Continuing with our series here at LWOS where we rank the best returning players in each conference, it’s time for the SEC. A few of our other great writers have covered other positions, but now it’s time to list the five best returning defensive linemen in the conference. Who knows, maybe we’ll throw in an honorable mention or two, as well.
Now, we all know that programs like Georgia and Alabama hoard five-star talent at levels that most schools could only dream of. But looking down the list in the SEC, you can easily go 10 to 11 schools deep and find legitimate high-level talent at any given position, making the conference unique.
That’s why these lists are so enjoyable, especially with the defensive line. We’ve all heard the old adage that “defense wins championships.” It’s easy to dismiss that as untrue in today’s college football, where teams are consistently scoring 40+ points per game, but there’s still a major amount of truth in the saying.
And a good defense starts with a good defensive line. You put pressure on the opposing quarterback, good things oftentimes happen.
So, without further ado, let’s get to the list. Keep in my mind, this is opinionated, but naturally, they’re all the right opinions.
Honorable Mention
Tonka Hemingway – South Carolina
Tonka Hemingway is a prime example of what was mentioned earlier. Despite the verdict still being out on South Carolina as a team, and defense, there’s no question that Hemingway is an absolute force. The senior from Conway, South Carolina has appeared in all 36 games since arriving on campus, and there’s no reason to think that changes this season.
One thing to keep in mind about Hemingway is the fact that he can play both inside and on the edge. Listed at nearly 300 pounds, he’s bigger than we’ve grown accustomed to in terms of edge rushers. However, he’s shown the ability to handle his own on the end, regardless of who’s in front of him. Now, he is expected to stay primarily on the interior this season. But having the ability to step out if needed is certainly a nice touch to have.
During his junior season last year, he recorded 33 total tackles, including a tremendous eight tackles for loss and four sacks. Oh, and just for fun, he also caught one pass for 16 yards, proving he can do it all.
Hemingway could have easily landed in our top-5, but at a loaded position group in the conference, he ends up falling just outside.
Nazir Stackhouse – Georgia
This is a tough one. Nazir Stackhouse could easily make the top-5 of the list. In fact, at the 2023 SEC Media Days, he was named first-team all-conference. This is due in part to the fact that he’s a massive human being. Listed at 6’3, 320 pounds, needless to say, he’s huge.
But he’s only played one full season at Georgia, and that was last season. Prior to the 2022 campaign, he had played in three games his freshman season, and six during his sophomore year. Now it is safe to say he made the most of his junior year, appearing in all 15 games. In those games, he recorded 33 total tackles, including three for loss.
The potential is remarkable, but slight questions about his athleticism leave him off of our list.
Top 5
5) Tim Smith – Alabama
Tim Smith and Nazir Stackhouse are virtually one and the same, in terms of comparisons. Smith, like Stackhouse, is also listed at 320 pounds, just with an extra inch, at 6-4.
However, Smith gets the edge, making our top-5, for a few different reasons.
First off would be experience. Smith, a senior from Gifford, Florida, has been a mainstay on the Crimson Tide’s defensive line since arriving in Tuscaloosa. After playing in eight games during his freshman season, he followed that up with 11 appearances as a sophomore, then appeared in all 13 games during his junior season. That trend should continue this year, where he’s expected to see an increase in snaps. Expect this snap increase to also lead to better production, especially in terms of tackles.
Secondly is his potential in forcing turnovers. As a freshman in 2020, Smith managed to force a fumble and recover two more. That comes despite his limited snaps in those eight appearances. If he can get back to that trend, which will certainly be possible this season, watch out.
While he was only named third-team All-SEC at this year’s SEC Media Days, expect that to change by season’s end. If you haven’t heard his name before now, go ahead and learn it. You’re going to hear it plenty this season.
4) Jared Ivey – Ole Miss
There’s a decent chance you haven’t heard of Jared Ivey before. He’s gone under the radar for his entire career, including by voters at SEC Media Days. Despite silly good numbers last season, he wasn’t voted to any All-SEC preseason teams. Let’s chalk that up to the conference just having a ridiculous amount of defensive lineman talent.
His career didn’t start in Oxford, but instead in Atlanta, with Georgia Tech. While a Yellow Jacket, he put up solid numbers, especially during his sophomore season. During that campaign, he recorded 32 total tackles. This included six tackles for loss and one-and-a-half sacks. And that was primarily as an interior lineman.
