Elvis Dumervil is one of the best defensive players. Just look at his QB sack numbers, forced fumbles, tackles. But more important is how he causes the opposing offenses to adjust their schemes to contain him, often devoting two and three men. He free's up team mates to make plays as well
-- Kevin Sulzer, Louisville (12:26 p.m.)

A.J. Hawk has 109 total tackles,60 solo, 13 for loss, including 7.5 sacks. He also has 1 INT, 3 pass breakups, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble and a TD on a blocked punt return. He was the reason OSU had a chance against Texas. A.J. Hawk is the man on defense.
-- Nate, Chattanooga, Tenn. (12:31 p.m.)

DeMeco Ryans would have to be my choice for 2 reasons: He's the defensive leader of one of the nation's toughest squads. He leads the team in tackles, and second in sacks. But the best stat: He takes his school work as serious as he does football.
-- Steve Nafus, Huntsville, Ala. (12:41 p.m.)

Ko Simpson the saftey from THE University of South Carolina deserves the defensive Heisman in my book, he has been the back bone this year for a defense that has stopped big scoring threats in the SEC all year long.
-- Ko Simpson, Kissimmee, Fla. (12:51 p.m.)

Patrick Willis - Ole Miss LB Best defensive player in the country - period
-- John Batte, Huntsville, Ala. (1:06 p.m.)

STEVE, Are you for realy??? Ryans has as many total tackles as Hawk has solo tackles. Hawk has twice as many tackles for loss twice as many sacks and he is one the 5 defense in the country. Also Ryans is on the 3 best D in the country. Their is a big gap in those numbers. How do you justify picking Ryans... He would not even start at Ohio State With Carpenter and Schlegel. I admit I am a homer, but I have stats to back up A.J. Hawk as my pick.
-- Nate, Chattanooga, Tenn. (1:16 p.m.)

Hard to argue with Elvis Dumervil or the Penn State duo, but A.J. Hawk is definitely the better "all around" player. I'm a Michigan fan that can admit that. They play offense in the SEC???
-- Jason, San Diego (1:25 p.m.)

Theres only one guy who comes close; he holds the offense to less plays every game and seems to be getting better at it each day. Jeff Bowden gets my vote, he's the best defensive player on any team that plays Florida State! Go Gators!!
-- Sean, Jacksonville, Fla. (1:31 p.m.)

Paul Posluszny, a junior captain, has led the Penn State defense to the Big Ten title, his numbers are every bit as good as Hawk and when Penn State defeated OSU, it was Poz who outplayed not just Hawk, but the entire OSU linebacking corps.
-- Ryan, State College, Penn. (1:46 p.m.)

I would have to cast my vote for Tamba Hali. He is the single most disruptive force in the deepest conference in the nation. I'm not trying to slight Elvis Dumervil, he's a great player, but I'd like to see if he could put up those numbers in a real conference.
-- Tom, Madison, Wisc. (1:56 p.m.)

Hands down it is A.J. Hawk. He is best all around defensive player in the country. He can stuff the run and defend the pass as well and any linebacker in the country. Teams will run to the opposite side of where he lines and he will still make every tackle. You know he is good when teams have to develop an offensive scheme around a linebacker.
-- Shay Wenn, West Bloomfield, Mich. (2:06 p.m.)

Can I nominate a D-II player? Because Randy Cunningham at Appalachian State is tearing it up: 14 sacks in 11 games. Give the little guys some love!
-- Jenny, Asheville, NC (2:06 p.m.)

Paul Posluszny is easily the greatest defensive force in college football this season. Week in and week out he made plays and provided leadership for a defense that stacks up against anyone in the nation. Just ask Ohio State.
-- Steve, Colts Neck, N.J. (2:16 p.m.)

Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong. D'Qwell Jackson, University of Maryland. Ask any coach in the ACC who the best defensive player in the land is and they will tell you. More sacks, tackles, and Int's than Hawk (who is a close second). Oh yeah and he has been doing it for three straight years now.
-- Lee Cheyne, Silver Spring, Md. (2:26 p.m.)

I think it would have to be Elvis Dumervil. You can't slight him for the competition he faced. He just went and dominated whatever offense was put in front of him. AJ Hawk is over-rated. OSU gives credit for a tackle when he dives on top of the pile LONG after the runner is down.
-- Lee Cheyne, Silver Spring, Md. (2:26 p.m.)

How about Mario Williams of NC State? Just like Bush pulled ahead of everyone at the end of the season with his performance against Fresno, Williams has come on equally as strong as the season has progressed. Not only does he lead the ACC in sacks and TFL, he makes other teams gameplan around him. Sadly, they have to play into the hands of another amazingly talened DE, Manny Lawson.
-- Ben, Raleigh, N.C. (2:51 p.m.)

A.J. Hawk is a great player, but Elvis is "the King" on defense. If Dumervil played for a high-profile school like Ohio St. or Penn St., no one would even debate this subject. Unfortunately, I have to admit that my favorite defender, DeMeco Ryans, doesn't have the stats to compete for this hypothetical defensive Heisman award. I guess he'll just have to settle for the real award for which he is a finalist, the Academic Heisman. Roll Tide!
-- Michael, Austin, Texas (3:11 p.m.)

Elvis Dumervil looks like he had a monster year, but my vote would have to go to Tamba Hali. Nobody has caused as much havoc as Hali has at the most crucial times. Time after time, he impressed me with his all out hussle in making plays all over the field. Both Posluszny and Hawk are monsters on the field, but they haven't come up as big as Hali has during those crucial times.
-- Jim, Philadelphia (3:26 p.m.)

Why is it that there are no mentions of the PAC 10 in this defensive Heisman discussion. As long as the Heisman goes to the offensive player with the gaudiest numbers, the PAC 10 players will have a huge advantage as they don't have to play against a defense.
-- Jeff, Lancaster, Penn. (3:41 p.m.)

I would have to cast my vote for either Jimmy Williams. I would say Williams because the other team has to gameplan around him. He shuts down one whole side of the field so VT can then use their safeties to cover the other guys also he is a good tackler. I am a Michigan fan and I witnessed what special player at corner can do for a defense, and in all honesty I think VT's defense is very similar to Michigan's championship defense.
-- Mike, Rochester, Mich. (4:11 p.m.)

A.J. Hawk would squeak by and nab the Defensive Heisman trophy. His numbers are not as inflated as Elvis Dumervil, but that is because he's surrounded by players just oozing with talent. He is simply put, a playmaker. The backbone of an outstanding defense, he plays with his heart and soul and always manages to come up with the big play when it's needed most.
-- Joshua Overmyer, Pataskala (4:31 p.m.)

Nick Reid from Kansas gets my vote. He is the leader of a top 10 rushing defense, he is in on every play, he has been one of the most underrated players in the country for 3 years, he is the Big XII's leading tackler, he and that defense are the reason KU is going bowling for the 2nd time in 3 years.
-- Dan, Stillwater, Okla. (4:51 p.m.)