25 defensive players to watch during the 2023 college football season

Love the last name. And Corleone is certainly a tough guy when it comes to his play as one of the country's premier defensive tackles. In 2022, Corleone made a name for himself by recording 44 tackles, three sacks, and two forced fumbles for the Bearcats. According to Pro Football Focus, Corleone — a third-team All-American selection by The Associated Press — graded out as the highest-rated defensive player in the nation. Now, take that for what it's worth, but if Cincinnati is going to be able to contain some of the more potent offenses within their new Big 12 home, Corleone has to be at his best.

Known as "Mini-Fridge," in comparison to former Clemson great William "The Refrigerator" Perry. The 6-foot-2, 300-pound Davis has enjoyed plenty of success during his lengthy career at defensive tackle with the Tigers. He's a three-time All-ACC pick, taking home first-team honors in 2021 and '22. During 43 games spanning his previous four college seasons, including 39 starts, Davis has totaled 122 tackles — 26 for loss — and 15.5 sacks. He's also recorded four pass breakups and posted four fumble recoveries thus far at Clemson.

Even taking last season's 8-5 effort into consideration, Illinois has not been associated with winning on a consistent basis. However, the program continues to churn our some solid individual talent. Newton could be headed for a nice NFL payday relatively soon. In 2022, the Illini led the nation allowing just 12.8 points per contest, and Newton was a big reason while earning second-team All-American honors from the AP. He recorded career highs of 62 tackles — 14 for loss — 5.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hurries. Newton also posted 19 quarterback hits and recovered two fumbles last season.

There is plenty of local and national hype surrounding Robinson this season. Poised to become one of the best edge rushers in the college game, Robinson is hoping to build on a strong 2022 campaign when he recorded 10 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and one fumble recovery. The belief, at least among those in and around Robinson's daily routine and familiar with his overall talent, is that he can be even better in 2023. The Nittany Lions are a sexy pick to perhaps surpass Michigan and Ohio State as Big Ten favorites. 

At 6-foot-3, 310 pounds, Tafuna is a beast within Utah's interior defensive line. Tafuna set the foundation for his strong 2022 season by starting the final 11 games of 2021 and earning Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year honors. In '22, Tafuna recorded 27 tackles, including 3.5 for loss, and also recorded a sack while being a second-team All-Pac-12 selection. As Tafuna continues to progress, the signs of greatness appear to be there, and 2023 has the potential to be a breakout for this particular Ute.

Another pass rusher with loads of potential, Trice has progressed nicely during his two seasons playing for the Huskies. After recording two sacks in 2021, Trice led Washington with nine during its impressive 11-2 campaign from '22. He also led the squad with 12 tackles for loss en route to earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors. Brimming with confidence, Trice enters this season on the Nagurski Trophy Watch List and is expected to contend for the national sack lead while Washington eyes a Pac-12 championship.

We can go back to Ohio State's comeback 44-31 win at Penn State on Oct. 29 of last season, as being Tuimoloau's coming out party to the nation. During that contest, he posted a career-high six tackles — three for loss — two sacks, a forced fumble, fumble recovery and two interceptions, including one returned 14 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown. By season's end, Tuimoloau was named a first-team All-Big Ten selection for recording 28 tackles, including 10.5 for loss, with 3.5 sacks. That all leads to plenty of promise and hype entering this season for another Buckeyes squad eyeing a national championship.

Depending on who is doing the prognosticating, Verse could be the first defensive end taken off the board during the 2024 NFL Draft. After recording 13.5 sacks in two seasons at Albany of the FCS, Verse fared pretty well in 2022 at Florida State. Actually, that would be putting it mildly. In his first season with the Seminoles, Verse recorded 48 tackles — 17 for loss — plus nine sacks, three quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery and he even blocked a field goal to earn first-team All-ACC honors. So, it's understandable why Verse is considered a hot NFL commodity.

A third-team All-American by the AP last season, Wingo is the first of two LSU defenders to be showcased on this list. Wingo's career began at Missouri, but he refined his abilities at defensive tackle after moving to Baton Rouge for the 2022 season, when he recorded 47 tackles and three sacks. In 25 career college games, spanning both schools, Wingo has made 16 starts and posted 74 tackles, eight of which have gone for a loss, with four sacks. At 6-1, 295, Wingo is not an imposing figure, but his strength and agility up front can't be denied. 

The aforementioned Tyler Davis might be the anchor of the Tigers' defensive line, but the strength of their defense might be at the linebacker position. When it comes to Carter, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said he's "one of the best pure football players I’ve had in 20 years.” In his two seasons with the Tigers, Carter has recorded 103 tackles, including 11.5 for loss, plus 5.5 sacks, nine pass breakups and two interceptions. As we are about to see, Carter makes up half of one of the most dominating linebacker duos in the country.

In less than three years, Dumas-Johnson has gone from promising linebacker prospect to the leader of perhaps the nation's best defense. While helping the Bulldogs repeat as national champions in 2022, Dumas-Johnson earned second-team All-American honors from the AP after he finished second on the team with 70 tackles, including nine for loss, He also recorded four sacks and 26 quarterback hurries. Dumas-Johnson enters the 2023 season on the watchlist for both the Nagurski Trophy and Butkus Award.

There are several college football analysts and pundits who believe Eichenberg is the best linebacker in the country. There aren't many who will disagree with that type of thinking. Just look at the stats. Eichenberg has compiled 186 tackles, including 18.5 for loss, spanning 31 career games. He posted 120 of those tackles in 2022, when he earned second-team All-American honors from The Associated Press. While it might be hard to surpass those numbers in 2023, Eichenberg is still capable of putting together a special campaign.

