Spread offenses and fast-paced tempos have increased the stress on defensive backfields all around college football.

The value of elite coverage has never been greater.

As we look ahead to the 2024 season, B/R is breaking down every position in every conference and projecting the best unit within each league. The choices are subjective but consider past production—including from transfers—and meaningful position-related context.

Earlier in this offseason series, we've checked on running backs and defensive lines. Next up: the secondary.

Note: Oregon State and Washington State, which are affiliated with the Mountain West in 2024, are considered within the MWC.

American, C-USA and MAC

AAC: UTSA Roadrunners

Charlotte has a transfer-infused unit on a defense that improved late in 2023 anyway. If the team struggles as anticipated, though, that potential strength may become an afterthought.

UTSA, on the other hand, should be part of the title race behind a solid secondary. Leading tackler Ken Robinson is back, along with fellow safety Elliott Davison. UTSA added Denver Harris, a recent top national recruit, and New Mexico starter Zach Morris in the portal to complement a breakout candidate in 6'3" corner Zah Frazier.

C-USA: Jacksonville State Gamecocks

Last season, the JSU defense nabbed 16 interceptions compared to 15 touchdown passes allowed. Second-team All-Conference USA pick Derek Carter headlines this deep returning group.

Along with Carter at cornerback, the Gamecocks have plenty of experience in Marco Baker, Jabari Mack and Geimere Latimer. At safety, Fred Perry amassed 75 tackles in 2023 while Ky'won McCray added 26 in a rotational spot. Transfer additions James Ziglor and Josh Knapp put up good numbers at lower levels last season, too.

MAC: Northern Illinois Huskies

After yielding 6.3 yards per pass in 2023, Northern Illinois should be expecting a dominant secondary this season.

Second-team All-MAC selection Javaughn Byrd is NIU's top name at corner, but Jashon Prophete, Jacob Finley and Amariyun Knighten were key contributors, too. Nate Valcarcel and Jordan Hansen are back at safety with reserves Muhammad Jammeh and Cyrus McGarrell. Without much hesitation, this rotation can go eight deep.

Mountain West and Sun Belt

MWC (and Pac-2): Wyoming Cowboys

Unleashing a consistently dangerous offense is Wyoming's main task, but that cannot come at the expense of its usual strength.

The foundation of this stout secondary begins at safety, where the Pokes return Wyett Ekeler and Isaac White. They combined for 138 tackles last season. Tyrecus Davis and Wrook Brown are back at corner, which needs a third starter but has promise in Keany Parks and Caleb Merritt.

Sun Belt: Appalachian State Mountaineers

Yes, it's a safe choice. Appalachian State has routinely cranked out high-level pass defenses. I'd rather be boring and correct, though.

Last year, cornerback Ethan Johnson landed second-team All-Sun Belt recognition as safety Jordan Favors snatched four interceptions. App State prioritized the portal this offseason, bringing in safety Myles Farmer—a former key starter at Nebraska—and lower-division standouts Avarion Cole and Jason Chambers.

ACC

The Pick: Virginia Tech Hokies

No team in the ACC snagged more interceptions than North Carolina State last season, and Clemson tends to excel in the secondary. Florida State and Miami pulled in some key transfers, as well.

However, don't sleep on the Hokies.

Last year, they finished fourth in yards allowed per pass within the conference. Virginia Tech returns six of the seven top contributors from that secondary, highlighted by third-team All-ACC corner Dorian Strong.

Three players—Star/nickel Keonta Jenkins, cornerback Mansoor Delane and safety Jalen Stroman—all notched 50-plus tackles. Jaylen Jones and Mose Phillips III added 35 and 27 more, respectively.

Big Ten

The Pick: Iowa Hawkeyes

Drop your pitchforks, Ohio State fans. I'd be entirely unbothered at the idea of the Buckeyes as the pick.

Last season, OSU paced the nation with 5.0 yards allowed per pass attempt. Iowa, meanwhile, ended second at 5.1. Both defensive backfields return a bunch of talent, so it's practically a coin flip.

Ohio State boasts a talent advantage, but Iowa is capable of edging the Bucks in the production department—partly due to a softer schedule.

We're splitting the finest of hairs.

Iowa nickelback Sebastian Castro was a third-team AP All-American last season. Xavier Nwankpa and Quinn Schulte are a spectacular duo at safety, providing a sturdy foundation for an annually elite defense.

While replacing star corner Cooper DeJean is no easy task, his November leg injury gave Deshaun Lee an early run in a starting role. John Nestor and T.J. Hall are also contenders to fill DeJean's snaps.

Big 12

The Pick: Iowa State Cyclones

If you're keeping score, Iowa State is my pick on the defensive line and in the secondary for the Big 12.

Seems it should be a good defensive year in Ames, no?

Third-team AP All-American corner T.J. Tampa is gone, yet the Cyclones are built to keep thriving on the back end. All three starting safeties—top tackler Beau Freyler, first-team All-Big 12 pick Jeremiah Cooper and Malik Verdon—remain on this intriguing defense.

Myles Purchase is a veteran starter at cornerback, and Jontez Williams served as a primary backup in 2023.

Building depth in coverage is key, but Iowa State has a terrific list of safeties with Jamison Patton and Drew Surges also in reserve.

SEC

The Pick: Georgia Bulldogs

One of these positions won't belong to Georgia, I promise. So far, however, the Dawgs are a perfect 3-for-3.

The featured player in this secondary is Malaki Starks, who's either the best safety in the country or very close to that. He roamed center field for a defense that surrendered an SEC-low 5.8 yards per pass, securing first-team AP All-America honors in 2023.

Next to Starks will be JaCorey Thomas or Dan Jackson, a sixth-year veteran with spot-starts in each of the last three seasons.

Daylen Everette returns at corner, while UGA is expected to lean on Julian Humphrey opposite him and Joenel Aguero at Star. David Daniel-Sisavanh may factor into the rotation, while 5-star freshman Ellis Robinson is another to watch at cornerback.