BEN BANOGU DE TCU
The 6’4, 250-pound edge rusher is a
magnet for getting to the ball. Getting
in the backfield is Banogu’s specialty as
he accounted for 16.5 tackles for loss
and 8.5 sacks in 2017. Last season he
was recognized as the Big 12 Defensive
Newcomer of the year and first team
All-Big 12. Look for Gary Patterson,
arguably the best defensive head coach
in college football, to draw up blitzes to
free the explosive defensive playmaker.
He nearly turned pro after 2017, but
TCU is very lucky to have him back.
18 COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY
Dominant Defenders
KRIS BOYD CB Texas
Boyd excelled in the secondary last
season with fifty-seven total tackles,
two interceptions and fifteen pass
breakups, the most for a Longhorn
since 2011. Boyd looks like a future
NFL starter after garnering
second-team All-Big 12 recognition
last year.
JOE DINEEN JR. LB Kansas
The Lawrence, Kansas native was
named to the All-American second
team and to the All-Big 12 after his
superb season in 2017 with 137
tackles and an astonishing twenty-
five tackles for loss, which broke an
all-time school record. Look for the
Jayhawks captain to have another
strong season and for the linebacker
to collect more accolades once the
season is over.