Top 25 College Football Defensive Linemen

The college football season is approaching. There is always debate over ranking the best players in the sport. Here are the top 25 college football Defensive Linemen heading into the 2025 season.

Note: There is some projection in these rankings for the upcoming season. These are not NFL Draft rankings, but rather focus on the best players in college football.

25-21

25. Tyree Morris, Utah State Aggies

Morris is coming up to the FBS level this season, where he can show his talents. He had two sacks and five tackles for loss last season. 

24. David Gusta, Kentucky Wildcats

Gusta tallied three tackles for loss and one sack last season at Washington State. He’ll now be at Kentucky, where he’ll have the chance to prove himself in the SEC. 

23. Albert Regis, Texas A&M Aggies

Regis has been a part of the Texas A&M rotation for the last few seasons. He’ll have a chacne to play more and should be able to increase his three tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks last season. 

22. Jaheim Oatis, Colorado Buffaloes

Oatis had three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks during his time at Alabama. Now at Colorado, he will have the chance to create a bigger impact. 

21. Damonic Williams, Oklahoma Sooners

In his first year after transferring from TCU to Oklahoma, Williams had five tackles for loss and one sack. He can help give Oklahoam a tough defensive front this season. 

20-16

20. Tyler Onyedim, Texas A&M Aggies

Onyedim played at Iowa State for four seasons, but now is joining Texas A&M. He had three tackles for loss last season and will be looking for more production in 2025. 

19. Santana Hopper, Tulane Green Wave

Hopper had a great season in 2024 for Appalachian State with nine tackles for loss and five sacks. He now joins Tulane, where he will be one of the best players on the field. 

18. Bear Alexander, Oregon Ducks

Alexander is a well-traveled player, suiting up for Georgia and USC. While he hasn’t reached his full potential, Oregon saw enough out of Alexander to sign him as a transfer. 

17. Eddrick Houston, Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State rotated a lot of linemen last season, so Houston was able to get his feet wet. A large step forward will be needed for him, but he will have the opportunity to show what he can do. 

16. A’Mauri Washington, Oregon Ducks

Washington only had two tackles for loss last season, but will need to improve to help Oregon’s rush defense. 

15-11

15. Payton Zdroik, Air Force Falcons

After a season where he posted seven tackles for loss and three sacks, Zdroik has made himself one of the best players in the Mountain West. 

14. Landon Robinson, Navy Midshipmen

Robinson may play at Navy, but he has plenty of potential, even to make the next level. Following six tackles for loss and four sacks, he will be a key for Navy to compete in the American. 

13. Lee Hunter, Texas Tech Red Raiders

Hunter put together a few good years at UCF before transferring to Texas Tech this offseason. He had 10 tackles for loss and one sack in 2024. 

12. Domonique Orange, Iowa State Cyclones

Orange has developed well over his three years playing at Iowa State. Last season was his best yet, as he racked five tackles for loss and one sack. 

11. Aaron Graves, Iowa Hawkeyes

Graves is one of the best pass rushers for an interior lineman, as he had six sacks last season. He also had eight tackles for loss and can do better this season. 

10-6

10. Gracen Halton, Oklahoma Sooners

Halton has really helped Oklahoma’s defense improve over the last few years. He showed his pass rushing ability with five sacks, but also had six tackles for loss. 

9. Darrell Jackson, Florida State Seminoles

Jackson was a bright spot for Florida State last season, as the team struggled. The experienced defensive tackle had four tackles and 3.5 sacks last season. 

8. Tim Keenan, Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama will have one of the best defensive units in the country with help from Keenan. After having eight tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, he can do more in 2025. 

7. Zxavian Harris, Ole Miss Rebels

Ole Miss is known for their transfers, but Harris has developed well after starting his career at Ole Miss. He’ll look to add to the five tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. 

6. Rayshaun Benny, Michigan Wolverines

Benny was a rotational lineman behind Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham last season and still had four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Now, he will have a larger role on the defense. 

5-1

5. Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati Bearcats

Corleone has battled through his fair share of health issues during his college career. He had 3.5 sacks and five tackles for loss as the leader for the Bearcats.

4. Zane Durant, Penn State Nittany Lions

Penn State has national championship aspirations and Durant is a huge reason why. He helps the interior of the defense after 11 tackles for loss and three sacks last season. 

3. Caleb Banks, Florida Gators

Florida has a lot of offensive players who get a lot of love, but Banks may end up being their most impactful player. He tallied 4.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss in 2024. 

2. Christen Miller, Georgia Bulldogs

Miller will lead a talented front seven at Georgia this season. He had four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, but his real impract doesn’t show up in the box score. 

1. Peter Woods, Clemson Tigers

Woods helps Clemson have the best defensive line in the sport. Last season, he had nine tackles for loss and three sacks, which is impressive for the interior. 

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