By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports
With the 2025 college football season fast approaching, we continue to get you set for the upcoming season.
Having brought you our top individual players at each position and delivered our top position units in the west, we shift our focus to the respective two sides of the ball.
We begin with our Top 12 defenses for 2025 in the West.
1. Oregon
The Ducks had a lot of turnover on the line and in the secondary from a unit that sent a lot of players to the NFL last season.
Nonetheless, the secondary should be a strength once again, and the Ducks are solid up the middle.
Defensive tackle Bear Alexander can do a bit of everything, Bryce Boettcher can play sideline to sideline at the MLB spot, while Dillon Thieneman and Kingston Lopa are among the best safety combos in the nation.
On the edge, the Ducks will have an elite pass rusher in Matayo Uiagalelei. Look for the Ducks to once again have one of the better defenses in the nation.
2. Utah Utes
Utah had some struggles in 2024, but those problems were not on the defensive side of the football.
The Utes return seven starters from a squad that allowed just 22.5 points per game.
The unit is anchored by a star at every level of the defense.
DE Logan Fanu, LB Lander Barton and safety Tao Johnson all could be All-Big XII performers.
3. Arizona State
The secondary of CB Keith Abney, CB Javan Robinson, S Xavion Alford, and S Myles Rower are on par with the best in the nation.
The defensive line is stout against the run.
CJ Fite has the chance to break out and become an elite lineman this season.
Arizona State is poised to have a good year on the defensive side of the ball, but they need to generate a better pass rush than they had last season.
4. Washington Huskies
Last season, the Huskies were really good against the pass, ranking second in the nation, allowing just 166 yards per game through the air.
Now, that was in part because they were also porous against the run, and teams didn’t have to throw the ball. This season, Washington should be able to shut down the passing game with a pair of elite, long corners on the outside.
The Huskies should see a significant improvement against the run, and a couple of transfers will help facilitate that.
Look for Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei to make an immediate impact on the line while Taariq Al-Uqdah will do the same at linebacker. Isaiah Ward should wreak havoc on the edge.
5. Boise State Broncos
Boise State has an elite pass rusher in Jayden Virgin-Morgan.
The back end of the defense has a pair of stars in cornerback Jeremiah Earby and safety Ty Benefield.
The linebackers also have some playmakers in Marco Notarainni and Jake Ripp.
This was a Broncos unit that allowed just 22.6 points per game in 2024 and could be better in 2025.
6. BYU Cougars
The Cougars were opportunistic on defense last season, creating 29 takeaways, third-most in the nation.
BYU does a great job of disguising coverages and utilizing pressure to confuse opposing quarterbacks with different looks.
They also have some playmakers in coverage.
Jack Kelly and Isaiah Glasker are one of the best LB parings in America and Evan Johnson has a chance to be one of the better CBs in the Big XII.
7. USC Trojans
Look for USC to make a huge jump on the defense in Year Two under D’Anton Lynn.
The secondary and linebackers could be strengths of the entire team in 2025.
Eric Gentry is a do-everything linebacker who could play at an elite level this season. Kamari Ramsey is back at safety and will be joined in the secondary by cornerbac D.J. Harvey and safety Bishop Fitzgerald.
The Trojans could be difficult to throw against this season, and the with Lynn’s schemes in his second season, the Trojans should generate a pass rush.
8. UCLA Bruins
The Bruins defense improved throughout the season last fall.
Bringing in Lawrence Key at safety will pay dividends for a unit that was 108th in the nation against the pass in 2024.
The linebackers in the 4-3 set will be good with Jalen Woods, JonJon Vaughns, and, most likely, Ben Perry manning the middle. That group will anchor this defense.
This was a team that ranked sixth in the nation against the run, and if the pass defense improves, the Bruins defense could be dangerous.
9. San Diego State Aztecs
The Aztecs are another team that improved on the defensive side of the football as the 2024 season progressed.
SDSU brings back just about everyone from that unit.
They also just might have the most dangerous pass rusher in the nation in the form of Trey White. Chris Johnson and Bryce Phillips are excellent in coverage on the outside while Tano Letuli could have a breakout season at LB.
With the nucleus SDSU has returning along with talent coming in, such as DT Malachi Finau, this Aztec defense has the chance to be good.
10. San Jose State Spartans
The Spartans could be poised for a special season in 2025. If that is to happen, the defensive unit will have to perform—and I think they will.
The unit will be led by a pair of seniors who can make plays, DT Gafa Faga and LB Jordan Pollard. Last season they were decent against the run and added depth along the line will keep the front of the 3-4 defense fresh.
The Spartans need to create more of a pass rush but they intercepted 21 passes in in 2024, tying BYU for the most per game in the nation.
SJSU has to replace a pair of starters at CB but the secondary is an experienced, senior-laden group with the depth to overcome the departures. But with the high risk-high reward nature of the schemes, they will need to make plays.
11. California Golden Bears
The Bears may struggle in the ACC in 2025, but people thought that last year and they made a bowl and nearly pulled off a couple of major upsets along the way.
Now the offense lost a lot of key players in 2025, but the defense might be able to keep them in some games this season.
T.J. Bollers, Nate Burrell and Aiden Keannaaina give the Bears a solid front on defense.
The real bright spot, I think, is the linebacker group. It is a deep group led by Cade Uluave and Buom Jock. This LB unit might be one of the nation’s biggest surprises.
12. UNLV Rebels
The Rebels have shifted from a defensive-oriented coach to one who cut his teeth on the offensive side of the ball.
UNLV also must replace a lot of departed talent, but there is reason for optimism on the defensive side.
The linebackers should be good with Marsel McDuffie returning and the additions of Bryce Edmondson and Justin Flowe.
Similarly, the secondary faced a ton of departures, but an influx in transfers should help. If the Rebels can generate a pass rush, the defense behind the front should be able to perform.
writes about various topics for SuperWest sports, including stats and records, college sports, and motorsports. He also founded and runs the Sports and Entertainment Research Center (SERC).
