GameDay Network

Sports Stars of Tomorrow 2021 College Football Preview: Part 2

August 13, 2021
Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux and LSU's Derek Stingley headline the defensive players to watch in the 2021 college season.

Two defensive stars project as potential top-five NFL Draft picks. Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux won Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year and continues his dominant trajectory. His combination of athleticism and relentless motor makes him a nightmare for opposing offenses.

LSU cornerback Derek Stingley helped the Tigers win a national title as a freshman and earned All-American honors in each of his first two seasons. Both players demonstrate why elite defense remains essential in college football.