The SEC hasn’t had as many top-tier quarterbacks as conference’s like the Pac-12 or Big 12, but that has a lot to do with the quality of the defenses they face each week.
Specifically, the SEC has a slew of talented defensive backs protecting the throwing lanes, filling running lanes and making life miserable for offenses in general.
Even with LSU’s Jamal Adams and Tre’Davious White, Alabama’s Marlon Humphrey and Eddie Jackson, Florida’s Quincy Wilson and Jalen “Teez” Tabor and Texas A&M’s Justin Evans, among others, expected to hear their names called early in the 2017 NFL Draft, the SEC is still loaded with talented players in the secondary.
Therefore, the only difficulty in creating a perfect SEC defensive back for the 2017 season is narrowing the field. There are 20 qualified candidates, but here are the five players whose best attributes we’d use to create our ideal defender:
Speed: Tony Brown, Alabama
This one is a no-brainer, as Brown is an elite track athlete for the Crimson Tide in addition to being a valuable defensive back.
He’s been clocked at 4.34 seconds in the 40-yard dash and is an All-American hurdler. There aren’t many people on this planet who can outrun Brown, so using his raw speed for our defensive back is an easy call.
He’s still raw as a defender, but he has the speed necessary to correct any mistakes he makes on the field.
Size: Derrick Baity, Kentucky
At 6-3 and 182 pounds, Baity formed one half of Kentucky’s sizable cornerback rotation (returning corner Chris Westry is 6-4 and graduating J.D. Harmon is 6-2).
Westry had more hype entering 2016, but Baity made more plays in 2016. By having Baity’s size for our hypothetical perfect defensive back, it’ll ensure the defender can go head-to-head with some of the SEC’s larger receivers.
Leaping ability and the ability to reach the ball at its highest point are crucial for success in the secondary, and Baity’s ability to go toe-to-toe with anyone will be valuable.
Versatility: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
Fitzpatrick was the MVP of the Crimson Tide secondary in 2016, snagging an SEC-best six interceptions as a sophomore, including this pick against Florida in the SEC Championship Game:
Minkah Fitzpatrick scores #Alabama's 10th defensive touchdown of the season on a 44-yard interception return. #SECChamp25. @minkfitz_21 pic.twitter.com/LGMHCPhgQr
— Kyle Burger (@kyle_burger) December 3, 2016
He also displayed his versatility — and leadership — by willingly switching from corner to safety when Eddie Jackson was lost for the year with an injury, playing well in his new position.
This season, look for the Crimson Tide star to see time at both positions, and to perform well no matter where Alabama puts him.
Tackling: Mike Edwards, Kentucky
Practically speaking, you don’t want your safety leading the defense in tackles, but that was nearly the case for Kentucky in 2016. Edwards, a second-team All-SEC pick, finished with 100 tackles, second only to linebacker Jordan Jones (109).
Edwards led all SEC DBs in tackles, however, and became just the ninth DB to reach triple digits in the past nine seasons.
The rising junior also showed he can cover sideline to sideline in the passing game. He led the Wildcats with 8 pass breakups and shared the team lead with three interceptions. Two of those came against Louisville and Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson. He was also credited with a half-sack against Jackson.
Ball skills: Dominick Sanders, Georgia
Sanders’ stats (three interceptions, 34 tackles) won’t jump off the page at anyone, but the rising senior certainly knows where to be when the ball is in the air.
Look at the two interceptions below, where Sanders reads the quarterback’s eyes and is in the exact right spot to make a big play:
#Dawgs 24 Days featuring UGA's ball-hawk safety #24 Dominick Sanders (Tucker, GA) #GoDawgs #BeatUNC pic.twitter.com/s3Tc7ZgT5l
— GATA Dawgs (@BassinDawg) August 10, 2016
Dominick Sanders INT https://t.co/XTBAIu7NQ5
— NCAAF Nation (@NCAAFNation247) October 29, 2016
With even more expectations on the Bulldogs this fall, Sanders will be counted on to lead the Georgia defense to a new level. If he can continue his opportunistic play, it will be a good year in Athens.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
