#1 JR, LB, Micah Parsons, Penn State
Parsons led the team in tackles as a true freshman (82) and wasn’t a full-time starter. A year later he was that starter and led the team again (109) while becoming a complete impact linebacker. Along with his 109 tackles, he added 14 tackles for a loss, five sacks, four forced fumbles, and five pass breakups. I expect another big year from Parsons and this might be his last as a Nittany Lion, as he’s a first round prospect for the 2021 NFL Draft.
#2 R-JR, LB, Dylan Moses, Alabama
At the start of last season, many felt that 2019 would be his last for the Crimson Tide and he’d declare for this year’s draft. Unfortunately for him, he would suffer a knee injury that would cost him the entire season. In an era where everyone is so quick to chase the money and go professional, Moses decided to return to Alabama for another year and rehab his knee and draft value. He could challenge Parsons for the nation’s top defensive player and is a first round prospect for the 2021 NFL Draft.
#3 SO, DE, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
The Ducks landed the #2 player of the 2019 recruiting class and he paid off huge rewards right away. As a true freshman, Thibodeaux led the Ducks in sacks (9) and tackles for a loss (14.5), both of which were good for fourth in the Pac-12 last season. You rarely see true freshmen come in and perform at that high of a level. He was named to the Freshman All-American team and the Pac-12 Defensive Freshman on the Year. Now that he’s a had a full season in the program and weight room, I expect him to be a monster going forward. Good thing for IDP Devy owners is they have control of him for at least two more seasons before he can declare for the draft. Thibodeaux is a first round prospect right now.
#4 SR, S, Andre Cisco, Syracuse
This year’s draft class has a lot of great safety prospects, but Cisco is better than all of them. Fortunately for them and fantasy owners, he has another year in the college game before he can declare for the NFL Draft. Cisco is a beast at safety, has been since day one at Syracuse and will only get better. Don’t believe me? Well, buckle up, as I will prove it. As a true freshman, he led the nation in interceptions (7) and finished fifth as a sophomore with (5). That’s twelve picks over the past two seasons and what’s more impressive is he got those twelve picks in just 22 games played. Ballhawk!!! He’s also a tone-setter on the back end of Syracuse’s defense and has great tackling skills (my pet peeve for players). I’m betting this will be his best year yet and he is also a future first round prospect, that I will be targeting in all my IDP rookie drafts in 2021.
#5 FR, LB, Henry To’o To’o, Tennessee
Call this a homer pick if you want, but To’o To’o deserves to be on this list. Just like those above, he made an impact starting the day he stepped on campus for his team. He finished second in tackles (72) for the Vols, but with leading tackler Daniel Bituli and some others off to the NFL, the team will be now his to lead. He was a top-50 recruit and played for national powerhouse, De La Salle High School, in California. To’o To’o made an impact in his very first game, by recording seven tackles and was the first freshman to lead the team in tackles in an opener since 1996. He would have seven games with seven or more tackles on the season and the best is yet to come. Devy owners will have two more years of control of To’o To’o before he can become NFL draft-eligible.
#6 JR, LB, Cameron McGrone, Michigan
Became a full-time player last season for the Wolverine’s last season, after waiting in the wings as a freshman. McGrone put together a solid season with 65 tackles, 9 for a loss and 2.5 sacks, but looks to take his game to the next level as it will be his team to lead. The #24 player and #1 OLB in the 2018 recruiting cycle, he will have to fill the void left by the recent departures of players such as Devin Bush and Josh Uche. That should be no problem for McGrone who is super athletic and has a nose for finding the ball. I see this being McGrone’s breakout season, so grab him now while you can. Devy owners will have two years of control of McGrone as well.
#7 R-JR, DE, Gregory Rousseau, Miami
There’s a discussion to be had, that Rousseau should be ranked in the top 3 after the season he put together last year for the Hurricanes. Honestly, I wouldn’t argue it at all, especially when you consider that he has a new teammate in transfer Quincy Roche from Temple to play opposite him. Rousseau only played in one game as a true freshman before he suffered a season-ending ankle injury and was redshirted. Last year was a completely different story as he led the ACC and finished second in sacks (15.5), and led the ACC finishing seventh in tackles for a loss (20). Now as I mentioned before, he gets Quincy Roche to play opposite him and take away some of the double teams he faced last season, setting him up for another monster season. He will give Thibodeaux a run for his money as the nation’s best defensive end.
#8 LB, Paddy Fisher, Northwestern
During his first two seasons with the Wildcats, Fisher was a force to be reckoned with. He would lead all first-year FBS players in tackles (113) and solo tackles (65) while earning Freshman All-American honors. As a sophomore, he would post almost identical numbers for tackles (116) and solo tackles (63). Fisher would rank in the top 5 in Big-Ten Conference for both categories, both years. As a junior, he would see a drop-off in production as teams would scheme away from him forcing his teammates to make plays. With his draft stock taking a bit of a hit, he decided to return for his senior season and I expect him to return to form. A down-hill thumper who I have projected as a third / fourth round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.
