20 lesser-hyped defensive newcomers on track to be impact players

Through winter workouts and this portion of spring practices, teams already have been able to identify some defensive newcomers in position to be impact players this season.

And it’s not just limited to top recruits or high-profile transfers.

After compiling feedback from around the country, here are 20 lesser-hyped defensive newcomers who coaches and support staffers view as being on track to be impact players this season. They’re listed alphabetically.

We looked at 20 offensive guys Monday.

USC linebacker Mason Cobb
Previous school: Oklahoma State
Cobb broke out at Oklahoma State last season after two years as a backup, earning second-team All-Big 12 recognition. He racked up 96 tackles and ranked second in the Big 12 in tackles for loss (1.08 per game).

Washington cornerback Thaddeus Dixon
Previous school: Long Beach (Calif.) City College
Dixon, a three-star recruit, was the No. 10 junior college cornerback and No. 66 JUCO player overall in the 2023 recruiting class in to the On3 Industry Ranking. He had 43 tackles and three interceptions at Long Beach CC last season.

Oklahoma cornerback Kendel Dolby
Previous school: Northeastern Oklahoma A&M
Dolby, a four-star recruit, was the No. 2 JUCO cornerback and No. 7 JUCO prospect in the 2023 recruiting class in the On3 Industry Ranking. He had 68 tackles, two interceptions and eight pass breakups in two seasons at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.

Louisville cornerback Marquis Groves-Killebrew
Previous school: Texas A&M
Groves-Killebrew was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2022, and ranked 125th overall in the class in the On3 Industry Ranking. He played in two games and posted two tackles as a freshman at Texas A&M last fall.

Houston defensive back Isaiah Hamilton
Previous school: Texas Southern
Hamilton recorded five interceptions at FCS member Texas Southern last season, including two he returned for touchdowns.

Florida defensive lineman Cam’Ron Jackson
Previous school: Memphis
Jackson, listed at 6 feet 6 and 355 pounds, was a starter for Memphis last season and posted 41 tackles.

Florida State defensive tackle Darrell Jackson
Previous school: Miami
Jackson began his college career at Maryland before transferring to Miami, where he was a starter for the Hurricanes last season. He had 27 tackles and three sacks for the Hurricanes before transferring to be closer to home; he is from Havana, Fla., about 30 miles from Tallahassee.

Arkansas defensive end Trajan Jeffcoat
Previous school: Missouri
Jeffcoat was a starter at Missouri in each of the past three seasons. He had six sacks in 2020, but just 4.5 total the past two seasons.

Alabama linebacker Justin Jefferson
Previous school: Pearl River (Miss.) CC
Jefferson was the top JUCO linebacker and the No. 2 JUCO prospect in the 2023 recruiting class in the On3 Industry Ranking. He had 86 tackles, two sacks and an interception last season at Pearl River.

Missouri defensive back Tre’Vez Johnson
Previous school: Florida
Johnson made 16 starts at Florida the past two seasons, including nine last season. He had 26 tackles and an interception in 2022.

Auburn cornerback Kayin Lee
Previous school: Cedar Grove (Ga.) High
Lee, a four-star recruit, was the No. 13 cornerback and No. 126 overall prospect in the 2023 recruiting class in the On3 Industry Ranking.

Texas Tech outside linebacker Steve Linton
Previous school: Syracuse
Linton had 22 tackles, six tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks for Syracuse last season.

Georgia Tech linebacker Braelen Oliver
Previous school: Minnesota
Oliver, an Atlanta-area native, made 17 starts the past two seasons at Minnesota, including 10 last season. He had 33 tackles in 2022.

Tennessee linebacker Keenan Pili
Previous school: BYU
Pili was a team captain at BYU in both 2021 and ’22. After missing most of 2021 with an injury, Pili made 62 tackles for the Cougars last season.

Ole Miss defensive back John Saunders
Previous school: Miami (Ohio)
Saunders was a third-team All-MAC selection at cornerback last season. He finished the year with 52 tackles and two interceptions.

Kansas State defensive back Marques Sigle
Previous school: North Dakota State
Sigle tallied 27 tackles, two interceptions and five pass breakups last season at FCS member North Dakota State. Eleven of his tackles came on kickoffs.

Baylor linebacker Mike Smith
Previous school: Liberty
Smith led Liberty with 85 tackles last season. He also had 10 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and an interception.

LSU linebacker Omar Speights
Previous school: Oregon State
Speights, a starter for Oregon State each of the past four seasons, was a first-team All-Pac 12 selection last season. He led the Beavers with 83 tackles in 2022.

Arkansas defensive back Al Walcott
Previous school: Baylor
Walcott, a starter at corner for Baylor the past two seasons, was a second-team All-Big 12 selection last season. He finished 2022 with 82 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two sacks and an interception.

Cincinnati defensive back Jordan Young
Previous school: Florida
Young had 10 tackles and a blocked kick for Florida last season after redshirting in 2021.