DL-FBS
Bruce Irvin, Sr.-West Virginia
Irvin was the team leader last season with 14 sacks on the year, which led the Big East as well. His return will give the Mountaineers a force up front, as he retrurns to join Julian Miller, giving WVU to create havoc with the rest of the conference.
Brandon Jenkins, Jr.-Florida State
Jenkins collected 21.5 TFLs as a sophomore in 2010, so you know what you can expect from him as a junior in 2010. The Seminoles could be led to an ACC title by this defense alone. Jenkins is already a leader in so many ways, and he is going to lead the charge to championship contention.
Jonathon Massaquoi, Jr.-Troy
Massaquoi was also just a sophomore in 2010, and he led the Trojans and the Sun Belt with 20 TFLs. He may very well be the perfect candidate for Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year. Will be on my list for the All Bilo Defensive Lineman of the Year with fellow junior Jenkins.
Roosevelt Nix, So.-Kent State
Nix had a monster freshman season in 2010, as he led the Golden Flashes and the MAC in TFLs last season. Remember, as I have said, he was a FRESHMAN! That never happens at this spot with a player so young. Kent just needs to find a way to win around him.
Vinny Curry, Sr.-Marshall
Curry has been on the radar for quite a while now, and in 2012, barring serious injury, he's going to get paid. Curry led Conference USA with 12 sacks last season, and finished second with 18.5 TFLs. The Herd has been struggling, but not because of Curry.
Brandon Lindsey, Sr.-Pittsburgh
Brandon Lindsey led the Big East in TFLs last season, not Jabaal Sheard, but yet it's Lindsey returning for his senior season for new HC Todd Graham. Lindsey should be making a charge for Defensive POY in the Big East. Time to go out with a bang.
HONORABLE MENTION
Logan Harrell, Fresno State; Quinton Coples, North Carolina; Jared Crick, Nebraska; Melvin Ingram, South Carolina; Frank Trotter, Memphis; Vince Brown, Northwestern; JabareeTuani, Navy; Elliot Henigan, UAB; Kyle Wilbur, Wake Forest
DL-FCS
Mario Kurn, Sr.-San Diego
Mario Kurn is a machine, and if you are lining up opposite him on the field, you may as well just lay down and give up. Kurn racked up 27 TFLs last season, and he may be the center piece in getting the TOrreros back to their winning ways.
Zach Nash, Sr.-Sacramento State
Nash had 16.5 TFLs last season for a struggling Hornet team. Sacramento State very well could turn a corner in 2011, and they'll need everything Nash has to give to make it happen. The offense is already there.
Mark Hall, Sr.-Morehead State (Not pictured)
Hall also had 16.5 TFLs for the Eagles, but Morehead was light years away from pushing Jacksonville and Dayton in the Pioneer League. Hall will be instrumental in trying to push them to the next level this season. Now he just needs some talent around him.
Brian McNally, Sr.-New Hampshire
McNally returns after a season in which he collected 13.5 sacks. The Wildcats are always pushing the top of the Colonial, and this season should be more of the same. McNally will get the defense cranking behind him.
Jimmy Daniels, Sr.-Alabama State
Daniels collected 18.5 TFLs for the Hornets last season, and he'll be looking to go out with a bang in 2011. Alabama State was very close to winning a SWAC title in 2010, and it'll be up to the production and leadership of Daniels to drive the machine forward.
Amett Pall, Sr.-Wofford
Pall is a monster in the SoCon. His 22.5 TFLs led the conference last season, and he is on par to be one of the best that the SoCon has ever seen. Wofford only has to get by Appalachian State, something they have yet to do in recent years.
HONORABLE MENTION
Ronnie Cameron, Old Dominion; Donavan Robinson, Jackson State; Jerome Raymond, Morehead State; Pat Washington, South Carolina State; Andrew Schaetzke, Georgetown; Chris Donald, Chattanooga; Alex Davis, Samford; Preston Pemasa, Gardner-Webb; Julian Stanford, Wagner; Gavin Cooper, Cal Poly
DL-D2
Jonas Celian, Jr.-West Virginia Wesleyan
Celian is the second leading TFL guy in D2 football for the 2011 season. His 21.5 TFLs as a sophomore make him a prime candidate for defensive player of the year in 2011. He'll be just a junior next season, meaning that WV Wesleyan has him for two more seasons.
Armonty Bryant, Sr. East Central
Bryant had 19 TFLs last season, and will be a force in the Lone Star Conference this season. It's tough to stop this guy, and he may be even better in 2011.
Joseph Collard, So.-Tiffin
Collard also had 19 TFLs in 2010...as a freshman. Three more years, and imagine how good he'll be. Obviously, he's still reaching his prime.
Todd Storm, Sr.-Michigan Tech
Todd Storm had 10 sacks last season, but the Huskies may be better this season, and Storm has a chance to get better as well, which may be a scary thing.
Zach Moore, Jr.-Concordia St. Paul
Moore had 9 sacks, and he is improving more and more. He'll be a centerpiece as CSP tries to move to the next level in 2011. One of the best in the nation.
Barrington Morrison, Sr.-Clarion
Morrison collected 16.5 TFLs last season, but Clarion failed to capitilize on his efforts. That has got to change this season, because it's a shame to waste this much talent.
HONORABLE MENTION
Richard Daniel, Wayne State (Nebraska); Brandon Williams, Missouri Southern State; Craig Hoying, Findlay; James Thomas, Edinboro; Keir Jeter, Edinboro; Tim Hume, Cheyney; Brian Vukela, West Virginia Wesleyan; Brandon Martin, Lenoir-Rhine; Randy Colling, Gannon; Jordan Morgan, Ferris State
Coming up next, the Linebackers...
What about Jerome Raymond- Morehead State University??
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