Gene Chizik names top best defensive units in the SEC for 2021

Experts across the country love to give their analysis on who has the best at each different position in the college football landscape. Earlier in the week, SEC Network’s Gene Chizik gave his take on the best defensive units in the SEC, coming into the 2021 season.

Which units does he think will dominate on the defensive end this fall? Here are his quotes below transcribed from the SEC Network.

Defensive line: Georgia

“Georgia, man. Start in the middle of the defense. You’ve got Jordan Davis. He’s 6-foot-5. They say he’s 340. He’s gotta be 360. This guy is a straight MAN,” Chizik said. “But you know what, it’s not just him. Julian Rochester decided to come back. Devonte Wyatt decided to come back. Travon Walker. Jalen Carter, who was a five-star guy. They expect him to come on. But what this defensive line is–athletic. They’re large, they can run, and you can move them up and down the line of scrimmage. They can play several different positions–best in the league.”

Facts about the unit: Jordan Davis has landed on the Phil Steele preseason first team All-American list. He’s one of the biggest defensive lineman in the country. Julian Rochester is 300 pounds. Devonte Wyatt is 315 pounds. Jalen Carter is 310 pounds. So yes, Georgia has tons of beef up front. Good luck getting past this front.

Linebackers: Alabama

“Well, let me tell you what, Nick Saban may have the best group of linebackers he’s ever had” Chizik said. “It is saying something. But when you sit there and look at Will Anderson, Jr. This guy’s been a blur since his freshman year. He’s relentless on rushing the quarterback. He’s relentless on tracking down the football. What about Christian Harris in the middle of the defense?! Third-year starter, right?! He goes side to side. He’s physical. He’s fast. He can blitz the quarterback. Now I haven’t even mentioned that he got a transfer by the name of Henry To’o To’o.”

Facts about the unit: Henry To’o To’o was one of the top five linebacker recruits in America coming out of high school. He’s lived up to his lofty billing and then some. He’s going to be a real problem for the SEC.

Defensive backs: Texas A&M

“I’m going with Texas A&M,” Chizik said. “I’m gonna tell you why. They return virtually every single guy back there. You talk about corners. You know, maybe they don’t have the caliber of corners that LSU has, but they have two dudes that happen to have the same last name–Jones. Jaylon Jones is a 6-foot-2 corner. Myles Jones who’s a 6-foot-4 corner. So they’ve got guys on the perimeter. Demani Richardson–he’s been playing and starting since his freshman year. They’ve got their complete and entire secondary back.”

Facts about the unit: Jaylon Jones was named an Under Armour All-American back in 2020. Myles Jones is 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, an unheard of height for a defensive back.