Rival Views: September provides Heisman case for top defenders

Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell and National Recruiting Analyst Adam Gorney don’t always see eye to eye. In this edition of Rival Views, the two debate which defensive player should be higher on the Heisman list

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I think it’s Peppers. Now, I know he’s already just outside the top five or so on many lists but, between his special teams skill, his spot duty on offense and his ability to play safety or linebacker without missing a beat, I think he should be higher.

I think a case could easily be made that Peppers is the most dynamic player in college football when you factor in everything he does. That same argument could be made that he’s the best pure defender. Peppers is second for Michigan in tackles, he is tied for the national lead in tackles for a loss with 9.5, he’s first in the nation in punt return yards and he will run out of room on his helmet for stickers by the beginning of November if not sooner. But most importantly, Peppers is the unquestioned leader of a team that just a few years ago was the butt of jokes in the Big Ten.

Peppers hasn’t really shown what he can do on offense yet, mainly because the Wolverines have blown out everyone they've played, outscoring their opponents 208-55, and he hasn't been needed. But watch for Peppers' offensive contributions to increase as Michigan faces teams like Wisconsin this weekend and Ohio State and Michigan State down the road.

Peppers will garner Heisman attention because he is a factor on special teams and will see more action on offense, but you’d be hard-pressed to find one player in the nation more important to his defense alone. Myles Garrett at Texas A&M, Steven Taylor at Houston, Arden Key at LSU and Ohio State defensive backs Malik Hooker and Marshon Lattimore could also be mentioned, but Peppers is the one I’d take.

Myles Garrett only has 11 tackles through four games but he’s so productive and disruptive in other ways that he should be considered one of the top defensive players in college football.

The Texas A&M junior defensive end and former five-star prospect has five tackles for loss including three sacks, six quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery, and he didn’t play a significant portions of the second half last weekend against Arkansas with what looked like a shin or ankle injury.

Garrett draws such attention from opposing offensive linemen that it frees up others to make plays. Texas A&M is allowing only 3.2 yards per carry and has given up only four rushing touchdowns all season.

Some believe Garrett could be the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s NFL Draft and that could very well be the case. He’s a franchise defensive end, he’s been phenomenal at A&M and if he continues to play so well why not invite him to New York City for the Heisman Trophy ceremony?

He might be the most dominant player in college football even if it’s really an award for the best offensive player.