The Big Ten continuously produces quality defensive lines littered with future pros. This year, the Big Ten boasts what I think are 5 of the top 10 defensive lines in all of college football. Ohio State, Illinois, and Michigan are the clear top three with virtually no weaknesses, but Penn State and Iowa aren’t far behind. There are multiple future 1st-round picks on these defensive fronts and plenty of other NFL-caliber talent.
The rest of the conference is up for debate. Michigan State, Wisconsin, and Rutgers all pose deep units and a star player or two but lack a solidified answer at each position. Minnesota, Indiana, Nebraska, and Maryland all have just as many reasons for optimism as reasons for concern while Purdue and Northwestern brace for what looks to be a rocky season along the defensive front.
The teams at the top of this list are going to be the ones best equipped to win in November. Stopping the run and getting after the quarterback is at the core of any good defense.
1) Ohio State
Top DEs: JT Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer, Kenyatta Jackson, Caden Curry
Top DTs: Michael Hall Jr, Ty Hamilton, Tywone Malone, Tyleik Williams, Hero Kanu
JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer were each 5-star and top-10 prospects in the 2021 class. They each need a little more technical refinement heading into their third seasons, but both have flashed insane talent and could be 1st-round picks in 2024. Tuimoloau and Sawyer are one of the best edge-duos in the entire country.
Though largely inexperienced, there is a ton of depth behind the dynamic duo – namely Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson. Curry was top-150 prospect in 2022 and appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman, finishing with 14 tackles and 1.5 TFLs. Jackson was also a top-150 prospect in 2022 but only appeared in 3 games and took a redshirt.
Michael Hall was one of the most productive DTs in the nation last year when he was healthy. The second part of that statement is vital to this Ohio State defense, but Hall says he is 100%. He could very well join Tuimoloau and Sawyer as 1st-round picks next season – a testament to the talent along this line. Michael Hall will see the field much more this season but there will should still be a heavy rotation from a deep interior line.
Ty Hamilton enters his 4th year with the Buckeyes and has appeared in 28 career games with 5 starts. With the ability to stuff the run and push the pocket, Hamilton emerged as a difference-maker for the Buckeyes late in the season last year. Tyleik Williams enters his 3rd season after earning Big Ten Honorable Mention in each of his first two years. Hero Kanu was another top-150 prospect in that 2022 class. He redshirted last year but has impressed this spring.
On top of that, the Buckeyes added 6’4″ 315lb Tywone Malone from Ole Miss. He was the consensus top prospect out of New Jersey is 2021 but never cracked the starting rotation for the Rebels.
There seems to be no ceiling to how good this group can be. JT Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer, and Michael Hall is the best defensive line trio in college football and there is top-ranked talent littered behind them. But the success of this group is dependent on Michael Hall staying healthy and the entirety of the group continuing to improve & develop. Despite the talent, there is a chance they don’t meat their potential.
Grade: A
2) Illinois
Top DEs: Jer’Zhan Newton, Keith Randolph Jr, Bryce Barnes, Sed McConnell
Top DTs: TeRah Edwards, Denzel Daxon
I said Tuimoloau and Sawyer were one of the best edge-duos in college football. Well, Jer’Zhan Newton and Keith Randolph Jr are probably the best. Newton was 1st-team All America with 61 tackles, 14 TFLs, and 5.5 sacks last season, while Randolph was 1st-team All Big Ten with 53 tackles, 13 TFLs, and 4.5 sacks. They weigh a combined 600lbs and can play anywhere along Illinois’ 3-man front, putting them amongst the most versatile defenders in the country.
Brett Beilema likes his defensive linemen big and there is plenty of size behind Newton & Randolph. 5th-year senior Bryce Barnes and redshirt sophomore Sed McConnell each stand at 6’3″ 280lbs. Although it almost doesn’t matter who Illinois has behind their two All-Americans.
Terah Edwards and Denzel Daxon (who weigh nearly 650lbs combinde) look to have the nose tackle position on lock. Edwards a was a 3-star in the 2020 class and originally enrolled at Northwestern. He transferred to Illnois last season and appeared in every game, finishing with 14 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and a sack. Denzel Daxon transferred from Ohio after appearing in every game for them in the past two seasons but registering only 11 tackles and 2 TFLs. Edwards and Daxon should be able to keep each other fresh, enabling them to eat up blocks and clog the middle.