#9 JR, LB, Mike Rose, Iowa State
Unlike many of the players on this list, Rose was just a 3-★★★ recruit coming out of high school, but make no mistake, he has worked hard to be one of college football’s best players. He received First team Freshman All-American and has earned Honorable Mention All Big-12 Conference both years. When you look at his raw numbers, they aren’t the most staggering totals, but you have to account for the fact that he was part of a wonderful linebacking trio for Iowa State. I wrote an article about this trio last year! So as you can see, when you have three super talented linebackers on the field at the same time, the numbers won’t always tell a player’s story or value. Rose has excellent read and react skills and as the middle linebacker of this trio, he will get plenty of opportunities to make plays.
#10 SR, LB, Colin Schooler, Arizona
Don’t let the golden flowing locks fool you! He’s a go-getting tackling machine. He earned Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year, Freshman All-American team and Pac-12 first team All-Conference honors in 2018. Impressive no doubt and he was only getting started. As a sophomore, he’d step up his game even more, where he’d lead the team in tackles (119). As a junior, he would lead the team in tackles (98) yet again and his 313 career tackles rank 15th in Pac-12 history. Now that he has returned for his senior year, look for him to continue his assault on the record books. I believe it was a smart decision on his part to return to school and put the final touches on a great career and boost his draft value.
#11 LB, Jabril Cox, TBD
This is somewhat of a rarity that a top 25 player isn’t currently on a team’s roster, but with the new transfer portal rules, I think we could see more of this, especially from the lower division players. While I’m of the belief if you can play NFL teams will find you no matter where you play (ex Kyle Dugger), I do understand a player wanting to play against the best. Cox might be one of the most decorated players on this list, but don’t overlook him because he played at FCS powerhouse, North Dakota State. If you’re a true college football lover, you know about the Bisons and their dominance, and Cox as a player. As I mentioned he entered the transfer portal and at this time he has yet to land with another team. When he does, he will be one of the nation’s best prospects and is already in my grading. Go look at his career stats and then watch his game film and you will see why I think that. He’s one of the more complete linebackers in the country and the team that signs him will be getting one hell of a player.
#12 FR, LB, Justin Flowe, Oregon
Here’s another rarity, but one worth taking notice of. One year after they signed the best defensive line recruit, the Ducks follow that up by signing 5-★★★★★ and #4 overall player for the 2020 recruiting cycle. Flowe has been one of the most talked-about recruits in recent memory and will get a chance to start right away. Talk about perfect timing for both him and Oregon, as he will be expected to fill in for the recently departed NFL prospect Troy Dye. I don’t generally like to rank players that haven’t even played a down of college football, but Flowe is so talented and walked into a perfect opportunity and with the talent around him, it’s hard to keep him off the list. Then factor in the devy owners have control of him for at least three years is hard to ignore.
#13 SR, S, Richard LeCounte, Georgia
At 5’11”, 190 lbs., he’s a little undersized for safety but make no mistake, he will hit you like a linebacker. With J.R. Reed off to the NFL, LeCounte will take on a larger role and should fill in nicely for the Dawgs. He has steadily improved each season and plays for one of the country’s best defensive units. While his tackle numbers dipped just a bit last season, he did record a career-best four interceptions. I look for him to be one of the more complete safeties this upcoming season.
#14 SO, CB, Derek Stingley Jr. LSU
I know quality cornerbacks aren’t generally sought after in the fantasy world, but in devy, star corners are a little more valuable. Stingley’s youth, talent and the fact he plays for one of the best teams (LSU) in college football makes him the top cornerback in the game. As a freshman, he was sensational last year for the Tigers’ championship team. In his first year, all he did was record 38 tackles, 31 solos, six interceptions, and 15 pass breakups. Also, his bookend at the other corner is senior Kary Vincent Jr. (in my top 6 CBs) who is no slouch by any means. With such a talented pair it will be hard for teams to avoid either of them, and with that I expect another big year from Stingley. Devy owners have two more years of control of him at least. He looks to be a first round prospect for the 2022 NFL Draft.
#15 SO, LB, Nick Bolton, Missouri
Most people know star linebacker Cale Garrett as the heart of the Tigers’ defense, but when he went down with a season-ending pectoral muscle, it was Bolton who stepped up to the challenge. After playing the role of being mostly a special teams player, Bolton broke out in a big way with the Garrett injury opening a door for him. He would register 103 tackles, 74 solos, 8.5 tackles for a loss, two interceptions and seven pass breakups. Now with another experience and Garrett off to the NFL, look for Bolton to have a hell of a season next year.
#16 R-SR, DE, Quincy Roche, Miami
Here’s one of the most interesting players to keep an eye on this season. After graduating early from Temple, he transferred to Miami. Sound familiar? It should as I just mentioned him above when talking about his new teammate, Gregory Rousseau. Roche spent four seasons with the Owls and was a redshirt in his first season. An edge rusher for Temple, he improved every season and had his breakout season last year. As the AAC Defensive Player of the Year, he would lead the Conference in tackles for a loss (19) and sacks (13), while finishing seventh nationally in the latter. Now you put him in Miami as the bookend to Rousseau and Miami quite possibly have the nations best pair of defensive ends. Another big year from Roche will send his draft stock soaring.
