Best of the Best: Defense

This is a continued look at the state of Oklahoma's best overall recruits that panned out over the last ten years. The first edition looked at the offensive side of the ball, this time around, the defense will get the glory.

DT, Gerald McCoy, Southeast High/ OU- Third Overall pick in the Draft, All-American defensive tackle while at OU. Army All-American in high school. Quite simply, this was one of the easiest picks of the entire list. He is currently injured on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but before his injury, he was stringing together an impressive line of performances.

DT- Remi Ayodele, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M/ OU- Currently playing for the Minnesota Vikings after a successful spell with the New Orleans Saints. Ayodele has quietly become a mainstay on the defensive front throughout his time in the NFL.

LB- Curtis Lofton, Kingfisher/ OU- Current starter for the Atlanta Falcons. He consistently leads his team in tackles and has led the team in tackles at the end of the season two of the three years he has played for the falcons. He was an All-American linebacker while at OU.

LB- Phillip Dillard, Jenks/ Nebraska-multiyear starter for the Cornhuskers and drafted to the Panthers in the fourth round of the NFL draft. Dillard is a rangy linebacker who had the knack for the ball during his time with the "blackshirts."

LB- Ronnell Lewis, Dewar/ OU- One of the scariest defenders the Sooners have had in years, Lewis' ability to crush the ball carrier whether on kickoffs, behind the line of scrimmage or covering a pass in the flats gives him the nod as one of the best ever. He also will without a doubt be a first round pick in the upcoming NFL draft.

DB- Reggie Smith, Edmond Santa Fe/ OU- One of the most legendary athletes Oklahoma had seen in the first decade of the 21st century, Reggie Smith could do it all. At OU, he did it all: returning punts, kicks, playing boundary and field corner as well as strong and free safety. Smith now plays free safety for the 49ers.

DB- Dominique Franks, Tulsa Union/ OU- One of the freakiest athletes on the football field. Franks ability to lock down any receiver he went up against made him legend in Tulsa. At OU, he played a high level brand of football that allowed him to get drafted by the Atlanta Falcons where he splits time serving at the nickel back position.

There are many current defensive backs who cold be added to the list if they can put together two solid seasons with their respective teams.

Javon Harris, Lawton MacArthur/ OU- He is an incredibly gifted athlete who has shown a knack for finding the footbal and taking care of the rest.

Daytawion Lowe- Carl Albert/ OSU- a strong safety type of player who has great coverage skills, but prides himself in playing a tough brand of football

Tre'Vante Porter, Carl Albert/ Texas Tech- an athlete who is a Lowe 2.0 faster, more sleeker build and able to cover ground quicker. Porter needs to add strength and size, but his ability is unquestionable.

For the other positions, such as defensive end, there has not been a player in recent history that has truly garnered that kind of praise. Although there are a few defenders that could earn that spot in the next five to six years if they pan out according to the projections by recruiting analysts.

Such players are D.J. Ward and Dalton Rodriguez.

Thanks for taking the time to check out the list, comment and let me know who you think some of the top players Oklahoma has produced over the last ten years.