This is the fourth in a series looking at the best positional tandems in college football in each conference, taking into account both college production and pro potential. Today it is the best pair of defensive linemen.
ACC
Clemson: DE Vic Beasley and DT Grady Jarrett. Florida State has the league's best line, but this is the league's best duo. Beasley led the ACC and was tied for third nationally with 13 sacks last season. Beasley (6-foot-2, 235 pounds) had eight sacks as a reserve in 2012, and his career total of 21 is eighth in school history; he needs eight more as a senior this fall to become Clemson's career leader (Gaines Adams and Michael Dean Perry each had 28). Look for him to play some outside linebacker, too, as he readies for a position change at the next level. Jarrett (6-1, 295), is a squatty senior who makes a ton of tackles (83 last season) for an interior lineman; he had nine tackles for loss and 14 quarterback hurries last fall, and is a stout presence in the middle against the run.
Last time an ACC defensive line duo was selected in the same draft: Florida State had four defensive linemen selected in the 2013 draft -- DE Bjoern Werner (first round), DE Cornellius Carradine (second round), DE Brandon Jenkins (fifth round) and DT Everett Dawkins (seventh round). Werner and Carradine both went in the top 40.
Big Ten
Ohio State: DT Michael Bennett and DE Joey Bosa. You could replace Bosa with fellow DE Noah Spence, and that would be fine, too. Bennett (6-2, 288), a senior, never stops working; he makes plays against the run and as a pass rusher, and might be the best senior defensive tackle in the nation. Bosa (6-5, 285) was magnificent as a true freshman last season. His dad (John Bosa) and uncle (Eric Kumerow) were first-round picks, but Joey has more talent than both. He proved tough against the run and also had 7.5 sacks last fall; like Bennett, Bosa has a great motor, but Bosa also is extremely athletic for a 285-pounder, and once he truly understands the nuances of the position he is going to be a monster. Spence (6-3, 252), a junior, is a big-time pass rusher. The conundrum for opposing offensive coordinators: Do you double Bosa or Spence -- and how do you handle Bennett?
Last time a Big Ten defensive line duo was selected in the same draft:Illinois had two taken in 2013. DE Akeem Spence went in the fourth round, and DE Michael Buchanan was selected in the seventh round. Their selections meant Illinois had five D-linemen taken in four drafts from 2010-13.
Big 12
Texas: DE Cedric Reed and DT Malcom Brown. The Longhorns might have struggled against the run last season, but this pair did their job for the most part in 2013. Reed (6-5, 260) thought about declaring for the draft, but decided to return to school after racking up 10 sacks and 19 tackles for loss. On the inside, Brown (6-3, 320) is a stout presence who certainly passes the eyeball test and knows how to handle double teams. The latter is just a junior, but has shown plenty of promise after starting every game last year.
Last time a Big 12 defensive line duo was selected in the same draft:Oklahoma had Stacy McGee (sixth round) taken by the Oakland Raiders and David King (seventh round) picked by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013.
Pac-12
UCLA: DT Ellis McCarthy and DT Eddie Vanderdoes. There are a ton of stars along the defensive line in the Pac-12, but the Bruins' duo has a chance to be the most feared in the league. Vanderdoes (6-4, 310) had a terrific first season in Westwood and was quickly named a Freshman All-American following a disruptive campaign. McCarthy (6-5, 330) has battled injury issues, but is a force to be reckoned with when healthy and was a Pac-12 Honorable Mention pick despite starting just eight games. The big defensive tackle really came on for the Bruins late in the year and has plenty of potential as a future NFL draft pick.
Last time a Pac-12 defensive line duo was selected in the same draft: The 2013 NFL Draft saw league newcomer Utah send both Star Lotulelei (14th overall to the Carolina Panthers) and Joe Kruger (seventh round to the Philadelphia Eagles) to the professional ranks.
College football's top trios
Looking ahead to the 2014 season, College Football 24/7 took a look at the top triplets on both offense and defense in each of the top conferences. **More ...**
SEC
Arkansas: DE Trey Flowers and DT Darius Philon. Flowers will be counted on to anchor the Razorbacks' pass rush at least as effectively as Jacksonville Jaguars draftee Chris Smith did a year ago. Flowers (6-4, 265) made five sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss, and forced a team-high three fumbles last season. He was solid against the run, as well. Philon flashed star potential as a freshman last year, making 46 stops and nine TFLs from an interior position. Philon can also shrink the pocket as an inside pass rusher, which will make things easier for Flowers on the edge. Both will be improved and more productive in 2014, and 15 sacks between them is a realistic projection. Other SEC tandems to watch: Kentucky's Za'Darius Smith and Bud Dupree; Ole Miss' Robert Nkemdiche and C.J. Johnson.
Last time an SEC defensive line duo was selected in the same draft: The Arizona Cardinals made Alabama defensive end Ed Stinson a fifth-round pick this year (160th overall), and 17 picks later, the Houston Texans took the Tide's Jeoffrey Pagan in the sixth round.
Other conferences
AAC: Memphis (DE Martin Ifedi and DT Terry Redding).
Conference USA: Marshall (DT James Rouse and DE Ra'Shawde Myers).
MAC: Ohio (DE Tarell Basham and DT Antwan Crutcher).
MWC: Wyoming (DT Patrick Mertens and DE Eddie Yarbrough).
Sun Belt: Idaho (DT Quayshawne Buckley and DE Maxx Forde).
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