After presenting our “other” All-American offensive team on Friday, we continue with the defensive selections. Like their offensive counterparts, these players were overlooked in favor of more heralded names such as Tamba Hali, A.J. Hawk, Elvis Dumervil, and Darnell Bing on the traditional All-American teams. Whereas some of our offensive selections were recipients of national honors despite not being household names, this group is even further off the beaten path. Many come from “mid major” programs, and none received so much as a second-team All-America nod from the Associated Press. But they all had a tremendous impact on their teams.

DE DAN BAZUIN, Central Michigan
6-foot-3, 257, Junior
28.5 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, 5 forced fumbles

Bazuin’s name is all over the NCAA’s defensive statistical leaders, but not found among the first, second, or third team AP All-American lists. He led the nation in tackles-for-loss, ranked second in sacks, and tied for fourth in forced fumbles. His outstanding play helped Central Michigan achieve a 6-5 record and its first winning campaign since 1998.

DE MARIO WILLIAMS, N.C. State
6-foot-7, 285, Junior
13 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hurries

Williams’s height and reach make for natural comparisons to another star defensive end who emerged from Tobacco Road: Carolina Panthers star Julius Peppers. Still a raw talent, Williams has incredible athletic ability and the speed to blow past offensive tackles to get to the quarterback. He was fourth in the nation in sacks and tied for sixth in tackles for loss, helping to lead an N.C. State unit that ranked 14th overall in total defense.

Honorable Mention: Kevin Howe, E. Michigan, 6-foot-3, 236, Junior. 10.5 sacks,16.5 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles

DT BRODRICK BUNKLEY, Florida St.
6-foot-3, 291, Senior
57 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 9 sacks

Perhaps the best pass-rushing defensive tackle in the nation, Bunkley was second in the nation with 23 tackles for loss, which established a new school record, and added nine sacks. He was only second-team all-ACC, but was a disruptive force on the line of scrimmage in the Seminoles’ upset win over Virginia Tech in the conference championship game, a win that propelled Florida State into the BCS.

DT RAMEL MEEKINS, Rutgers
6-feet, 280, Junior
9 sacks, 58 tackles, 15 tackles for loss

Meekins was a major contributor to a Rutgers defense that finished second in the nation in sacks, one behind Nebraska. Meekins was selected as the outstanding defensive player on a Rutgers team that captured its first bowl bid in 27 seasons. His nine sacks were among the highest totals in the nation for defensive tackles.

Honorable Mention Jesse Mahelona, Tennessee, 6-foot-2,297, Senior.35 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 2 sacks
LB JIMMY COTTRELL, New Mexico St.
6-foot-1, 238, Senior
179 tackles (90 solo), 4 passes defensed

Cottrell’s team, New Mexico State, suffered through a winless season, but the team’s ineptitude afforded the smallish linebacker plenty of opportunities to showcase his skills. He led the nation in total tackles with nearly 15 per game and registered 90 solo stops, including 16 against Colorado. He finished his Aggie career with 463 total tackles, leading the team all four seasons.

LB ABDUL HODGE, Iowa 6-foot-2, 234, Senior
139 carries (82 solo), 3 forced fumbles

Hodge was overshadowed by teammate Chad Greenway, a second-team AP All-America selection, but we prefer Hodge’s all-around playmaking skills. He was sixth nationally in both total tackles and solo stops, and also among the nation’s leaders in forced fumbles. Hodge was at his best in a 23-20 loss to Michigan in October, making 14 solo tackles.

LB COLE SNYDER, Idaho 5-foot-11, 230, Senior
139 carries (93 solo), 15.5 tackles for loss

The undersized Snyder was second in the nation in solo tackles and tied for sixth in total stops, ranked 24th in tackles for loss, and added three interceptions. Despite a 2-9 season, Snyder capped his career with an unbelievable final game: 17 tackles, an interception, a blocked extra point (which he returned for two points), and a safety in a 26-18 loss to San Jose St.

Honorable Mention: Anthony Trucks, Oregon. 6-foot-1, 226, Senior. 85 tackles, 51 solo, 4 forced fumbles

CB AARON GIPSON, Oregon 5-foot-9, 179, Senior
7 interceptions, 12 passes defensed, 1 blocked kick

Despite being one of the smallest position players in college football, Gipson recorded seven interceptions to lead the nation and added five pass breakups for a total of 12 passes defensed. He capped his regular-season Oregon career with a monster game against arch-rival Oregon State in the “Civil War:” two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, and five total tackles. Oregon won, 56-14.

CB DEANDRE JACKSON, Iowa St. 6-feet, 190, Senior
5 interceptions, 12 passes defensed, 4 forced fumbles

Jackson proved to be quite a gamebreaker in the Iowa State secondary, ranking in the top 10 nationally with five interceptions and four forced fumbles. He also served as the Cyclones’ primary kick returner, averaging better than 25 yards per attempt.

Honorable Mention: Jelani Jordan, Bowling Green.5-foot-10, 177, Senior.6 interceptions, 12 passes defensed, 55 tackles

S ANTHONY SMITH, Syracuse 6-foot-1, 194, Senior
6 interceptions, 14 passes defensed, 71 tackles

Smith was a bright spot in an otherwise miserable year for Syracuse, as his six interceptions tied for second-best in the nation with Bowling Green’s Jelani Jordan. His efforts – which also included three sacks, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and a blocked kick – earned him All-Big East and team MVP honors, as well as an invite to the upcoming Senior Bowl.

S JOE STURDIVANT, S. Methodist 6-foot-2, 210, Junior
122 tackles (63 solo), 14 passes defensed

Sturdivant ranked among the nation’s elite in pass breakups (12th), total tackles (21st), and solo stops (29th). His season included a two-interception day in an upset win at UAB in October, and he registered, 10, 13, and 14 tackles in SMU’s season-ending three-game winning streak.

Honorable Mention: Ko Simpson, South Carolina. 6-foot-1, 201, Sophomore. 94 tackles, 65 solo, 10 passes defensed

Mr. Levine is a regular writer for FootballOutsiders.com.