The size and versatility of Illinois’ defensive line enables them to cause a ton of disruption with only three guys on the field. Jer’Zhan Newton and Keith Randolph – the “Law Firm” as they’re called – are going to be nearly impossible for even the best offensive lines to stop. But if one of them go down, this all of a sudden becomes a relatively average line.
Grade: A
3) Michigan
Top DEs: Jaylen Harrell, Braiden McGregor, Derrick Moore, Josaiah Stewart
Top DTs: Kris Jenkins, Mason Graham, Rayshaun Benny, Cam Goode
After another year of talent lost to the NFL, Jaylen Harrell looks to be the next leader of the defensive line. He was a 3-star prospect in the 2020 class and originally played OLB. Harrell appeared in all 14 games with made 4 starts in 2021. Then he made the switch to edge, earning Big Ten Honorable Mention last year with 30 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks.
Braiden McGregor is the favorite to start opposite Harrell. He was a top-150 prospect in the 2020 class and has flashed potential so far in his career. But he has failed to see much meaningful play time. Derrick Moore – a consensus top-100 player in the 2022 class – could also make a big jump in 2023 after appearing in every game last year.
Michigan’s big transfer addition on the defensive side of the ball was Josaiah Stewart. He was an All-American a Costal Carolina in 2021 with 12.5 sacks. But he took a step back last year, finishing with only 3.5. Stewart also has experience at linebacker like Jaylen Harrell, making them both versatile pieces along this defensive line.
Kris Jenkins looks to step up in Mike Morris’ place at DT after earning Big Ten Honorable Mention last year with 54 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and 2 sacks. Mason Graham is contending for the other starting spot after impressing as a true freshman last year. But he’ll be pushed by Rayshaun Benny – a top-300 prospect from the 2021 class – and Cam Goode – a 5th-year senior who transferred from UCF last year.
Michigan’s talent, experience, and depth at defensive end is unmatched in the Big Ten. Kris Jenkins has the makings of another All-American defensive lineman. But there is minimal experience behind Jenkins at defensive tackle. I’m also a little skeptical about Jaylen Harrell’s ability to elevate into an elite pass-rusher. In fact, I think Derrick Moore might emerge as the Wolverine’s most effective edge.
Grade: A
4) Penn State
Top DEs: Chop Robinson, Adisa Isaac, Dani Dennis-Sutton, Smith Vilbert, Amin Vanover
Top DTs: Dvon Ellies, Hakeem Beamon, Coziah Izzard, Zane Durant, Alonzo Ford
Penn State boasts a formidable threesome of edge rushers in Chop Robinson, Adisa Isaac, and Dani Dennis-Sutton. Robinson and Isaac combined for 21 TFLs and 9.5 sacks in 2022. Dennis-Sutton stands at 6’5″ 250lbs and was a 5-star prospect in the 2022 class. He registered 3.5 TFLs and 3 sacks in his true freshman and should be in for an even bigger sophomore campaigns. He looked absolutely unblockable in Penn State’s spring game.
Chop Robinson, Adisa Isaac, and Dani Dennis-Sutton are as as strong of a pass-rushing trio as there is in college football. The Nittany Lions also have some good depth behind them, headlined by Smith Vilbert and Amin Vanover. Vilbert is a 5th-year senior that put up 3 sacks in the 2021 Outback Bowl, but missed the majority of 2022 due to injury. Vanover was one of the top prospects out of New Jersey in 2020 and was a key rotational piece last season.
Defensive tackle is a bit more of a question mark thanks to the loss of PJ Mustipher. Hakeem Beamon – a 4-star prospect from the 2019 class – returns after finally earning a starting spot last season. The other starting tackle spot will likely be between Dvon Ellies and Coziah Izzard. Ellies has appeared in every game over the past 2 seasons for Penn State but has only 3.5 TFLs in that span. Izzard was limited to 9 games last season due to injury but was one of Penn State’s more effective linemen when healthy.
Zane Durant and Alonzo Ford will also push for significant play time. Durant appeared in every game as a true freshman last year and finished with 5 tackles. Ford transfers from Old Dominion after starting every game for them over the past two seasons.
Penn State has elite talent on the edge and a lot of depth at tackle. But one of Penn State’s biggest weaknesses in 2022 was the size along the interior – Michigan and Ohio State were able to push the middle of their defense way too easily. With the loss of Mustipher and Izzard (who is undersized for a defensive tackle) being the only addition, it doesn’t look like Penn State got any bigger inside.
There is ample athleticism and depth along the Nittany Lion defensive line in 2023. But the lack of top-end talent or size at defensive tackle is a red flag for a team hoping to make it’s first College Football Playoff appearance.
Grade: A-
5) Iowa
Top DEs: Joe Evans, Deontae Craig, Ethan Hurkett, Max Llewellyn
Top DTs: Noah Shannon, Logan Lee, Aaron Graves, Yahya Black, Anterio Thompson
Joe Evans and Deontae Craig return at DE for the Hawkeyes after combining for 19 TFLs,13.5 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles in 2022. They’ll be a force for any offensive line to handle and should each earn an All-Big Ten spot this season.
Iowa will have to hope Evans and Craig can stay healthy, as they are pretty thin at edge behind them. Ethan Hurkett enters his redshirt junior year but has only 12 career tackles. Max Llewellyn was a 4-star prospect in the 2021 class but has appeared in only 4 games through his first couple seasons. Both have plenty of potential, but they don’t look ready to take over as a truly effective pass-rusher should they be called upon.
Iowa doesn’t have that problem at tackle, though. Logan Lee and Noah Shannon return for their 5th seasons after each starting every game last season and earning Big Ten Honorable Mention.
Behind Lee and Shannon is likely to be Yahya Black and Anterio Thompson. Black was a highly-touted 4-star ATH out of Minnesota in the 2020 class. He stands at 6’5″ 315lbs and has appeared in all but four games over the past two seasons. Thompson transfers to Iowa after spending a season at Iowa Western where he was 1st-team all conference. He was one of the top JUCO-transfer prospects from this past class.
Iowa boasts a two elite defensive ends and plenty of depth & experience at defensive tackle. But question marks behind Joe Evans and Deontae Craig on the edge could cause problems late in the season.
Grade: A-
6) Michigan State
Top DEs: Khris Bogle, Avery Dunn, Tunmise Adeleye, Zion Young
Top DTs: Simeon Barrow Jr, Derrick Harmon, Dre Butler, Jarrett Jackson, Jalen Sami
Khris Bogle and Avery Dunn are the Spartans’ top returners at defensive end. Bogle enters his 5th season after transferring from Florida last season. He got off to a good start, tallying 3 TFLs and a sack in the first three games. But an injury against Minnesota in week four cost him the rest of the season. Dunn recorded 28 tackles and 3 sacks in nine games last season – the first meaningful play time of his career. He’s put on 30 pounds since arriving to East Lansing in 2020 and could be in for a big step forward in 2023.
Tunmise Adeleye will push Bogle and Dunn for a starting spot though. A top-100 prospect in the 2021 class, Adeleye transfers from Texas A&M after appearing in only three games in his first two seasons. Standing at 6’4″ 290lbs, he possesses a unique combination of size and speed that will allow him to line up anywhere on the defensive line. Zion Young could also earn a bigger role in 2023 after appearing in 8 games with 2 starts as a true freshman last season.
Simeon Barrow Jr returns for his 3rd season as a starter at defensive tackle. He was 2nd on the team with 4 sacks and 3rd with 9 TFLs last season. Barrow could be in for an All-Big Ten season in 2023. He’ll likely be paired with Derrick Harmon as the starters. Harmon played in all 12 games last year with 5 starts as a redshirt freshman. At 6’5″ 320lbs, Harmon could be a real problem next to Barrow.
Michigan State brought in a trio of 5th-year transfers at defensive tackle – all of whom will compete for significant play time. Dre Butler attended JUCO as a freshman in 2019 where he racked up 66 tackles, 22 TFLs, and 11.5 sacks. As one of the best JUCO prospects in the country, Butler then transferred to Auburn. But after failing to earn a starting spot in his first two seasons with the Tigers, he then transferred to Liberty. Butler started every game for them last season and finished with a couple TFLs and 1.5 sacks. Now on his 3rd team in as many years, Dre Butler could save his best performance for last.
The Spartans also brought in Jarrett Jackson from Florida State and Jalen Sami from Colorado. Jackson enters his 6th season and has 32 games of experience (22 for FSU and 10 for Louisville). Sami has been a mainstay on the Buffalo defensive front, appearing in 36 games with 32 starts over the past four seasons. He was a late arrival on campus, but Sami stands at 6’6″ 330lbs and could emerge as one of Michigan State’s better defensive tackles.
