No. 7 – Jackson State defensive end Joseph LeBeau
If Adrian Hamilton didn’t play one down last year at Prairie View, Joseph LeBeau would have been regarded as the best defensive player in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
And for good reason. His speed and burst off the edge was a task for opposing offensive lines each week.
The defensive lineman recorded 16 sacks, 24.5 tackles for loss and 75 tackles overall in 2011, which was good for being named an All-American and 2012 preseason SWAC Defensive Player of the Year.
LeBeau will be the anchor of a unit in that ranked No. 1 in total defense a year ago, and features possibly the deepest and most talented front seven in the conference with the likes of linebacker Todd Wilcher, defensive back Qua Cox and interior presence Johnathan Billups.
If LeBeau is able to live up lofty expectations, there is no reason the defense can’t duplicate the production of last season, and setup the senior for pro opportunities down the road.
