The SEC returns some outstanding talent along the defensive fronts around the league.

Let’s take a look at the career stats for the SEC’s top returning pass rushers.

Player G Sacks Tackles Tackles for Loss
Myles Garrett 12 11.5 53 14.0
Curt Maggitt 33 13.5 134 25.5
Derek Barnett 13 10.0 72 20.5
Marquis Haynes 13 7.5 31 9
Leonard Floyd 25 12.5 110 18
Alex Mccalister 12 6.0 25 8
Jordan Jenkins 40 15.0 146 29.5
Jonathan Allen 26 5.5 47 14
Lorenzo Carter 13 4.5 41 7
Carl Lawson 14 4.0 20 7.5
Robert Nkemdiche 24 4.0 69 12

If you like defense, you could do worse than watch Georgia and Tennessee this season. Freshman sensation Derek Barnett enters his sophomore season with some impressive statistics in tow. Barnett has an incredible .77 sacks per game, 1.58 tackles for loss per game and 5.5 tackles per game.

Can defense lead the East back to a legitimate competitive balance between the two divisions?