The top 25 defensive players in college football for 2018

Baker is an outstanding cover corner and one of the reasons the Bulldogs' defense was so good in 2017. A lot of those guys are gone, so it is up to vets like Baker to continue to be leaders for the players ascending to starter status. With Baker able to stick to the opponent's best receiver, it helps relieve stresses on a young, albeit talented, Dawgs defense. 

Bosa may not end up with the monster Buckeyes career his older brother Joey did, but he has matched his disruptive nature as one of the best defensive linemen in the nation. He led Ohio State in tackles and tackles for loss last season despite not being a full-time starter. He will be a major factor in the Buckeyes' chances for a playoff spot. 

Brown is a huge 6-foot-5, 325-pound defensive tackle who stuffs the run and is athletic enough to get into the backfield and pile up tackles for loss. If he continues to build on the improvements he made during his sophomore year, this junior could become a top-10 pick in next year's draft.  

Michigan returns its usual stellar defense, and Bush may be the best player on that unit. He does have a smaller frame but uses his speed and savvy to bring down ball carriers. Bush led the Wolverines in tackles last season, which landed him on the All-American Second Team. His father was an NFL safety for the Falcons, Rams and Browns. 

Davis is an unreal talent who may best be remembered for his interception against Georgia in the College Football Playoff Championship Game. On a defensive front with guys who now are playing on Sundays, he led the bunch in sacks last season. His most notable sack was in the season opener against Florida State just days after being hospitalized with a gunshot wound to his leg. He's a massive 6-foot-7 lineman who can see over most blockers.

The Ducks' defense hasn't been very good the last few years, but Troy Dye is a player worth keeping an eye on. Last season he finished fourth in the Pac-12 in tackles and even returned a fumble 86 yards for a touchdown in the Las Vegas Bowl. For a program that will be under its third head coach in three seasons, this junior linebacker is one of the rare positions of stability in Eugene.

Clemson's defensive line is full of stars, but Ferrell arguably put up the best 2017 of any of them. He led the team in sacks and tackles for loss in 2017 and stunned many by returning for his redshirt junior season. With the gang back together, the Tigers look to frustrate ACC offenses and win another conference title. 

Gaines was a critical part of the nation's top rush defense in 2017. He has lined up alongside Elijah Qualls and Vita Vea during his Huskies career, but now he becomes the anchor of that stout defensive line. Washington coaches feel he's up to the challenge to get the Huskies back to the Pac-12 title game. 

The Wolverines boast one of the top defenses in the country, and Gary is a huge reason why. The unanimous No. 1 recruit in 2016, Gary was named to the All-Big Ten Team by the coaches as a sophomore. He is tough to keep out of the backfield despite being the main focus of opposing offenses. 

Possibly one of the most underrated linebackers in the nation, Giles-Harris should be on everyone's radar. He's the leading returning tackler in the ACC (125 stops last year) but not because he makes YouTube-style plays. He's smart, and his ability to read plays makes him like a coach on the field. Another great season and he will no longer be in the shadows.

The Turnover Chain had a life of its own in 2017, and no one wore it more than safety Jaquan Johnson. Johnson led the Hurricanes with four picks and recovered two fumbles to wear the chain six times last season. He wasn't just a guy who made only the big plays — he led the U in tackles as well. 

Lawrence is an intimidating presence on that Clemson defensive line. As the quarterback sets up behind center and looks to see how he can keep Clelin Ferrell and Christian Wilkins off his back, he sees this athletic 340-pound man packed in a 6-foot-4 frame. He may not wow you with his stat line as the other Tigers on the line get the shine, but if you watch Clemson play this year, you will see Lawrence's impact on the game.  

Long missed the Mountaineers' first four games last season, but he returned with a bang. He was everywhere on the field, registering 15.5 tackles for loss. He had shoulder surgery earlier this year but should be good to lead a sleeper defense that will be key if West Virginia wants to contend for a Big 12 title. 

Oliver has been a stud since his first college game when he terrorized Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield two seasons ago. He has since won the Outland Trophy and become the most feared lineman in the nation. The junior has already declared for the 2019 NFL Draft (he did so before the 2018 draft) and could very well be the top overall pick. 

Quarterman has started all 26 games since he arrived at the U. He was second on the Hurricanes in tackles and added 2.5 sacks, and he is a leader on one of the best defenses in the nation. Shaq and the defense had Miami on the brink of a playoff berth until they crashed down to Earth at the end of the season. Maybe another Shaq can bring another championship to Miami. 

Simmons is a terror who can play both inside and at the end of the defensive line. Either place he has an outstanding ability to pressure the quarterback and disrupts plays. He's so versatile that he's even blocked kicks and scored a touchdown. 

Smith has gotten better every year since joining the Trojans. One of the Pac-12's top tacklers, Smith will be tasked with leading a defense that lost several players to the NFL as well as a team that lost its quarterback and top rusher. He is intelligent and a guy who works on reading offenses and getting everyone up to speed on what's going on. In a transition season, Smith's knowledge will be key for USC to get back to the Pac-12 title game. 

Smith won the MAC's Defensive Player of the Year Award by racking up 14 sacks and reminding people of former MAC star Khalil Mack. He isn't just some star on a Group of 5 program, either — Alabama was heavily recruiting him before a hand injury muddied his high school career.

Sweat is the elite pass rusher on a powerful Bulldogs defensive line. The 6-foot-6 rusher led the SEC is sacks in 2017 in his first season in Starkville (he transferred from Michigan State and Co-Lin Community College) and had 15.5 tackles for loss. 

Florida State certainly had a poor season last year, but Taylor was one of the best defensive backs in the country. He did not allow a touchdown during the regular season. Some of that was because quarterbacks didn't throw his way. He is a true lockdown corner.

White, a junior, is projected to be a high first-round draft pick next spring. The inside linebacker is fast enough to cover sideline to sideline as well as put pressure on the quarterback, (He recorded 4.5 sacks last season). He has come a long way after a couple of arrests during high school to become one of the premier defensive players in the nation.

Clemson's defensive front is loaded, but Wilkins may be the most dangerous. He is not only a dominant defensive lineman, but he is so versatile. The Tigers can line him up inside or outside, and he is one of the best in the nation at blocking field goals and is even used on fake punts.

Williams follows a long line of outstanding defensive backs that LSU has produced. As a redshirt freshman last season, Williams led the SEC with six interceptions and has earned a reputation as a ball hawk. (He was also among the leaders in passes defended in 2017.) Those numbers could go down as opposing quarterbacks may stay away from his side of the field.

Wilson took advantage of the defensive injury woes the Crimson Tide suffered last season and turned in a great playoff run. His pick-six in the Sugar Bowl against Clemson sealed the Tide's spot in the title game. Against Georgia, he led Bama in tackles in the title win. With those injured backers now gone, it is Wilson's job, and if he continues to perform at this level the Crimson Tide will be fine. 

Wingard has had one heck of a career at Wyoming. After earning Second-Team All-Mountain West honors as a freshman, he's made it to the First Team the last two seasons. As a senior, he wants to go out in style by picking up some more muscle and embracing a leadership role for the Cowboys.