Top 5 defensive units in SEC entering 2024 season ft. Georgia
The new-look SEC should be something to behold in 2024. Take a conference that has already dominated the College Football Playoff and add a pair of additional powerhouses in Texas and Oklahoma and the SEC should see plenty of fireworks next season. But how about defense? The SEC's calling card should be solid this year, with several top groups.
Here's an early projection of the top five SEC defenses in 2024.
Top 5 SEC defenses in 2024
#5. Kentucky
Mark Stoops's Wildcats return a ton of talent and are always competitive defensively. UK struggled a bit last season, allowing 25.8 ppg. But in three of the last six seasons, the Wildcats have held opponents under 20 ppg. Similarly, in four of those six seasons, they held foes under 350 yards per game. Kentucky returns nine defensive starters and should be strong in 2024.
Up front, Deone Walker is a likely NFL first-round pick. Georgia transfer Jamon Dumas-Johnson should step right in at a linebacker spot while cornerback Maxwell Hairston is one of the underrated secondary players of the SEC.
#4. Oklahoma
The Sooners were awful defensively in Brett Venables' first season in 2022 but showed massive improvement last year. OU allowed just 23.5 ppg and went +6 on turnover margin. Venables is a strong defensive coach and he has assembled a significant amount of talent for the Sooners' first foray into the SEC.
Up front, a wealth of transfer stands out, but linebacker Danny Stutsman is a game-changer in the middle of the Oklahoma defense. Add in safety Billy Bowman who has all-conference-level talent and one can get an idea of why OU could be special on defense.
#3. Alabama
The Crimson Tide are always ferocious on defense and even the loss of head coach Nick Saban shouldn't change that much. In six of the last seven seasons, Alabama held foes under 20 ppg (in the other season, they allowed 20.1 ppg). Last year, the Tide allowed 19 ppg and 316 yards per game while going +8 on turnover margin.
Alabama does have to replace a lot of talent, but the cupboard is hardly bare for the Tide. Tim Smith is a steadying presence up front while linebacker Deontae Lawson is one of the best in the league at his position and safety Malachi Moore is a steady veteran presence that will help a fairly young secondary.
#2. Texas
Texas had floundered on defense in recent seasons. But Steve Sarkisian and coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski have slowly moved it in the right direction. The Longhorns allowed just 18.9 ppg and 337 yards per game last year, each the lowest total Texas has allowed over the past seven seasons.
Ethan Burke and transfer Trey Moore should be tough up front. Texas' linebacking corps includes standouts Anthony Hill and Jahdae Barron, the team's second and third leading tacklers last year. Meanwhile, sophomore Derek Williams is one of few returnees in the secondary, but he's a talented athlete.
#1. Georgia
In 2016, back in Kirby Smart's first season as head coach, Georgia allowed 24 ppg and 327 yards per game. Since then, the Bulldogs haven't topped 20 ppg or 321 ypg. Last year, Georgia held foes to 15.6 ppg and 289 ypg. That's three straight seasons of sub-300 yards per game allowed.
Georgia lost a ton of talent, but also returns a ton. Up front, junior Mykel Williams is prepared to explode while Smael Mondon Jr. was the No. 2 tackler last year and should shine at linebacker. Malaki Starks is an outstanding safety and will lead a pass defense that allowed just 175 yards per game in 2023.
Which SEC defenses are you excited to see in 2024? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.