One week remains of the 2026-26 college football regular season. Rivalry week is here and by the end of the weekend, conference championship game tickets will be punched. In less than two weeks, the College Football Playoff field will be set.
As the postseason approaches, so does award season. The Heisman Trophy will be awarded seven days after conference title games. The Heisman is the sport’s top individual honor, but there’s plenty of hardware to go around.
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That includes the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Defenses have led the SEC this year. Inconsistent QB and offensive line play across the conference has given several defenders a chance to make a mark. These stars have one more week to finalize their resume in hopes of earning all-conference honors.
Here are the top candidates for the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year.
5. CJ Allen, Georgia linebacker
Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Davon Booth (21) is tackled by Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen
Allen was a breakout defender in 2024 and has built on that success in 2025.
Allen is one of the more physical linebackers in the SEC. That usually goes without saying for Kirby Smart’s backers. Most of Allen’s snaps come at your prototypical middle linebacker spot, but Allen has the size and strength to set the edge vs. SEC offensive linemen.
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According to PFF, Allen is the fourth-best graded defender in the SEC and the top middle linebacker. He’s made 35 stops while notching four sacks and three pass breakups.
4. Xavier Atkins, Auburn linebacker
Atkins is enjoying a breakout year on the Plains after transferring from LSU. Atkins leads the SEC with 47 stops and 66 solo tackles, according to PFF.
It’s rare to find an off-ball linebacker who can impact the game like Atkins. He’s one of the SEC’s top run defenders, while also racking up 21 pressures and eight sacks. Just for good measure, Atkins has a pick and three forced fumbles.
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Auburn’s defense is one of the best in the SEC — Atkins creating havoc is a big part of that.
3. Mansoor Delane, LSU cornerback
LSU was tasked with rebuilding its secondary in the transfer portal. Delane was the crown jewel of LSU’s defensive haul and quickly after arriving in Baton Rouge, LSU was convinced it signed the best corner in the portal. That’s proven to be the case in 2025.
Delane made his name known Week 1 vs. Clemson. He was targeted eight times in that game, allowing a single catch. His tape caught the attention of NFL scouts.
Delane has continued to perform at that level, even as LSU football’s season was derailed. He’s PFF’s top graded defender in the SEC and on track to be a first-round NFL draft pick.
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It’s hard for a cornerback to win DPOY, and LSU is out of the conference race, but Delane is as deserving as anyone.
2. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M defensive end
Howell’s physical tools are on another planet. He’s the prototypical edge rusher NFL scouts wish they could create in a lab.
Howell leads the SEC with 12 sacks and is the best player on a defense that’s 11-0 and on the verge of a historic season in College Station. We can debate whether team success should play a significant role when voting for individual awards, but it does.
On top of his sack total, Howell’s pass rush win rate of 21.8% is the best in the SEC. He’s racked up 38 pressures and made 19 stops.
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Howell and Texas’s Colin Simmons are fairly easy picks to be the SEC’s first-team defensive ends this year. Howell flashed in 2024, but he’s made himself some money this fall and should be one of the top picks in the NFL Draft.
1. Colin Simmons, Texas defensive end
Nov 22, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Colin Simmons (1) reacts after a fumble was recovered for a touchdown during the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Few players began 2025 with expectations as high as Simmons — the sophomore has exceeded them all.
Simmons is PFF’s top graded front-seven player in the SEC. He’s registered 45 pressures and 27 stops, off-the-chart production. The former five-star is brutally consistent, racking up four pressures or more in seven straight games.
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He’s dominant vs. the run and the pass and nearly impossible to block one-on-one. Simmons has been the definition of an impact defender in 2025.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Ranking SEC football’s top defensive player of the year candidates
