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Who made the SEC’s ‘Dozen Sack Club’ in the last decade?
By John Brasier
Published:
Although the SEC is considered a prime producer of NFL defensive linemen and linebackers, only seven defenders from conference members have reached the exclusive “Dozen Sack Club” in a single season since 2006.
Hurry-up spread offenses with short passing attacks have made it increasingly hard to get to the quarterback.
But the most effective defense against high-powered passing attacks remains a strong pass rush. Five of the six players (Von Miller played at Texas A&M before the Aggies were members of the SEC) earned their club membership while playing on a division championship team.
Below is the list of a select group of defenders at SEC schools who have made at least a dozen sacks in a single season in the last decade:
1. Von Miller, Texas A&M, 17 (2009) — No, the Aggies weren’t in the SEC when Miller racked up 17 sacks. Nonetheless, he leads the list. Early in the 2015 season, Miller reached 50 career NFL sacks to become the third-fastest player to reach that milestone behind only Reggie White and Derek Thomas.
2. Jarvis Jones, Georgia, 14.5 (2012), 13.5 (2011) — The only player to reach a dozen sacks in more than one season over the last decade, Jones started 15 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015 and had 2 sacks.
(tie) Shane Ray, Missouri, 14.5 (2014) — A major reason why the Tigers won back-to-back SEC East titles, Ray made 4 sacks as a reserve linebacker in his rookie season with the Denver Broncos.
4. Jamaal Anderson, Arkansas, 13.5 (2006) — The 6-foot-6 former high school receiver had 7.5 sacks in a six-year NFL career with Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago.
5. Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina, 13 (2012) — The most dominant defender in college football with the Gamecocks, Clowney had 4.5 sacks in 2015 for the Houston Texans while battling injuries.
6. Jonathan Allen, Alabama, 12 (2015) — The leader in sacks and tackles for loss on a national championship team, Allen decided to return to Alabama for his senior season. Allen also forced 2 fumbles and picked up 6 quarterback hurries and broke up 4 passes as a junior.
(tie) Nick Fairley, Auburn, 12 (2010) — The Lombardi Award winner, coached by former Lombardi winner Tracy Rocker at Auburn, was the dominant defensive player on a national championship team led by Cam Newton. Playing for the St. Louis Rams this season, Fairley had a personal-best 6 sacks in 2013 with the Detroit Lions.
