1. Travis Hunter, Colorado

He will draw the opponents’ best receiving option and has the ability to be a lockdown defender.

Hunter averaged .89 passes defended per game in 2023. As teams shy away from throwing to his side those numbers may drop but he is always a threat to make a play on defense.

A dynamic all-around player, especially on defense.

2. Tecario Davis, Arizona

His 1.23 passes defended per game a season ago were the eighth most in the nation.

After entering the portal in the offseason, he chose to remain in Tucson. That was a huge get for the Wildcats and Davis will be a thorn in the side of Big 12 offensive coordinators all season.

3. Jabbar Muhammad, Oregon

The highly sought-after transfer can also make plays in the backfield with a couple of sacks last season and five TFLs.

He is one of a ton of new names in the Oregon secondary, but he will solidify that unit instantly.

4. Ike Larsen, Utah State

Along with his four interceptions last season, he also concluded his sophomore year with 103 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss.

Larson also holds the Utah State record for most blocked kicks in a career with five.

5. Cameron Oliver, UNLV

His career total of 10 interceptions ranks as the second-most nationally among active FBS players in 2024.

Oliver played a huge role in the turnaround in Vegas last year, and if the Rebels are to stay near the top, they’ll need another stellar season out of the senior.

6. Jack Howell, Colorado State

In 2023 he broke up three passes and added three QB hurries to go along with his interception. He also recorded nine games with at least nine tackles.

In 2024 the Rams will again need him to anchor the back end of the defense and provide big plays.

7. Shamari Simmons, Arizona State

In his first season with the Sun Devils, he was named the team’s MVP.

Simmons is the kind of player Kenny Dillingham and his staff can build around at the back end of the defense. Look for another big season for him with ASU.

8. Craig Woodson, Cal

Last year, he had a career year with 812 tackles, 3.5 TFL, a couple of forced fumbles, four passes broken up, and an interception.

He was all over the place last season and will be a key cog for the Bears as they move to the ACC.

9. Avante Dickerson, Utah State

This season he should find himself tasked with shutting down the opponent’s best receiver.

He finished his first season in Logan with six passes broken up and should see those numbers go up in 2024 with a more prominent role ahead of him.

10. Treydan Stukes, Arizona

The All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention honoree had 10 passed defended in 2023.

Stukes is good enough that opponents will not be able to avoid Tecario Davis at all times.

11. Jakob Robinson, BYU

Last season he ended up with 11 passes defended and ranked 19th in the nation with four interceptions.

He excelled in a BYU secondary that was very good in 2023.

12. Shilo Sanders, Colorado

But it is nice to know they count on him to make the plays at the back end of the defense. Not only did Sanders lead CU with 70 tackles but he also tied for the Pac-12 lead with 55 solo stops.

Sanders doubled as a ball hawk. His four fumbles forced were the most in the nation for a DB and he added a pick-six and four passes defended on the year.

Honorable Mention

Marcus Harris, Cal

Marcus Harris was a standout at Idaho and one of the top DBs in the transfer portal last season. He has a nose for the football with 35 career pass breakups and six interceptions with two of them going to paydirt.

Zamaiah Vaughn, Utah

He defended seven passes in 2023 and contributed five TFLs and an interception. The best corner on a Utah team that always has talent in the secondary.

Dontae Manning, Oregon

A mainstay off the bench for the Ducks in 2023, he finished the season with seven passes defended, including his first career interception. This season he should see more production with a more prominent role.

Jaylin Davies, UCLA

Davies had a team-best seven passes defended in 2023 and will need to produce even more this season as the front seven undergoes some changes. If he can be a lock-down defender the Bruins could find success.

Kamari Ramsey, USC

He comes across LA from UCLA and will be asked to step up for the Trojans as they transition to the Big Ten. He had six passes defended for the Bruins last season and made 2.5 stops for a loss as a physical safety.

Devin Kirkwood, UCLA

Kirkwood is due for a breakout season for the Bruins. He has shown flashes throughout his career this could be the season it all comes together for him.