Afternoon Kickoff 8/28 (Footblog)

We've reached the last college football-less weekend of the summer, and with this Friday's list, we take a look at the nation's Top 10 Defensive Players.

10. Morgan Burnett, Georgia Tech junior ROV
The 6-foot-1, 198-pound Burnett was a big-time playmaker in the Georgia Tech secondary, leading the team with 93 tackles while finishing tied for first nationally with seven interceptions. The ball-hawking junior rover was a third team All-American and is sure to be in the mix again for national honors.

9. Navorro Bowman, Penn State junior OLB
Some off-the-field issues have been a distraction, but when playing, Bowman is a force on the strong side. A 6-foot-1, 230-pound junior, Bowman emerged in the absence of Sean Lee in '08 and led the Nittany Lions with 106 tackles and had 12.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. With excellent range and tacklign ability, Bowman is helping to continue the Linebacker U tradition.

8. Rolando McClain, Alabama junior MLB
The Crimson Tide return nine starters to one of the nation's defenses, and McClain is part of a duo in the middle that will make it nearly impossible for opposing tailbacks to have success between the tackles. At 6-foot-4, 249 pounds, McClain looks like an NFL linebacker and plays like one too. He led 'Bama with 95 tackles and nine tackles for loss and will probably see his numbers increase in '09.

7. Jerry Hughes, TCU senior DE
A potential first-round pick as a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL, Hughes returned for his senior season after earning Mountain West defensive player of the year and first team All-American honors. Hughes led the nation with15 sacks in '08 and is an absolute force as a pass rusher. He seems like a near-lock to be the conference's top defensive player again.

6. Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma senior DT
Defense is not really a priority in the Big 12, and given the talent on Oklahoma's offense the defense only needs to be average for the Sooners to win. But there are some big-time stars on the unit, led by elite NFL prospect McCoy. The 6-foot-4, 295-pound junior is a disruptive force in the middle and had 6.5 sacks last year.

5. Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska senior DT
Defensive tackles rarely post flashy statistics, but Suh is an exception. After a solid first two seasons, the 6-foot-4, 300-pound Suh became a star last year when he led the Cornhuskers in tackles with 76, tackles for loss with 19 and sacks with 7.5. He's a potential top-10 pick in the draft.

4. Brandon Spikes, Florida senior MLB
Spikes could have easily turned pro after helping lead the Gators to a national title, but he decided to return as the leader of a defense that allowed just 12.9 points per game and returns all 11 starters. Spikes is an intimidating presence in the middle at 6-foot-3, 243 pounds, and he led the Gators with 93 tackles and also intercepted four passes. After earning first team All-Ameircan honors, Spikes appears to be the top candidate for the Butkus Award.

3. Terrence Cody, Alabama senior DT
After transferring from junior college, Cody promptly made a name for himself and became a first team All-American. He doesn't put up big numbers, but his statistics are more or less irrelevant. At a mammoth 6-foot-5, 365 pounds, Cody's job is simple as the nose guard: Clog the middle and take up blockers. He did just that last year in anchoring the nation's No. 2 run defense.

2. Taylor Mays, USC senior FS
Mays surprised everyone by returning for his senior season, as he has freakish athletic ability for his big 6-foot-3, 230-pound frame. Mays is like a fourth linebacker on the field at free safety with his ability to hit, and he also boasts excellent range and can make plays anywhere on the field.

1. Eric Berry, Tennessee junior SS
His Heisman campaign is underway, and while he has no shot at the award, Berry is absolutely one of the best overall players in the nation. Berry is excellent in coverage and intercepted seven passes last year, along with making 72 tackles. The SEC's defensive player of the year as a sophomore, Berry has a good chance at repeating while also collecting a Bednarik Award.

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Quick Hits:
-The Big Ten is officially out of the Alamo Bowl starting in 2010, as the San Antonio game signed a deal with the Pac-10 to host the league's No. 2 team. The Big 12 is expected to re-sign with the Alamo Bowl soon, meaning the game will basically steal the Holiday Bowl's matchup.

-Jewel Hampton's knee injury will keep him out of Iowa's Sept. 5 opener with Northern Iowa and possibly longer. It could be a significant blow to a Hawkeyes' offense that lost 1,800-yard tailback Shonn Greene.

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Video of the Day:
A taste's of Eric Berry tremendous ability to make big plays: