Phil Steele ranks Top 25 Defensive Line Units ahead of 2024 college football season
Defense wins championships, so they say. That efforts starts in the trenches.
Looking back at 2023, teams like Georgia, Ohio State, Florida State, Michigan all had top-tier defensive line units. Collectively, they each went on to win at least 11 games while the Wolverines were crowned national championship when it was all said and done.
Ahead of the 2024 regular season, Phil Steele took a look at the top 25 defensive line units across the country. Here’s the list he came up with.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
Bringing back its four most productive EDGE rushers and three standout defensive tackles for the 2024 season, Ohio State is Phil Steele’s No. 1 defensive line unit ahead of the upcoming season.
EDGE rushers J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer anchor a unit that also features the likes of fellow DE’s Kenyatta Jackson and Caden Curry, as well as Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton while several other budding stars look to take their place in the coming seasons. Teams will have to go through this strong defensive front if they want to best the Buckeyes in 2024.
2. Penn State Nittany Lions
First-team All-Big Ten talent Abdul Carter returns to Happy Valley, moving from his traditional position at linebacker down to defensive end to focus his talents on the pass rush. Dani Dennis-Sutton will step into a greater role for the Nittany Lions after having 6.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks as a backup in 2023.
Amin Vanover, Dvone Ellies and Zane Durant will also be key supporting pieces to Penn State‘s defensive line unit to comprise what Steele expects to be an elite group this season.
3. Utah Utes
When it comes to Utah, the national attention is thrust toward quarterback Cam Rising, who is returning to the field after missing the entire 2023 season. However, the Utes can be seen as a legitimate threat to win the Big 12 because of their strength defensively.
However, they’ll boast a defensive line group that returns six players from last year’s regular rotation. In 2023, the group allowed 81 rushing yards (3.1 yards per rush) per game while amassing 36 sacks. They also ranked top 10 in rush defense (4th), 1st downs allowed (5th) and 3rd down defense (8th).
4. Michigan Wolverines
While ranked fourth, Phil Steele believes an argument can be made that Michigan’s lineup of Derrick Moore, Kenneth Grant, Mason Graham and Josaiah Stewart is the best in college football. All four have NFL potential.
Losing three defensive linemen to the NFL this past April, concerns over the group’s depth have risen heading into the new year.
5. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska returns the likes of Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher to its defensive interior after anchoring a group that averaged 93 rushing yards per game for Matt Rhule’s Cornhuskers in 2023. The group also combined for 32 sacks last season.
Rhule has previously called this group the strength of his defense heading into the new season. In the new-look Big Ten Conference, that will be put to the test in 2024.
6. Texas A&M Aggies
The defensive-minded Mike Elko returned to Texas A&M this offseason to take over as the program’s next head coach. He inherits a defensive line that lost three members to the NFL.
Despite this, Elko still says the 2024 group could be one of the best he’s ever coached when it’s all said and done. Adding the services of Purdue transfer Nic Scourton — who produced 10 sacks for the Boilermakers in 2023 — Steele ranks the Aggies the highest of any SEC team heading into the new season.
7. Georgia Bulldogs
Once again, Georgia is expected to continue to harbor an elite defense in Athens. For the first time since winning their first national championship of the Kirby Smart era, the Bulldogs return its top four defensive linemen from a production standpoint.
Former five-star recruit Mykell Williams could be a player to watch on the EDGE. Sophomores Damon Wilson, Gabe Harris and Jordan Hall will also see action behind Warren Brinson, Nazir Stackhouse, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and Christen Miller can carry the load.
8. Tennessee Volunteers
Six of Tennessee’s top eight tacklers on the defensive line from 2023 will return to the program in 2024. Anchored by James Pearce — who tied the SEC lead for sacks with 10 — he is expected to continue his success.
Meanwhile, Omarr Norman-Lott should be healthy after battling injuries through his 5.5 sacks worth of production last year. Omari Thomas, a 320-pound defensive tackle, is expected to be a major issue for centers and guards across the SEC in 2024.
9. Kentucky Wildcats
Deone Walker is 350 pounds and arguably one of, if not the top nose guard in the country heading into next season. His game-changing abilities up front will be crucial to the Wildcats’ defensive efforts in 2024.
Add in the fact that Kentucky is returning all three starting defensive linemen from a year ago, the projected first-round NFL Draft pick is surrounded by a familiar supporting cast.
10. Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss returns 2023 starters Jared Ivey and JJ Pegues to the Rebels’ defensive line this season. Ivey earned third-team All-SEC honors last season after helping Ole Miss put together 35 sacks while allowing 4.0 yards per carry.
Head coach Lane Kiffin also added Texas A&M transfer Walter Nolen to the mix, who many believe will be an instant-impact performer in Oxford. The Rebels also have high hopes for true freshman Kam Franklin during his rookie college season.
No. 11-25
11. Notre Dame
12. Miami
13. Iowa
14. Alabama
15. Florida State
16. Iowa State
17. Clemson
18. Texas
19. Louisville
20. South Carolina
21. Oklahoma
22. Marshall
23. Oregon
24. Indiana
25. SMU