2021 CFN Preseason All-America Team: Defense

Who are the best and brightest stars going into the 2021 season? The CFN Preseason All-America Team – the defense.

CFN 2021 All-America Defensive Tackles

CFN 2021 First Team All-America Defensive Tackles

Bryan Bresee, Soph. Clemson
Quick, quick, quick, Bresee went from being one of the top recruits of the 2020 class to a First Team All-ACC performer right away. He might have only made 23 tackles with four sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss, but he was banged up for a stretch and had to fight through a knee injury. The scary part is that he’s up to 6-5 and 300 pounds – and he’s still ultra-quick. The scarier part is that he’s just getting started.
Clemson Preview | Schedule

DeMarvin Leal, Jr. Texas A&M
The NFL is more than ready for the services of the 6-4, 290-pound all-around rock of a tackle. He’s tough on the interior against the run and can handle the double teams when needed, but he’s at his best when he gets to use his fast first step to get behind the line. He made 4.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss in his first two seasons – along with 75 tackles – but the stats don’t quite do him justice.
Texas A&M Preview | Schedule 

CFN 2021 Second Team All-America Defensive Tackles

Jordan Davis, Sr. Georgia
Of course everyone is looking for the do-it-all athletic presence for the interior, but there’s also something to be said for the 6-6, 340-pound brick wall who gums up the works between the hashmarks. Davis can move – five sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss in his three years – but his job is to stop the run, and he’s one of the best at it in college football.
Georgia Preview | Schedule

Tyler Davis, Jr. Clemson
Davis isn’t the freakish future NFL superstar that tackle-mate Bryan Bresee is, but he’s been able to do his part for the amazing Clemson run defense over the last few years. The place has become a factory for phenomenal DTs, and the 6-2, 300-pounder kept it all going with 45 tackles with 6.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss in his first season.

He followed it up with 14 tackles with two sacks and five tackles for loss in 2020, but he was hurt almost all year. Expect 2019 again, especially with blocking schemes freaking out over Bresee.
Clemson Preview | Schedule

CFN 2021 Honorable Mention All-America Defensive Tackles

5. Haskell Garrett, Sr. Ohio State
6. Dante Stills, Sr. West Virginia
7. Isaiah Thomas, Sr. Oklahoma
8. Perrion Winfrey, Sr. Oklahoma
9. Zacch Pickens, Jr. South Carolina
10. Kurt Hinish, Sr. Notre Dame
11. CJ Brewer, Sr. Coastal Carolina
12. DJ Dale, Jr. Alabama

2021 CFN All-America Team: Defense
DE/Edge Rush | LB | CB | Saf

NEXT: CFN 2021 All-America Linebackers