Most important defensive position in collegiate football

[buckeye247]

Which position do you think can makes the greatest impact on the defensive side of the ball? Keep in mind we are talking about college football.

I think its lb. With good lb that can cover and stop the run, an oridnary defense can be dominate.

 

[jwinslow]

End. Will Smith absolutely destroyed anything the other offense attempted to do.

 

[Golferdow01]

End...without a good one you get burned on long bombs...

 

[bucknut11]

It all starts in the trenches...

Good line creates pressure to hurry the QBs throws, occupies linemen so the LBs can make tackles, and stuffs the run. It doesn't matter who's behind, if you don't have the DL, the back 7 don't matter.

 

[OhioState49]

The linebacker is the heart and soul of the defense. they are the running backs of the defense :osu:

 

[Oneshot]

CB.

Shut down half of the field. And if he's a full cornerback (ie: not Deion), he'll be a great boone for run support (Youboty this season). Thus, you force the opposing team to run straight northsouth.

 

[JXC]

It's the DL...definitely (a reason why I like our defense this year, I think this will be the strength of our defense). Since it was either DT or DE...I chose DT. The big boy run stoppers. Those guys in the middle can change the running game...hopefully force them to run outside where your LBs will be freed up to make some tackles. It all starts up front though. And i've got two words for you for the 2006 season:

Quinn Pitcock!

 

[jwinslow]

2004 season is a prime example of great talent in the back seven with no pressure in the front four.

 

[Kueller]

DE, can hurry QB's and force fumbles on sacks, poor throws, and interceptions. A shaken signal caller is a useless signal caller.

 

[Welsh0913]

DL

I have always believed that the 2002 National Title was due to the AMAZING play of the DL.

 

[BUCKYLE]

On D, the lineman control the game. Games are won or lost in the trenches. A great LB corps or secondary can cover for a sub-par DL, but in the end, a GREAT D-line can wreak havoc on an opposing teams entire gameplan. If a QB doesn't have time to act, it's over.

 

[HineyBuck]

Punter?

 

[Buckeye86]

2004 season is a prime example of great talent in the back seven with no pressure in the front four.

Iowa this year is another example of some good/great linebackers that didn't really shine behind a not so great front four.

 

[GrizzlyBuck]

I'd have to say DT, they plug the middle, keep opponents from getting to your linebackers and from double teaming your DE's, and if they get penetration into the backfield they disrupt the whole offensive scheme. I think the years our D has struggled the most (relatively speaking) our DTs play has been sub-par.

nice thread to see what others think:)

 

[BuckBackHome]

I'm taking LB. All of the positions are even to me for all the reasons listed above. Since the LB usually makes the defensive calls I give that position the edge.