The Stonebreaker Award: Week 2 Standings

I spent a good chunk of Week 2's games firmly planted on Langston's couch, where we got a chance to watch our respective teams (Notre Dame and Tennessee for those scoring at home) lose in different, yet equally painful fashion. All in all, week 2 was for lack of a better word, zany. Virginia Tech lost to JMU, Florida St. got murdered by Oklahoma, and the U. lost its chance at redemption against the Buckeyes at home. What this means within the scope and context of this little award, is that the top 25 has already had 8 teams fall out from week 1. As I mentioned last week, your team has to be in the top 25 for you to gain a spot in my rankings. Last week's number 1 for example, Lance Mitchell of Oregon St. is out because the Beavers fell out of the poll. After two weeks, here's the top 25 defensive players in the land.

1. Wayne Daniels SR. DE, TCU: Granted he played against Tennessee Tech, whom I'm guessing doesn't have any offensive linemen on Mel Kiper's big board, Daniels had another 1.5 sacks after his 2 against Oregon St. the previous week. (Season Totals: 7 Tackles, 3.5 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble, 5 TFL's)

2. Ahmad Black, SR.  S, Florida: Florida's defense, and especially their DB's have been by far a strong point as their offense continues to look shaky. Against USF, Black had 8 tackles and 2 of the Gator's 4 Int's. (Season Totals: 20 Tackles, 3 Int's, 1.5 TFL's)

3. Jamell Fleming JR. CB, Oklahoma: Fleming picked off Christian Ponder for his 2nd in two weeks. He added 4 tackles and a pass breakup. (Season Totals: 14 Tackles, 2 Ints, 1 TFL, 3 Breakups)

4. Chimdi Chekwa, SR. CB, Ohio St: Chekwa wasn't even my top 25 after week 1, yet moved up with 6 tackles, 2 Int's, and 2 breakups. Ohio St's defense looked great in victimizing potential Heisman candidate Jacory Harris, with Chekwa helping to lead the way. (Season Totals: 9 Tackles, 2 Ints, 1 FF, 1 TFL, 3 Breakups).

5. Janoris Jenkins, JR. CB, Florida: Like I mentioned previously, Florida's DB's have been great so far, and potential first rounder Jenkins continued to loom large with another interception, a sack, and a TFL. Season Totals: 6 Tackles, 1 Sack, 2 Int's, 2 TFL's, 4 Breakups).

6. Anthony Leon, SR. S, Arkansas: Leon had a bigger week in the first game, but his 2 sacks and 4 TFL's keep him in the top 10. Leon had 5 more tackles against Louisiana Monroe. (Season Totals: 13 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 4 TFL's).

6. Sam Acho SR. DE, Texas: In the mold of Brian Orakpo and Sergio Kindle the last 2 years, Acho is Texas' next stud pass rusher. Acho had 5 tackles, a sack, and 3 TFL's this week. (Season Totals: 9 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 1 FF, and 4 TFL's).

8. Nick Fairley, JR. DT, Auburn: The SEC's defensive player of the week lead the Tigers against Mississippi St. with 5 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and an Int. (Season Totals: 9 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 1 Int, 4 TFL's).

9. Olivier Vernon, Soph. DE, Miami: Much like Leon, Vernon piggybacked off of his Week 1 performance to stay in the top 10. Vernon had 3 tackles against OSU, but his 3.5 sacks and 3.5 TFL's keep him in the rankings. (Season Totals: 10 Tackles, 3.5 Sacks, 3.5 TFL's).

10. Antoine Carter, SR. DE, Auburn: Teaming up with Fairley, Carter also has been getting a lot of pressure on QB's, with 0.5 sacks, 0.5 TFL's, and 5 tackles this week. (Season Totals: 9 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 4 TFL's).

10. Robert Lester, Soph. S, Alabama: Lester continues the run of SEC DB's in the top 10, as he picked off another pass against Penn St. Lester had 5 stops and an Int for the week. (Season Totals: 6 Tackles, 1 Sack, 2 Ints, 1 TFL, 1 Breakup).

Best of the Rest

12. Shea McClellin, Boise St.
13. Justin Houston, Georgia
14. Dejon Gomes, Nebraska
15. Tyler Moeller, Ohio St.
16. Lavonte David, Nebraska
17. T.J. McDonald, USC
17. Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma
19. Eddie Jones, Texas
20. Brian Blechan, Utah
20. Sean Spence, Miami
22. Kelvin Sheppard, LSU
22. Drake Nevis, LSU
24. Chaz Walker, Utah
25. Ross Rasner, Arkansas
25. Jakar Hamilton, Georgia
25. Brandon Boykin, Georgia
25. Quinton Carter, Oklahoma
25. Brandon Hogan, West Virginia

For Week 3, We have no more Virginia Tech, FSU, Georgia Tech, Georgia, or BYU. Stanford, Michigan, Houston, Cal, and Missouri join the fray. This could cause a lot of moves within the rankings. After two weeks, however, it's Wayne Daniels and Ahmad Black at the front of the pack.