Not many freshman, on either side of the ball in 2023, had a better season than Perkins. He played in all 14 games for the Tigers, including eight starts, and recorded 72 tackles. Of those stops, Perkins posted a team-leading 13 for loss and an impressive 7.5 sacks. Talk about making a great first impression. That was all good enough to earn first-team All-SEC honors by the AP, and certainly opens the door for a potentially massive sophomore season in 2023, while helping LSU seriously contend for a national championship. 

The other half of Clemson's dynamic linebacking duo with Barrett Carter, Trotter enters this season having received second-team All-American honors from the AP after he led the Tigers in tackles (92) tackles for loss (13.5) and tied for the team lead in sacks (6.5) in 2022. In his two seasons at Clemson, Trotter has recorded 114 tackles, with 14.5 of those stops going for loss. In addition, Trotter has posted 7.5 sacks, seven pass breakups, a forced fumble and an interception during his time with the Tigers.

Someone needs to carry the torch in the wake of Will Anderson's departure, and Turner seems like the obvious choice. Is Turner the next great hybrid linebacker/edge rusher to come out of the Crimson Tide program? Plenty of signs point to "yes." While Turner's sack numbers dropped in 2022 (four) from 2021 (8 1/2), he's still expected to be one of the most counted-on defenders to Alabama's cause this season. He's posted 18 tackles for loss in two seasons, and shouldn't be playing in anybody's shadows going forward. 

The Hawkeyes still might have their issues scoring the football in 2023, but we expect their defense will remain stout. And DeJean should be leading the pack. Talk about having a knack for the big play; DeJean recorded five interceptions in 2022, and set a single-season school record by returning of those for touchdowns, which also tied Iowa's all-time mark for interceptions returned for scores. He also posted eight passes defended. In addition to his ability to track down the football, DeJean ranked third on the team with 75 tackles, including 56 solos. 

Looking to build on a breakout season from 2022, King is another extremely talented defensive back coming out of the Big Ten. As a sophomore, King recorded his first three career interceptions and posted a highly impressive 18 passes defended. In addition, King registered 30 total tackles. He earned second-team All-Big Ten honors while playing in 13 games, with nine starts. Now, he should be considered the leader — or at least a major focal point — of the Nittany Lions secondary for the 2023 campaign.

The name alone is worthy of All-American status. On the field, though, McKinstry earned third-team All-American honors from the AP in 2022, and just might be the nation's top cornerback entering this campaign. Though McKinstry recorded just one interception last season, he led the Crimson Tide with 15 pass deflections. If that wasn't enough, McKinstry proved to be one of the country's top return men, averaging 15.86 yards per punt return — good enough to rank second nationally. He just might be Alabama's most exciting player at the moment, which is obviously saying a lot.

Much of the focus surrounding Notre Dame entering the 2023 season is on the offensive side of the ball. However, the Irish have a good one in Morrison, who made quite the impression as a freshman in 2022. Morrison went from a promising prospect to a starter by the end of his first college season. His six interceptions tied for second in the nation last season, with two coming in a win over Clemson, and three more against Boston College. Morrison also recorded 33 total tackles and one for loss while making a name for himself around the country.

By the end of the most special season in TCU history, there were plenty of names to remember. Newton was certainly one of them after coming over from Louisiana-Monroe. The step-up in competition didn't seem to phase Newton, who picked off three passes (one of which he returned for a touchdown against Iowa State on Nov. 26) and ranked second on the team with 12 passes defended. Newton also made 35 tackles, including 2.5 for loss while helping the Horned Frogs make it all the way to the national championship game.

There was plenty of talent on the 2022 Utes defense, which was a big season they won a second consecutive Pac-12 title. Leading the way was the hard-hitting Bishop, who in his second full collegiate season posted a team-best 83 tackles in '22. Of those stops, Bishop recorded six for loss and even picked up 1.5 sacks. Bishop also picked off a pass and defended four passes. In his two seasons, Bishop has made 19 starts over 24 games, and is someone to keep an eye on while flying under the radar at the moment.

Bullard is actually a player without a position designation. Like pretty much all members of the Georgia secondary, who are listed as "Defensive Backs." Bullard entered Georgia as a cornerback prospect, then served as a hybrid of nickel back/slot corner/weakside linebacker, where last season he spent a good chunk of time while recording 46 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions. This season, though, it appears Bullard could be playing in a more traditional safety role following the departure of Chris Smith.

When it comes to all-around secondary talent, the conversation could easily start with Bullock. In 25 games, spanning two seasons for the Trojans, Bullock has already posted seven interceptions, eight pass breakups and continues to prove his worth as a big-time player. Five of those picks came in 2022, with one being returned for a touchdown. Bullock also ranked fifth on the team last season with 47 total tackles, en route to being named a first-team All-Pac-12 performer by The Associated Press. 

Among the national leaders with six interceptions in 2022, Kinchens was a first-team All-American as noted by The Associated Press. In addition to his superb ball-hawking skills, Kinchens also led the Hurricanes with 59 tackles last season. He was one of the few bright spots on a dismal 5-7 Miami squad from a year ago, and the best aspect of a defense that collectively allowed 40 or more points on five occasions. If Kinchens can continue to play at his caliber, and he gets help, the Hurricanes' defense should improve enough to produce a winning season in '23.

With the aforementioned Javon Bullard reportedly moving to safety, and taking into consideration the success Starks enjoyed as a true freshman in 2022, the Bulldogs appear to have the best duo at the position in the country. Back to Starks, who has the potential to be a stud after he ranked among Georgia's leaders with 68 total tackles, seven pass breakups and also picked off two passes. It should be fun to see how that experience, and the element of maturity, will further benefit Starks in 2023.