Top 5 defensive players to watch out for in 2024-25 Bowl season ft. Travis HunterÂ
With the Bowl season upon us, teams are preparing to finish their seasons on a high note. While offenses usually get the accolades, it's the defenses that often decide the national championship, as happened with Michigan a year ago.
So, as the old football adage says "defense travels". For teams still playing, strong defensive performances could make the difference.
Here are five defensive players to keep an eye on who could take over this Bowl season.
Top 5 defensive players to watch out for in 2024-25 Bowl season
#5. Jihaad Campbell, Linebacker, Alabama Crimson Tide
Campbell was a tackling machine for Alabama in 2024. He led the Crimson Tide with 108 tackles and five sacks. He added one interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Despite the Crimson Tide missing the CFP, the linebacker is a name to watch this Bowl season.
The linebacker had 12 tackles in four different games during the season, and with the Michigan Wolverines relying so much on their running game, he will be a player to watch in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
#4. Donovan Ezeiraku, Defensive End, Boston College
Ezeiraku was a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award and one of the best defensive linemen in the nation. The senior defensive end finished second in sacks, with 16.5, just half a sack behind Marshall's Mike Green.
He also finished with a career-high 80 tackles. he accounted for 10 tackles and 3.5 sacks in the season finale versus Pittsburgh. Ezeiraku will try to wreak havoc against Dylan Raiola and the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Pinstripe Bowl.
#3. Malaki Starks, Safety, Georgia Bulldogs
Starks was a Thorpe Award finalist and one of the most dominant safeties in the nation. He finished the season with 73 tackles and an interception.
The senior racked up 18 combined tackles in his last two games, including an eight-tackle performance in the SEC Championship game.
With the Bulldogs' offense going hot and cold during the year, it might be up to the defense to carry them in the bowl season. Georgia will be playing in the Sugar Bowl against the winner of the Indiana versus Notre Dame game.
#2. Jahdae Barron, Cornerback, Texas Longhorns
Despite Travis Hunter's snub as a finalist at least, Jahdae Barron deserved consideration for the Thorpe Award. He finished just behind Hunter in Pro Football Focus analysis, with a 90.3 grade, and was also an integral part of the Longhorns' third-ranked defense.
Barron finished the year with 47 tackles, five interceptions, and a sack. After losing the SEC Championship Game, the Longhorns will have to take the long way in the College Football Playoff, facing Clemson in the first round. In case they win, the Longhorns will travel to the Peach Bowl, where they will play Arizona State.
#1. Travis Hunter, Cornerback, Colorado Buffaloes
Who else could claim the top spot in this bowl season? Travis Hunter won the Heisman and Bednarik awards and was a force in the secondary all season long. He finished the regular season with 32 tackles, 11 passes defended and four interceptions.
Hunter got the third highest grade in coverage according to Pro Football Focus (90.9). He will likely be playing his final college game in the Alamo Bowl, where the Colorado Buffaloes will face the BYU Cougars. Hunter already said he plans to declare for the 2025 NFL draft.
Which defensive players are you most looking forward to seeing in action this Bowl season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.