#17 SR, Hamilcar Rashed, Oklahoma State
For the first two years at Oklahoma State, Rashed was mostly unknown, but after his break out season in 2019 that is no longer the case. He not only led the Pac-12 in tackles for a loss (23) but also the NCAA and he also led the Pac-12 in sacks (14). He should be one of the early candidates for the Pac-12 defensive player of the year. As an OLB he’ll be highly coveted in next year’s draft.
#18 JR, S, Jevon Holland, Oregon
Wow!! My third Duck on this list! Plus it’s three young studs at three different positions. First, we had DE Thibodeaux, then LB Flowe, and now I have the secondary covered with Holland. One of the few teams in the college landscape that have all three levels covered with talent. Holland has been a prize piece for the Ducks from the very start. In his two seasons in Eugene, he has led Oregon in interceptions each season with five as a freshman and four last season. His nine total picks are tops in the Pac-12 over that time. Entering his third season, I expect him to continue to be elite and with the talent playing in front of him, he could put up the best numbers of his career. I honestly think he’ll pass LeCounte on my list of top safeties this season.
#19 R-SR, DE, Carlos Basham Jr. Wake Forest
Here’s a player that has developed his game into one of the top defensive linemen in the nation. At 6’5”, 275 lbs., he can play both inside and out and is one of the more underrated players in college football. Last year for the Demon Deacons he finished among the ACC leaders in tackles for a loss (2nd), sacks (3rd), and forced fumbles (3rd). He passed on entering the NFL Draft this year and should have yet another dominant season for Wake Forest.
#20 JR, DE, Chris Rumph II, Duke
All the players on this list to this point have been starters, but Rumph is the first exception. He has played in all 24 games of his career but hasn’t started once. Despite no starts, he led the Blue Devils last season in tackles for a loss (13.5) and sacks (6.5). With that type of production, I expect a much bigger role for Rumph going forward. He’s a bit undersized for the edge position, so he will have to bulk up to be able to play that spot in the NFL. With an increased role the production should continue to get even better.
#21 JR, DT Jaylen Twyman, Pitt
The junior to be defensive tackle had a breakout season for the Panthers last season and finds himself in my top 25 defensive devy players for 2020. After being a backup/ rotational player as a freshman, he took over as a starter last season. With that new role, his production went up drastically. He led the team and finished second in the ACC in sacks with 10.5. That success has already placed him on the early watch list for the Outland Trophy Candidate (nation’s most outstanding interior lineman), Bronko Nagurski Trophy Candidate (nation’s most outstanding defensive player), and Chuck Bednarik Award Candidate (college football defensive player of the year). If he can produce elite numbers again, this could be his last year in the college ranks.
#22 R-JR, CB, Shaun Jolly, Appalachian State
I had my first cornerback at #14 and now have my second on this list. Appalachian State has been on the rise for some time and continues to produce quality NFL prospects, and Jolly will be no different. He was strictly a special teams player early on for the Mountaineers, but when given the chance to be a starter last year, he didn’t disappoint. During their incredible one-loss season, Jolly produced 45 tackles, 28 solo, five interceptions and eight pass breakups. With a lot of the same pieces on defense returning, I expect Jolly to have another excellent year. Teams will continue to doubt Appalachian State and Jolly, but both will prove them wrong.
#23 SR, CB, Elijah Molden, Washington
Back to back cornerbacks on my list tells you how close I have them graded. Molden had to wait behind Husky stars such as Byron Murphy and Myles Bryant, but now it’s his time to shine. Last year was his breakout year, as he posted career highs in tackles (79), tackles for a loss (5.5), interceptions (4), pass breakups (12) and forced fumbles (3). You can see what a playmaker he is and I expect that to continue this year.
#24 SR, DT, Marvin Wilson, Florida State
The Seminoles have a new head coach at the helm and with Wilson returning for his senior season, he will be much needed. Last year he suffered a hand injury but was still able to produce 8.5 tackles for a loss and five sacks, while only playing in nine games. Now that he’s healthy, I expect he’ll have his best season of his career. At 6’5”, 311 lbs., he is a run-stopping force, with the ability to rush the passer from the interior. This will make him highly coveted by NFL teams.
#25 JR, DE, Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
The next in line of star defensive linemen that the Wolverines have put in the NFL.
Thanks for reading my article and if you enjoyed it, you can read more of my articles here. You can also follow me on social media, on Twitter at Hollywood@DFF_DWin, on Facebook on my IDPNation page, on Reddit in the fantasy football IDP sub I’m user KingTitan1 and you can tune in each week and listen to the podcasts, IDP Nation that I co-host, on a number of different platforms. Feel free to hit me up with any questions that you have, as I’m always glad to help fellow IDPers. #IDPNation #IDP #IDPDevy