Michigan State has a deep, strong interior line and some underrated talent at defensive end. It’ll definitely be tough to run on the Spartans but I’m concerned about their ability to get pressure without blitzing. Khris Bogle and Tunmise Adeleye offers exciting potential, but I think there’s a significant gap between them and some of the top edge rushers in the conference.
Grade: B+
7) Wisconsin
Top DEs: Rodas Johnson, Isaiah Mullens, James Thompson Jr, Darian Varner
Top DTs: Gio Paez, Curt Neal, Ben Barten
Wisconsin’s defensive line can often be hard to grade, as their main role is to eat up blocks and allow their versatile linebackers make plays. They often play with only two down linemen, using players who might conventionally be used at defensive end at linebacker. For these purposes, we’re just assessing Wisconsin’s permanent down linemen.
Rodas Johnson and Isaiah Mullens return and should be on the field for the majority of the time. The duo each started 10 games last year, combining for 57 tackles and 14 TFLs, and have appeared in a combined 66 career games. Although not terribly flashy, Johnson and Mullens are tough to block and great in run support.
James Thompson Jr also returns after emerging in the back half of the season, starting each of the final seven games and tallying 6.5 TFLs.
The Badgers also added Darian Varner from Temple. The redshirt junior earned 1st-team All AAC last year and has 19.5 TFLs & 10.5 sacks over the past two seasons. Varner is on the smaller side but might be the most natural pass-rusher of the group. His explosiveness could give this unit another dimension.
The primary nose tackle spot looks to be a battle between Curtis Neal and Gio Paez. Neal was a 4-star recruit and appeared in four games as a true freshman last year. Paez is a 5th-year senior who has appeared in 19 games over the past two seasons but has yet to make a start. Redshirt junior Ben Barten could also carve out a role at 6’5″ 305lbs.
Wisconsin’s defensive line isn’t an elite pass rushing unit – but it’s not necessarily supposed to be. This is a big, experienced offensive line that can push offensive lines back, stuff the run, and occupy blocks. I don’t think there are any All-Big Ten players in this unit, but they have a deep group that will help set the foundation for an improved Badger defense.
Grade: B
8) Rutgers
Top DEs: Aaron Lewis, Wesley Bailey, Jordan Thompson, Kenny Fletcher, Djibril Abdou Rahman
Top DTs: Isaiah Iton, Kyonte Hamilton, Mayan Ahanotu, Rene Konga
Rutgers’ defensive line struggled last year, finishing 102nd nationally in sacks and 9th in the Big Ten in yards per rush allowed. But with virtually everyone returning, there is optimism for 2023.
Aaron Lewis and Wesley Bailey both return on the edge after combining for 16 TFLs and 5 sacks last year. A breakout in 2022, Bailey looks to continue his ascent and become one of the top pass-rushers in the Big Ten in 2023. Lewis, a former 4-star prospect and Michigan transfer, should improve in his second season with the team. The two seniors are the clear leaders of the defensive line.
But the position gets thin behind Aaron Lewis and Wesley Bailey. Redshirt sophomore Jordan Thompson is the most experienced backup after appearing in every game last year, but he didn’t register a TFL or sack. Kenny Fletcher appeared in 11 games as a true freshman and finished with 2.5 TFLs and 1.5 sacks – he’s a name to watch in 2023.
Rutgers may have to rely on some production from freshman Djibril Abduo Rahman. At 6’4″ 250lbs, Rahman was the top-ranked prospect out of Canada in the 2023 class.
Isaiah Iton transfers from Ole Miss to bolster a defensive tackle group that needs to improve this season. A former JUCO transfer, Iton appeared in 23 games across the past two seasons for the Rebels at both edge and tackle. At 6’2″ 290lbs, he will contend to start alongside Kyonte Hamilton. Hamilton started every game last year after quitting wrestling to focus solely on football. he finished with 24 tackles, 3 TFLs, and a sack.
Mayan Ahanotu could beat out Iton as a starter after appearing in every game over the past 3 seasons for Rutgers with 13 starts at both defensive end and tackle. Rene Konga – one of three Canadians on this defensive line – also emerged as a contributor last year, appearing in 9 games with a sack and a couple PBUs.