Since transferring to Ole Miss prior to last season, he’s done nothing but get even better. This comes with him even virtually switching positions, as he’s slimmed down a bit and is now primarily an edge rusher. In his one season in Oxford, he put up 37 tackles, including 3.5 sacks.
Now, with a new defensive coordinator in Pete Golding, formerly of Alabama, don’t expect those numbers to drop. Golding’s defenses are known for being aggressive, and coming off the edge, Ivey’s going to have plenty of opportunities.
He’s in good shape, and in a system that fits him well. Look for Ivey to have a monstrous 2023 season.
3) Princely Umanmielen – Florida
The verdict may still be out on Florida this season, but we already know that Princely Umanmielen is a beast. He’s another guy that’s gone slightly under the radar, but finally, people are starting to come around. He was voted third-team All-Defense at this year’s SEC Media Days, and that may still be too low.
Following two seasons of seeing limited snaps and playing time with the Gators where he only played in 11 games total, he finally got his opportunity last season. And goodness did he make the most of it. Putting up 39 total tackles is already a solid year. But adding 9.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks is just tremendous. And that’s exactly what Umanmielen did.
Listed at 6-4, 260 pounds, he’s a little light compared to many linemen, but that hasn’t slowed him down at all. It’s also being reported that he’s likely to undergo a position change prior to this season, where he may become nearly a permanent edge rusher. If that’s the case, expect his numbers to continue to improve, as he certainly has the speed and quickness to make a successful switch.
After last season, he’s finally on many people’s radar, and by the end of this season, expect Umanmielen to become a household name and a potential first-round pick in next year’s NFL Draft.
2) Mekhi Wingo – LSU
We’ve now reached our LSU portion of the list, and it’s all Tigers the rest of the way.
So let’s start with Mekhi Wingo. After starting his career at Missouri (he must love Tigers), and following a successful freshman year, he decided to make a change. That change led him to LSU to play for Brian Kelly, and it certainly seems like it was a good decision.
As a sophomore in Baton Rouge, Wingo put up 46 total tackles, with six tackles for loss and three sacks. Keep in mind, that comes as an interior lineman, not from the edge. Oh, and just for good measure, he also showed the ability to deflect passes from the inside, knocking down four passes last season.
He’s an all-around, balanced lineman, which is why he comes in at number two on the list. If there were one concern with Wingo, it would be his size, as he’s only listed at 6-1. For most linemen, that’s a bit short, but he’s shown the ability to counteract that with his athleticism. After all, there’s a reason he was voted preseason first-team All-Defense at SEC Media Days.
Not only is he a top-2 SEC defensive lineman, but he’s a top-5 lineman in college football. Expect him to continue to show this during the upcoming season.
That now leads us to the top returning defensive linemen in the SEC, and it’s none other than…
1) Maason Smith – LSU
Yes, the best defensive lineman in the SEC is also an LSU Tiger.
Maason Smith has seen limited playing time in Baton Rouge, but that’s not due to talent level. As a freshman, he played in seven games and started four of those. Despite the limited snaps, he recorded 19 tackles, with five tackles for loss and four sacks.
Then, expecting a breakout sophomore campaign last year, Smith suffered a season-ending knee injury after only one quarter in the season opener against Florida State. While that may have stopped the hype surrounding what he could have done last year, the hype train is back in full effect for the 2023 season. Reports are that he is back to 100% coming into the season, and with no limitations, expect Smith to wreak havoc on SEC offenses everywhere.
It’s also worth noting that he is an absolutely massive human being. Listed at 6’6, 292 pounds, he towers over virtually everyone, and this size could be the difference between him and the previously mentioned Mekhi Wingo. While from a talent level these two could be considered 1A and 1B, given the crazy size difference, especially the height, there’s a good chance Smith has a slightly bigger impact.
This gives him the edge and puts him atop our list of returning SEC defensive linemen.
Defensive Lineman Is A Loaded Position Group
The SEC is a conference loaded at the defensive lineman position. That being said, there are a few names that were probably left off the list that could easily be included. For instance, to name a few, Kentucky’s Deone Walker and Alabama’s Jaheim Otis come to mind.
We can debate and discuss all we want. But there’s one thing for certain. These guys are all going to be household names by the end of the season.
And what a season it’s sure to be.
Photo courtesy: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
