15 defensive spring practice standouts you need to know

Spring football around the country is coming to a close.

Six FBS spring games will be played this weekend. Then, that’s it for spring football.

That makes this a good time to take a look at players who had breakthrough or especially impressive showings throughout the spring. After polling team sources around the country, here are 15 such players on defense (listed alphabetically). We posted 10 offensive players Monday.

Kentucky junior defensive back Zion Childress

Childress, a former Texas State transfer, has become a leader in Kentucky’s secondary heading into his second season with the Wildcats. Childress, who recorded 34 tackles last year, is regarded as a highly intelligent and hard-working player whose preparation and work behind the scenes is on an “elite level.” “He’s a guy that people saw a little bit of last year but has really taken a big jump,” a source said.

USC freshman linebacker Tackett Curtis

Curtis is among the USC freshmen with a chance to make an immediate impact. There was a consistent internal buzz about Curtis throughout the spring. “He’s going to be a stud,” a source said. Curtis ranked as the 10th-best linebacker and 121st-best overall prospect in the 2023 recruiting class.

Penn State sophomore defensive lineman Dani Dennis-Sutton

After watching Dennis-Sutton during Penn State’s spring game, Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin summed up the performance by saying, “Dani was unblockable out there.” It was the latest of Dennis-Sutton flashing big-time ability during Penn State’s spring practice. He’ll be part of a highly talented group of defensive ends along with returning starters Adisa Isaac and Chop Robinson. “I think he’s gonna have a big year for us.” Franklin said after the spring game.

Alabama freshman defensive back Caleb Downs

In addition to the Alabama freshman who earned rave reviews throughout the spring on offense, running back Justice Haynes, there was one who garnered rave reviews throughout the spring on defense, too. It was Downs, a five-star recruit who ranked as the top safety and fifth-best overall prospect in the 2023 recruiting class. Downs closed out the spring with eight tackles and an interception in Alabama’s spring game. “He’s done great,” Tide head coach Nick Saban said recently of Downs. “He’s got lots of maturity for a young guy. He’s smart, understands football. Really conscientious about making sure he knows what to do and going out on the field and doing it. So he’s had a really good spring and really has added a lot to the secondary with the way he’s played. He’s a good player.”

Georgia sophomore defensive back Daylen Everette

Everette is among the promising young cornerbacks that generated internal buzz at Georgia this spring along with others like freshman A.J. Harris. Everette, a Class of 2022 top-35 recruit, is in contention to be a starter after accumulating 13 tackles as a backup and special teams contributor in his first year with the Bulldogs. “He’s a guy that’s played some in the past but this could be a big year for him,” a source said.

Ohio State sophomore defensive back Davison Igbinosun

The play of Igbinosun, an Ole Miss transfer, contributed to Ohio State head coach Ryan Day noting shortly before the end of Buckeyes spring practice that he’d been “very impressed” with Ohio State’s cornerback group. The 6-foot, 203-pound Igbinosun joined the Buckeyes after making 10 starts at Ole Miss last season as a freshman. ““He touched the ball a lot (during the spring) and made a lot of plays on the ball,” a source said.

Arkansas junior defensive lineman Landon Jackson

Jackson, who transferred to Arkansas from LSU last year, is primed for a breakthrough season after finishing with 23 tackles and three sacks last year in his first season with the Razorbacks. “He’s on a different level this year,” an Arkansas source said of the 6-foot-7, 270-pound Jackson. 

Miami junior linebacker Francisco Mauigoa

Five-star freshman offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa isn’t the only member of the Mauigoa family garnering strong feedback at Miami. So is his older brother, Francisco. Both are in position to be starters for the Hurricanes this season. Francisco was a starting linebacker at Washington State last year before transferring to Miami. He produced 60 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception that he returned 95 yards for a touchdown. “He’s just overall a really good player,” a source said. “High motor kid. Natural pass-rushing skills. And he’s more athletic than I think people would give him credit for.”

Michigan senior EDGE Braiden McGregor, sophomore EDGE Derrick Moore

McGregor and Moore were two of the more impressive Michigan defensive players during the spring to the point that one source predicted that both will be “household names” by the end of the season. The 6-foot-6, 260-pound McGregor made three starts last year and compiled 16 tackles, five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. Moore, a Class of 2022 top-40 recruit, had eight tackles and two sacks last season as a freshman. “Derrick Moore is a monster,” a source said. “His ceiling is first round.”

Texas junior defensive lineman Byron Murphy

Murphy appears set for a breakthrough year after contributing as a rotational piece for Texas the last two years. “He was dominant all spring,” a source said. Murphy played in all 25 games for the Longhorns the last two seasons with two starts and totals of 41 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. That includes 26 tackles and one sack last year.

Auburn defensive back Keionte Scott

Scott is on track to build on a 2022 season during which he posted 54 tackles and an interception as Auburn’s nickel back. The Tigers’ staff views him as a future NFL nickel back. “He may be the best player on the defense,” a source said.

California junior defensive back Nohl Williams

Williams, a transfer from UNLV, was a “stud” this spring for California. He was a three-year starter at cornerback for UNLV prior to transferring and earned honorable mention All-Mountain West recognition last season. He finished last year with 40 tackles and three interceptions. “He’s an NFL guy,” a source said.

Wisconsin junior defensive back Hunter Wohler

One source went as far as saying of Wohler, “He wasn’t an All-Big Ten player last year, but I’ll be shocked if he’s not this year.” Either way, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Wohler will be a big part of Wisconsin’s defense under new head coach Luke Fickell. Wohler was limited to six games and one start last year due to an injury. “He’s so fluid and he’s got some swag to him,” a source said.

Clemson freshman defensive lineman Peter Woods

Woods’ spring game production — seven tackles, a sack and a blocked kick — was yet another indicator that the five-star defensive lineman is ready to make a difference for Clemson as a freshman. “Peter Woods is a guy that is rare,” Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney said during the ACC Network broadcast of Clemson’s spring game. “He’s like a Halley’s Comet. Every now and then you get a guy that physically and mentally and maturity and all the intangibles, he’s just ready. Man, we’re blessed to have that young man in our program.” Woods ranked as the second-best defensive lineman and 19th-best overall prospect in the 2023 recruiting class according to the On3 Industry Ranking.