Aaron Lewis and Wesley Bailey might be the most underrated edge duos in college football. It gets pretty thin behind them, but the defensive tackle position offers a point of strength for Rutgers thanks to ample returning experience. Though they aren’t likely to overwhelm opposing offensive lines, Rutgers boasts a solid defensive line in 2023.
Grade: B
9) Minnesota
Top DEs: Jalen Logan-Redding, Jah Joyner, Danny Striggow, Chris Collins
Top DTs: Kyler Baugh, Deven Eastern, Darnell Jefferies, Logan Richter
Jalen Logan-Redding and Jah Joyner should consider to lock down the defensive end position after combining for 33 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks last year. But the other edge position – their “rush” end – is more of a question mark. Danny Striggow is the assumed starter after playing in 11 games and recording 4.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks.
Chris Collins is likely Striggow’s primary backup. He played in 46 games over the past five seasons at UNC. But thanks to Lucas Finnessy’s late-season injury which will cost him all of 2023, depth at rush end is razor thin.
Kyler Baugh returns as one of the conference’s strongest defensive tackles after starting every game last year and earning Big Ten Honorable Mention. He enters his 5th season after transferring from Houston Baptist last season. Baugh will likely be backed up by 5th-year senior Logan Richter once again.
The other defensive tackle spot will be a battle between Deven Eastern and Darnell Jefferies. Jefferies transfers from Clemson after appearing in 23 games over the past four seasons as a backup tackle. Eastern was a 4-star prospect and played in seven games as a redshirt freshman last season.
Defensive tackle seems secured for the Gophers. There are some promising pieces and good experience along this defensive line. But Minnesota suffered from an uninspiring pass rush last season and I don’t see many reasons to think the Gophers have improved in that department. I think Danny Striggow will develop and can emerge as an All-Big Ten caliber pass-rusher but the lack of depth throughout this unit is a concern.
Grade: B-
10) Indiana
Top DEs: Andre Carter, Trey Laing, Myles Jackson, Lanell Carr, Anthony Jones, Venson Sneed Jr
Top DTs: Patrick Lucas Jr, LeDarrius Cox, Philip Blidi, Marcus Burris Jr
The Hoosiers’ defensive line is littered with new names, headlined by Western Michigan transfer Andre Carter. The 6th-year senior started every game for the Broncos last year and earned 2nd-team All MAC. With 29 TFLs and 14 sacks in his career, Carter should earn an immediate starting spot at defensive end this season.
Trey Laing will push Carter for playing time though. Laing is also a 6th-year senior – spending time at USF, community college, and Southern University. He had 14 TFLs and 5 sacks at Southern last year. Redshirt sophomore Venson Sneed Jr could also see some time, though he only appeared in two games as a redshirt freshman last year.
Indiana’s 4-2-5 defense features a defensive end on one end, and a “bull” on the other end. The bull is an OLB/DE hybrid that stays on the line of scrimmage in a two-point stance with the option to rush or drop back in coverage. For these purposes, we’ll count the bull as a part of the defensive line.
The bull position opposite defensive end is also littered with new additions. Anthony Jones was a high 3-star recruit in 2022 and transfers from Oregon after redshirting last year. He is an impressive athlete at 6’5″ 250lbs. Lanell Carr transfers from West Virginia after being a key rotational lineman over the past two seasons. But Myles Jackson appears to be the early favorite to start at bull. He appeared in every game last year for the Hoosiers after transferring from UCLA.
Patrick Lucas Jr and LeDarrius Cox return at defensive tackle. They each are 5th-year seniors who transferred from Ole Miss after 2021. They weigh a combined 650lbs and appeared in every game for the Hoosiers last season.
Indiana also added a few additions via the transfer portal in Philip Blidi and Marcus Burris Jr. Blidi has been a mainstay in Texas Tech’s defensive line season since a freshman in 2020. Burris was a 4-star and top-150 prospect in the 2021 class and appeared in 9 games as a redshirt freshman last season.
Indiana completely overhauled this defensive line and should see much improved play in 2023. Patrick Lucas, LeDarrius Cox, Philip Blidi, and Marcus Burris form a tough interior line that might be among the best in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers also boast plenty of depth and experience on the edge. I think Andre Carter could be in for a big 2023 season, but I’m still unconvinced that the talent around him will be impactful in conference play.
