick should fill in admirably at one of the cornerback spots.
5. Tennessee:
Eric Berry rocked the worlds of SEC offenses during his three seasons in Knoxville, and his early departure to the NFL means less big plays on defense.
Strong safety Janzen Jackson earned a starting position as a true freshman, but must learn to keep out of trouble – i.e. not getting arrested for attempted armed robbery.
6. Kentucky:
The Wildcats had a decent pass defense thanks to cornerback Trevard Lindley, one of Kentucky’s all-time greats at the position. Corner Randall Burden will be counted on to help alleviate Lindley’s departure.
7. Ole Miss:
The Rebels should be concerned about losing threefourths of a secondary that finished a mediocre sixth in the SEC against the pass in 2009.
The corners have little experience and junior college transfer free safety Damien Jackson has yet to take a snap in the SEC.
Secondary coach Chris Vaughn has to hope the front seven can pick up the slack.
8. Auburn:
Three starters return to an Auburn secondary that ranked in the lower fourth of SEC pass defenses in 2009. Cornerback Neiko Thorpe and safety Daren Bates were two of Auburn’s top tacklers last year.
9. LSU:
The Tigers had an underachieving pass defense last year despite stars Patrick Peterson and Chad Jones. Peterson is the best corner in the league now that Haden is gone from Florida, but Jones’ departure to the NFL doesn’t help last season’s No. 8 ranked SEC pass defense.
10. Georgia:
New defensive coordinator Todd Grantham is charged at revitalizing a once proud Georgia defense. Corner Brandon Boykin may be the key to improving last year’s No. 9 pass defense in the league.
11. Mississippi State:
The Bulldogs have a young star in cornerback Corey Broomfield, who had six interceptions in 2009. Broomfield and safety Charles Mitchell are the keys to Mississippi State improving last year’s No. 11 pass defense in the SEC.
12. Arkansas:
The Razorbacks finished last in the SEC in pass defense in 2009. Although former starting cornerback Isaac Mason returns from an ACL injury, this should still be the Achilles heel for a team with high expectations.