SEC Debate: Which team will lead the SEC in interceptions in 2015?
By Kevin Duffey
Published:
Ole Miss and Auburn led the SEC in interceptions last season. Both defenses posted 22 INTs each, and Ole Miss, particularly, was known for its ballhawking defense led by safety Cody Prewitt and cornerback Senquez Golson, both of whom have graduated.
The Rebels and Tigers both lose multiple players in the secondary, and it’s likely another team will emerge to lead the SEC in interceptions for 2015.
So, let’s have a debate.
Which team will lead the SEC in interceptions in 2015?
Brett Weisband (@WeisbandSDS): LSU Tigers
Yeah, the Tigers are losing three 2014 opening day starters in their secondary. That doesn’t deter me at all from thinking Defensive Back University is going to take the No. 1 spot in the interception standings this year. Safety Jamal Adams is going to be the breakout defensive star of 2015, while Kevin Toliver and Ed Paris are going to make sure the Tigers don’t miss a beat at cornerback. One of the biggest reasons I think LSU makes a leap from No. 12 to No. 1 is an improved pass rush. With Ed Orgeron in town to coach the defensive line, LSU should get far more pressure on passers than it did in 2014. With opposing QBs feeling the heat more often, LSU’s playmaking secondary is going to make them pay.
Ethan Levine (@EthanLevineSDS): Tennessee Volunteers
A few teams come to mind, but Tennessee’s secondary seems the best equipped to lead the SEC in interceptions in 2015. Not only does UT return 75 percent of its starters in the secondary, including All-SEC contender Cam Sutton and both of last year’s starting safeties, but it boasts a menacing front seven that should eliminate opposing rushing attacks and put pressure on quarterbacks when opponents take to the air. It’s the perfect marriage of personnel and scheme. Tennessee’s secondary may not be the SEC’s most talented in 2015, but it’s set up to make the most plays in the passing game.
Brad Crawford (@BCrawfordSDS): Georgia Bulldogs
Thanks to the Bulldogs’ extreme athleticism in the front seven heading into Jeremy Pruitt’s second season between the hedges, I think Georgia’s secondary will surprise many this season. Pruitt likes to blitz and this should force a variety of misplaced and ill-timed throws in the direction of Dominick Sanders and Quincy Mauger among others at the back end.
Christopher Smith (@CSmithSDS): LSU Tigers
First, this doesn’t necessarily indicate the best secondary. For instance, Auburn tied for the SEC lead last year with 22 and Missouri led in 2013 with 20. But since it’s hard to pick out a random secondary, I’m taking the LSU Tigers ahead of the Florida Gators. No matter whom the team starts at its second cornerback spot — likely Ed Paris or Kevin Toliver III — the team is saturated with athletic defensive backs who not only are good in coverage, but who also make plays. I think LSU will be good enough to put the squeeze on several teams late in games, which will give players like Jalen Mills opportunities to rack up interceptions.
Jon Cooper (@JonSDS): Florida Gators
Florida returns the best corner in the SEC in Vernon Hargreaves, and it’s likely the Gators boast the best tandem with Hargreaves and Jalen Tabor. Combine the corner duo with returners Marcus Maye, Brian Poole and Quincy Wilson, and the Gators could have the biggest No Fly Zone in the SEC. I also think that with new aggressive defensive coordinator Geoff Collins, the Gators will put more pressure on quarterbacks, forcing them to make bad decisions. The secondary, in turn, will benefit the most and pick off some more passes. The Gators finished tied for second with 16 INTs in 2014 and led the SEC in 2012 with 20. If I’m a betting man, it would be on the best corner duo in the SEC. That should belong to the Florida Gators.
A graduate of the University of Florida and founder of Saturday Down South, Kevin is a college football enthusiast.