Grade: B-
11) Nebraska
Top DEs: Princewill Umanmielen, Cameron Lenhardt, Elijah Jeudy, Kai Wallin, Blaise Gunnerson, AJ Rollins
Top DTs: Ty Robinson, Nash Hutmacher, Ru’Quan Buckley
Nebraska’s defensive lines is a tough unit to assess because of the massive overhaul they endured thanks to graduations and transfers. What seem to be their top four players at defensive end are all newcomers via the transfer portal. Seeing as Scott Frost says he wants to consistently rotate two to three groups like hockey, all of them will see significant play time.
Princewill Amanmielen and Cameron Lenhardt look to be the top edge rushers coming out of the spring, which is a bit scary since they are both true freshmen. But both were 4-star & top-300 prospects, so there is definitely potential there. They’ll just need to grow up fast.
Elijah Jeudy and Kai Wallen appear to be the most logical ones to be next in the pecking order. Jeudy was a 4-star prospect in the 2021 class but appeared in only three games at Texas A&M before transferring this spring. Wallen is a JUCO transfer and was the only one to get a sack in the spring game.
AJ Rollins made the switch from tight end to defensive end this off-season and flashed some great athleticism and versatility in the spring. Blaise Gunnerson was a 4-star in the 2020 class and saw his first real action last season, appearing in every game.
Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher look to have nose tackle locked down. Robinson was a 4-star prospect in the 2019 class and has appeared in every game for the Huskers over the past two seasons, totaling 8 TFLs and 4 sacks. Hutmacher is a redshirt junior who also appeared in every game in the past two seasons. The duo weighs a combined 650lbs and should be more of a force in 2023.
But the best option behind Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher looks to be Ru’Quan Buckley – a 6’6″ 290lb redshirt sophomore who has yet to appear in a game.
There is certainly some potential at edge, but they look to be a year away from being truly impactful. With so much player turnover and a new defensive system, it’ll likely take a month or so for this unit to really gel. I really like Ty Robinson and Nash Hatmacher on the inside, but they don’t have the same kind of depth along the interior as they do at edge. I’m not confident in this unit’s ability to generate pressure on quarterbacks. But I think 2023 will at least be a step in the right direction for this defensive line and the Nebraska defense.
Grade: C+
12) Maryland
Top DEs: Quashon Fuller, Donnell Brown, Dylan Gooden, Neeo Avery
Top DTs: Tommy Akingbesote, Jordan Phillips, Tre Colbert, Taizse Johnson
Maryland’s defensive front offers a variety of looks, but they typically only have one defensive end on the field with a couple of tackles. Their jack linebacker sometimes operates close to the line of scrimmage and acts as a DE. But the one permanent defensive end position should be occupied by Quashon Fuller.
Fuller was a 4-star and top-300 prospect in 2019 and transferred from Florida State last year. He still hasn’t quite met his potential, though, as he has only 5 TFLs and a couple sacks in his career. Fuller will be pushed by Donnell Brown for the starting spot. Brown is a 5th-year senior from Saint Francis in the FCS. He was all conference in 2021 and 3rd-team All America last season.
But the Terps will have to lean on true freshman for any additional support behind Quashon Fuller and Donnell Brown. Neeo Avery and Dylan Gooden were each 4-star prospects in the 2023 class. Avery seems more college-ready at 6’5″ 230lbs and could definitely make an impact in his first collegiate season. Even so, I’m skeptical about a team that needs to rely on true freshmen for significant defensive line production.
Maryland got a couple new additions at defensive tackle in Jordan Phillips and Tre Colbert. Philips was a 3-star prospect in the 2022 class and appeared in three games for Tennessee last year. Tre Colbert is a 5th-year senior from Angelo State in Division II. He stands at 6’2″ 325lbs and earned all-conference each of the past two seasons.
Tommy Akingbesote and Taizse Johnson are the top returners among an interior line that figures to rotate a lot. Each were 4-star prospects in the 2021 class and have appeared in 19 games through their first couple seasons.
I really like what Maryland has along the interior line. I’m counting on Akingbesote and Johnson to each take another step forward in their third seasons, but the transfer additions give the Terps plenty of size and experience outside of the returning duo. I think Donnell Brown will emerge as Maryland’s top defensive end and an impactful pass-rusher, but I’m skeptical if Quashon Fuller will finally scrape his potential this season. With only true freshmen behind them and a steep learning curve ahead for Brown as he adjusts to Power-5 football, defensive end has me concerned.
