I made this thread ten years ago and it's still true. Defensive line is the most important position for championships.
Bad QBs win titles. Look at Georgia this year and some of the other teams on this list. Even bad coaches win titles. But teams need great defensive linemen to win titles. It's the separator and the most expensive commodity. WR has been extremely important lately, but the importance of DL goes back decades.
Miami 2001- William Joseph (1st), Vince Wilfork (1st), Jerome McDougle (1st), Andrew Williams (3rd)
OSU 2002- Will Smith (1st), Kenny Peterson (3rd), Tim Anderson (3rd), Darrion Scott (3rd)
USC 2003- Keneche Udeze (1st), Mike Patterson (1st), Shaun Cody (2nd), Frostee Rucker (3rd)
LSU 2003- Marcus Spears, (1st) Kyle Williams, (5th- All Pro), Marquise Hill (2nd)
USC 2004 - Mike Patterson (1st), Shaun Cody (2nd), Frostee Rucker (3rd)
Texas 2005- Brian Orapko (1st), Tim Crowder (2nd), Brian Robison (4th)
Alabama 2006- Derrick Harvey (1st), Jarvis Moss (1st), Ray McDonald (3rd)
LSU 2007- Tyson Jackson (1st), Glenn Dorsey (1st)
Florida 2008- Carlos Dunlap (2nd), Jermaine Cunningham (2nd)
Alabama 2009- Marcell Dareus (1st), Terrance Cody (2nd)
Auburn 2010- Nick Fairley (1st)
Alabama 2011-2012- Courtney Upshaw (2nd), Jesse Williams (5th), Damion Square (8-year pro), Josh Chapman (5th), Ed Stinson (5th)
FSU 2013- Eddie Goldman (2nd), Timmy Jernigan (2), Mario Edwards (2), DeMarcus Walker (2nd)
OSU 2014- Joey Bosa (1), Adolphus Washington (3), Michael Bennett (6)
Alabama 2015- Jonathan Allen (1st), A'Shawn Robinson (2), Jarran Reed (2), Daron Payne (1), Dalvin Tomlinson (2)
Clemson 2016- Christian Wilkins (1), Dexter Lawrence (1), Clelin Ferrell (1), Carlos Watkins (4)
Alabama 2017- Daron Payne (1), Raekwon Davis (2nd), Quinnen Williams (1st), Da'Shawn Hand (4),
Clemson 2018- Clelin Ferrell (1), Christian Wilkins (1), Dexter Lawrence (1), Austin Bryant (4)
LSU 2019- K'Lavon Chaisson (1), Tyler Shelvin (4), Rashard Lawrence (4), Neil Farrell Jr. (4th)
Alabama 2020- Will Anderson (future Top 5 pick), Christian Barmore (2), Phidarian Mathis (2nd)
Georgia 2021- Travon Walker (1st), Jordan Davis (1st), Devonte Wyatt (1st), Jalen Carter (future 1st), Nolan Smith (future 1st)
As Miami gets further and further away from its glory days, a question dawned on me: What is the common thread among national champions? In other words, what is keeping Miami from the top? One theory is that it's quarterback play. But AJ McCarron just won a title, and Matt Mauck and Greg...
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