Cole Cubelic's top five SEC defensive breakout players

ESPN’s Cole Cubelic predicted the top-5 defensive breakout players in the SEC conference to watch in the 2021 season. The list features Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Auburn and LSU.

MY top 5 SEC defensive breakout players for 2021: pic.twitter.com/LsIpxl7SYM

— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) August 13, 2021

1. Gervon Dexter

Cubelic named Florida defensive lineman Gervon Dexter as the top defensive breakout player in the 2021 season. Dexter was a 5-star coming out of Lake Wales High School (FL.) As a freshman, Dexter appeared in all 12 games and finished the season with 19 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss and one interception. Entering this season, Dexter is expected to lock down a starting role on the Gators defensive line. At 6-foot-6, Dexter is one of the most physically imposing linemen in the conference. As a senior in high school, Dexter had 103 tackles, 18 sacks, 35 tackles for loss, and seven forced fumbles.

2. Adam Anderson

Fourth-year Georgia outside linebacker Adam Anderson was highlighted as a breakout player as he steps into a starting role. Through three seasons, Anderson has seen action in 38 total games. Last season, Anderson played in a more extensive role in the linebacker rotation. He finished second on the team in quarterback pressures with 24. Heading into the fall, Anderson has been named to presason watch list for the Butkus Award, given annually to the nation’s top collegiate linebacker. Anderson was a 5-star prospect coming out of Rome (GA.) in the 2018 class. He finished with 63 tackles, 10 sacks, and two forced fumbles as a senior.

3. Tim Smith

Second-year Alabama defensive lineman Tim Smith was highlighted as a breakout player after a promising 2020 season. Smith came on strong in the back half of the season, working his way into the rotation. He finished with recorded 14 total tackles, including 2.5 for loss and one sack. He’s expected to see major time along the defensive line in 2021. Coming out of high school, Smith was a 4-star from Sebastian River High School (FL.). As a senior in high school, Smith recorded 62 tackles with 32 for loss and 10 sacks.

4. Joseph Evans

Third-year LSU defensive lineman Joseph Evans has moved around a lot in his time in Baton Rouge. After playing in four games at defensive line as a freshman, Evans was moved to offensive line briefly in last spring, before being moved back to defensive line in the fall. Evans played in just five games in 2020, recording 13 tackles and half a sack. Heading into 2021, Evans is named to the list of breakout players as he is expected to be part of the rotation at defensive line. As a recruit, Evans was a 3-star prospect. He was a three-year starter for Haynesville High School and played both offensive and defensive tackle throughout his career.

5. Donovan Kaufman

Auburn safety Donovan Kaufman rounds out the last of defensive breakout players for the SEC. Kaufman transferred to Auburn this offseason after spending his freshman year at Vanderbilt. The safety played in just two games in 2020 before suffering a season-ending injury against LSU. He was the starting safety and kick returner. Prior to the injury Kaufman led the team with 10 tackles and had a 58-yard kick return against LSU. In his two-game season, Kaufman finished with fifteen tackles and five kickoff returns for 137 yards. He announced his decision to transfer from Vanderbilt in this April and reunited with former Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason at Auburn, where Mason is now the defensive coordinator. Heading into this season, Kaufman is expected to start for the Tigers at the STAR position. Kaufman was a 3-star recruit from Archbishop Rummel (LA.). As a senior in high school, Kaufman recorded 99 tackles, six tackles for loss, four quarterback sacks, four interceptions and three fumble returns.