Grade: C+
13) Purdue
Top DEs: Jeffrey M’Ba, Malik Langham, Isaiah Nichols, Joe Anderson, Prince James Boyd Jr
Top DTs: Cole Brevard, Damarjhe Lewis, Mo Omonode, Jamarrion Harkless
Like their rival Hoosiers, the Boilermakers welcome plenty of new faces along the defensive line, mainly at the defensive end position.
Jefffrey M’Ba was the #1 JUCO prospect in the 2022 class and originally enrolled at Auburn but only appeared in 9 games and registered a single sack. He may have been struggling with the full-time switch to defensive end, so another year under his belt should help him improve.
Malik Langham is a 6th-year senior from Vanderbilt. He appeared in every game over the past three seasons but managed only 2.5 TFLs and a sack. Isaiah Nichols is also a 6th-year senior. He appeared in 34 games with 10 starts over the past three seasons for Arkansas. Returning seniors Joe Anderson and Prince James Boyd Jr should also see significant play time.
Purdue is a bit thinner at nose tackle than they are at defense end. Cole Brevard appears to be the unquestioned starter after appearing in every game for Purdue last season. He was a 4-star prospect in the 2020 class and transferred from Penn State after his freshman season. But the outlook is foggy behind him.
Damarjhe Lewis missed all of 2022 with a preseason injury but appears to be back to full health. Lewis transferred from Indiana in 2020 and made three starts for Purdue as a redshirt freshman. Mo Omonode is a 3-star prospect from the 2022 class and did not see any action last year.
There really isn’t much else behind Omonode. True freshman Jamarrion Harkless might end up carving out a role for himself. He definitely has some potential at 6’4″ 315lbs, but it’s rare to see true freshmen thrive at defensive end in major college football.
Purdue’s outlook along the defensive line in 2023 is actually very similar to Nebraska’s – a deep group of young, unproven talent at defensive end a very thin interior line. That being said, Cole Brevard is a reliable nose tackle to lean on as long as he is able to stay healthy. The addition of Jeffrey M’Ba is exciting, but none of their defensive ends have any proven production in their careers. I think Purdue will have a tough time generating pressure with their defensive line in 2023.
Grade: C
14) Northwestern
Top DEs: Sean McLaughlin, Richie Hagarty, Aidan Hubbard, Jaylen Pate
Top DTs: Matt Lawson, Najee Story, Carmine Bastone
It remains to be seen how much talent Northwestern loses to the transfer portal thanks to the Pat Fitzgerald firing. But let’s assume everything stays as is.
Aidan Hubbard and Sean McLaughlin are the top returners at defensive end. McLaughlin started every game as a junior last year and finished with 30 tackles and 4 TFLs. Hubbard was a 3-star prospect as a LB in the 2021 class but has since put on 45lbs and switched DE. He appeared in 11 games as a redshirt freshman last season.
Richie Hagarty might end up contending for a starting spot after transferring from Southern Illinois in the FCS. He earned 1st-team all conference last season and has 23 games of experience under his belt despite only being a junior.
Jaylen Pate returns after transferring from Wyoming last season. He appeared in 8 games for Northwestern, but has only 3 TFLs and 1.5 sacks in three seasons.
6th-year senior Matt Lawson looks to be Northwestern’s top defensive tackle after transferring from Fresno State. He finally cracked the starting rotation last season after not seeing the field much for the majority of his career.
Northwestern is incredibly thin along the interior, with Najee Story and Carmine Bastone as their top returners. Bastone is the only defensive lineman to top 300lbs. But he has appeared in only 6 games and registered 3 tackles in his first two seasons. Najee Story could emerge as a solid pass-rusher after appearing in every game as a redshirt freshman last season, finishing with 2.5 TFLs and a sack.
The Wildcats are woefully undersized along the defensive line. Hubbard and McLaughlin weren’t incredibly effective pass-rushers last season and I don’t see why they would take massive step forward this year. Richie Hagarty is a nice addition and should allow that trio to stay fresh, but there’s not much production behind them. They are even thinner inside which spells trouble for Northwestern in 2023. This line just looks too easy to push around.
Grade: D