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The best way to prevent an opponent from scoring is by shutting a play down before it can even begin. Enter the pass rushers, whose job is to harry, annoy, and otherwise create a nightmare for the opposing quarterback.
Here we rank the best pass rushers of the SEC in the last decade by number of career sacks. This list was supposed to only include 10 players, but due to a tie for tenth place, we’ve included a total of 11 pass rushers.
T-10. Derrick Harvey, Florida: While he’s not Florida’s all-time best pass rusher, Harvey is the Gators’ best in the last decade. He had his most impressive season in 2006, when he racked up 13.5 tackles for a loss and 11 sacks, which was second highest in the SEC and tied for fourth in the nation. Harvey was selected eighth overall in the 2008 NFL draft.
Career Stats: 20.5 sacks, 90 total tackles
T-10. Dee Ford, Auburn: During his last year at Auburn, Ford exploded defensively with 10.5 sacks on the season, which is more than all sacks from previous years combined. That also caused him to be ranked second in the SEC for both sacks and tackles for a loss. Despite having undergone surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back, his performance in 2012 and 2013 turned the heads of NFL scouts, resulting in a 23rd pick during the first round of the 2014 NFL draft.
Career Stats: 20.5 sacks, 93 total tackles
T-8. Melvin Ingram, South Carolina: In the last decade, Ingram ranks third in number of career sacks as a Gamecock. He, along with Clowney, was part of the 2011 South Carolina team which finished the year ranked No. 9 in the Associated Press poll with a record of 11-2. Both of them helped the Gamecocks have the second best passing defense and third best total defense in the conference that year.
Career Stats: 21.5 sacks, 111 total tackles
T-8. Chris Smith, Arkansas: Smith is the second best Arkansas pass rusher in the past decade, second only to Jake Bequette (more on him later in the list). During his junior year, he had the fourth most sacks in the SEC. He also defended four passes. Last season was his rookie year in the NFL, but that didn’t stop him from continuing to disrupt the backfield with 3 sacks.
Career Stats: 21.5 sacks, 122 total tackles
T-6. Jake Bequette, Arkansas: Bequette has been Arkansas’ best pass rusher in the last decade, recording the most career sacks for a Razorbacks defender since 2000. During his senior year, he ranked second in the SEC for fumbles forced and seventh nationally. In terms of sacks, he was also ranked second in the SEC and 10th nationally.
Career Stats: 23.5 sacks, 126 total tackles
T-6. Alvin “Bud” Dupree, Kentucky: Dupree will no longer be with the Wildcats in 2015, a fact which saddens all Kentucky fans since Dupree was the best pass rusher the program had seen in a while. During his senior year, along with 7.5 sacks, he recorded 12.5 tackles for a loss, 1 interception return touchdown, and 2 forced fumbles.
Career Stats: 23.5 sacks, 247 total tackles
5. Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina: Clowney’s iconic helmet-flying hit against Michigan during the 2013 Outback Bowl is still the best way to sum up his power as a defender. He set the school record for sacks in a single season and ranks third in career sacks. Clowney’s college career was impressive enough to earn him the honor of being the first pick overall in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Career Stats: 24 sacks, 130 total tackles
4. Antonio Coleman, Auburn: During his senior season in 2009, Coleman was one of the best defenders in the SEC. He ranked first in the conference in tackles for a loss and sacks. He also recorded one interception return touchdown. Although Coleman made it big in college, the same could not be said for his professional career. While he was considered one of the top prospects at outside linebacker in the 2010 NFL draft, he went undrafted.
Career Stats: 24.5 sacks, 150 total tackles
3. Greg Hardy, Ole Miss: Hardy excelled in all aspects of being a defender. In Hardy’s sophomore year, he had the second most sacks, third most tackles for a loss, and third most forced fumbles in the SEC. He still holds the record for most career sacks in Ole Miss history.
Career Stats: 26.5 sacks, 147 total tackles
2. Jarvis Jones, Georgia: A transfer from Southern California, Jones immediately made an impact on defense for the Bulldogs. Over only two seasons, he racked up 28 sacks which is tied for third most in school history. Jones also led the nation in sacks during his last year as a Bulldog, getting 14.5 that season.
Career Stats: 28 sacks, 168 total tackles
1. Eric Norwood, South Carolina: Right from his freshman year, Norwood made a name for himself as one of the top defensive players not only in the SEC, but in the country. He not only accounted for at least 6 sacks a season, but also recorded a career total of 55 tackles for a loss. During his senior year, he also added 2 interceptions and an interception return touchdown to his accomplishments. Norwood holds the school record for number of career sacks.
Career Stats: 29 sacks, 255 total tackles
Christine Wang is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. She covers Auburn, Arkansas and Ole Miss.
