A few days ago, we discussed Nick Saban’s statement that Alabama football opponents have a unique challenge defending Jalen Milroe. Does the SEC have a player like that on defense? The SEC has some great defensive players. Some can be legit game-changers. But one player does not make a defense. Offenses can scheme around one great defender. Such a task becomes far more difficult when an opponent has two, three, or more elite defenders.

The Football Writers Association has announced the 2024 Watch List for the Nagurski Trophy. It is a long list with 75 players from 56 teams. Nineteen of the 75 are SEC football players. Twelve SEC teams are represented. SEC teams with no players selected are Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Florida, and Auburn.

The Georgia Bulldogs lead the SEC with three defenders selected. Alabama, Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and Kentucky have two each. Alabama Crimson Tide players selected are linebacker, Deontae Lawson and defensive back, Malachi Moore.

The 10 Nagurski nominees Alabama’s offense will face in the regular season, includes nine from SEC teams and Wisconsin safety, Hunter Wohler. Which of the ten presents the greatest challenge to the Crimson Tide? An answer does not include which defender is the best player. Credible arguments can be made that LSU’s Harold Perkins and Tennessee’s James Pearce are SEC Defensive Player of the Year candidates. But neither player has enough roster help allowing them to spark an upset win over the Crimson Tide.

Oklahoma safety Billy Bowman is an outstanding player. He has roster help in linebacker, Danny Stutsman. By the end of the season, the Sooners could have a tough defense. It is Georgia though that provides the greatest defensive challenge to the Crimson Tide. Take your pick; safety Malaki Starks, linebacker Smael Mondon, and defensive end Mykel Williams will challenge the Crimson Tide from every level of the Bulldogs’ defense.