For this edition of SEC Debate, the SDS staff considers who has been the most impressive player on the defensive side of the ball through the first third of the season.

WHO HAS BEEN THE MOST IMPRESSIVE INDIVIDUAL DEFENSIVE PLAYER IN THE SEC SO FAR?

Brad Crawford (@BCrawfordSDS): Preston Smith, Mississippi State

We knew about Chris Jones and Benardrick McKinney, but this guy has taken the SEC by storm as the Bulldogs’ best defensive player on his side of the football. He has blocked two field goals, returned an interception for a touchdown and leads his team with three sacks. Mississippi State is one of college football’s most underrated teams, but not much longer afterSaturday’s drubbing of LSU.

Christopher Walsh (@CrimsonWalsh): Landon Collins, Alabama

If for no other reason ,you have to consider Alabama junior safety Landon Collins for being the best player on the SEC’s best defense, and he’s also second in league tackles. But when he has a game like against Florida you can only conclude that he’s going to be the Crimson Tide’s next big-time safety in the NFL. In addition to making a terrific one-handed interception, he might have had the tackle of the game as well. After Alabama’s 16-play touchdown drive to go ahead 28-21 in the third quarter, Florida desperately needed to both answer and give its defense a chance to recover. On third-and-2 at their own 43 the Gators handed off to Matt Jones, only Collins timed the snap perfectly, shot across the line and caught the big running back from behind for no gain. Following the three-and-out the Crimson Tide subsequently drove 80 yards to essentially put the game away.

Jon Cooper (@JonSDS): Landon Collins, Alabama

Although Missouri’s Shane Ray may be the most talented overall defender this season, nobody has played bigger than Landon Collins. Collins recorded a pick against West Virginia, and he’s leading the team with 32 tackles, good for second-most in the SEC. Alabama’s weakest aspect is the secondary, and Collins is the glue holding that unit together. The sure tackler is on his way to millions as a first-round NFL pick, and he’s the most impactful defender through four weeks of the season.

Ethan Levine (@EthanLevineSDS): Preston Smith, Mississippi State

The SEC’s most impactful defensive player this season has to be Mississippi State defensive end Preston Smith. The senior was named the SEC’s Defensive Lineman of the Week for each of the first three weeks of the season (the first time that has happened in SEC history), and has made at least one game-changing play in every one of the Bulldogs’ wins in a 4-0 start to the year. He’s pulled two interceptions (returning one 21 yards for a touchdown), making him one of only seven players in the SEC with multiple interceptions so far this season. He’s blocked two field goals, something 111 entire FBS teams haven’t done through four weeks. Smith is sixth in the SEC with three sacks, and has also forced a fumble on a strip-sack to round out an impressive opening-third of the season. Every time he makes a play, it winds up elevating the Mississippi State defense and changing the course of a game, making Smith far and away the most impactful defensive player in the SEC through the first four weeks of the 2014 season.

Brett Weisband (@WeisbandSDS): Preston Smith, Mississippi State

The Bulldogs’ senior anchor has been bullying offensive lineman all season, and he showed against LSU it wasn’t just Mississippi State’s schedule that was allowing him to do that. He picked up a huge sack to end a Tigers’ drive in the second quarter, and sucked up attention from LSU’s line all night. Smith hasn’t just been the most impressive, but also one of the most well-rounded defensive linemen in the conference. His two blocked kicks in four weeks are remarkable, considering he didn’t have any in his first three years. Smith has 14 tackles and 3 sacks, making an impact against both the run and the pass. He’s even forcing turnovers on top of that, with as many picks as the rest of the defensive linemen in the SEC combined (2 INTs), taking one of them for a score. Even better, the attention he’s receiving from opposing offenses is allowing MSU defensive studs Chris Jones (2 sacks) and Benardrick McKinney (27 tackles, 2 sacks) to thrive as well.

Drew Laing (@DLaingSDS): Preston Smith, Mississippi State

I think this is a pretty obvious answer considering he’s won three (possibly four) consecutive Defensive Lineman of the Week honors and has been the anchor for a stifling Mississippi State defensive line. If Dak Prescott is the leader for MSU’s offense, Smith has been that same guy for the defense. In just four games, he’s already accumulated three sacks, five tackles for loss, 14 tackles and two interceptions. He’s easily been the most impressive defensive player for me and one of Mississippi State’s most impactful players through the first four weeks of the season.

Jason Hall (@JasonHallSDS): A.J. Johnson, Tennessee

As a four-year starter, Johnson has enjoyed stellar individual success on some of Tennessee’s worst defenses. This season, Johnson is the veteran presence on a young, but talented defense. Opting to return for his senior season, Johnson leads the SEC in tackles and wills a Tennessee group that has forced opponents to a 25 percent third down conversion rate. He has picked up the slack for an inexperienced defensive line and helped in the progression of sophomore outside linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin.

Jordan Cox (@Jordan_Cox): Shane Ray and Markus Golden, Missouri

I think you’d have to say either Shane Ray or Markus Golden of Missouri. Those two have terrorized opposing quarterbacks and backfields through the first four weeks of the season, and we saw on Saturday what can happen to the Mizzou pass rush when one of them is missing. I can’t think of any other player who leaves as big a hole when they leave the field as either of those two guys.

Christopher Smith (@csmithSDS): Preston Smith, Mississippi State

Tennessee LB A.J. Johnson shouldn’t be ignored on a bad Tennessee team and Missouri has the most impactful tandem in DEs Markus Golden and Shane Ray, and Bulldogs teammate Benardrick McKinney may be the best NFL prospect, but Smith is the most impactful individual defensive player through four weeks. He’s been disruptive in every way possible, including in State’s upset win at Tiger Stadium. Smith has three sacks, two interceptions, five tackles for loss, three passes defended, one pass breakup and one touchdown. Oh, I almost forgot, he’s the first player in conference history to win SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week for three consecutive weeks.