Athlon Sports ranks Top 10 DL units in college football for 2025

Defense starts at the line of scrimmage, which makes the defensive line the literal front line of any great defense. As part of its annual season preview magazine, Athlon Sports unveiled its list of college football’s Top 10 defensive lines ahead of the 2025 season.

While the Big Ten has dominated of late claiming back-to-back College Football Playoff national championships, the SEC still reigns when it comes to defensive fronts with four teams making Athlon’s Top 10, including three teams in the Top 5. Of course, the Big Ten isn’t without solid representation with three teams — including the last two national champs — landing among Athlon’s Top 10.

The ACC, meanwhile, has two teams on Athlon’s list while the Big 12 was left out of the Top 10 altogether. Whether success along the defensive line directly translates into wins in 2025 is yet to be seen, but given the powerful programs on Athlon’s list of college football’s top DLs, it certainly bodes well to be included.

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10. Miami Hurricanes

The Hurricanes’ defense ultimately struggled down the stretch, surrendering an average of 421.3 yards per game in its three losses while dropping three of its final four games of the 2024 season.

Nevertheless, Miami’s defensive front could be a real strength in 2025, especially with elite pass rusher Rueben Bain Jr. — the 2023 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year — coming off the edge in Year 3 in Coral Gables. The ‘Canes defensive line also includes returning 2024 sack leader Akheem Mesidor and massive 325-pound DT Ahmad Moten clogging up the middle.

9. Oklahoma Sooners

The Sooners’ defense simply hasn’t had much star power the last several seasons under head coach Brent Venables, who hasn’t had a defensive lineman selected in the NFL Draft since arriving in Norman ahead of the 2022 season.

Of course, that could change with the addition of former Georgia and Florida State transfer EDGE Marvin Jones Jr., a former five-star recruit in 2021. Jones pairs with fellow seniors DT Damonic Williams and DE R. Mason Thomas to provide the Sooners with a fierce veteran defensive front.

8. Michigan Wolverines

While the Wolverines took a slight step back in 2024 after winning the 2023 national championship, it wasn’t because of its defense, which featured the Big Ten’s third-best rush defense last season.

Led by senior EDGE Derrick Moore, Michigan will have one of college football’s most experienced defensive fronts, especially after the offseason transfer additions of graduate DTs Damon Payne (Alabama) and Tre Williams (Clemson).

7. Ohio State Buckeyes

The reigning national champion Buckeyes had college football’s top defense in 2024, leading the FBS in both total defense and scoring defense, while also ranking third nationally in rushing defense.

And while Ohio State lost its entire starting defensive front — DTs Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton and DEs JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer — to the NFL, the Buckeyes still boast plenty of talent up front. That includes North Carolina transfer EDGE Beau Atkinson, as well as returning veterans Eddrick Houston, Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Kayden McDonald and Will Smith Jr., the son of the late Ohio State legend.

6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The Fighting Irish defensive front flashed its potential when it flat-out dominated Georgia’s offensive line in their Sugar Bowl CFP national quarterfinal win last postseason, and returns much of the unit in 2025.

Junior DE Joshua Burnham leads the way after racking up 6.5 tackles for loss last season, and will work alongside senior veteran DTs Gabriel Rubio, Jason Onye and Jared Dawson, a 288-pound tranfer from Louisville this past offseason.

5. Alabama Crimson Tide

The Tide defense had its struggles during its first transitional season under new DC Kane Wommack, but returns all but Tim Smith, who was drafted in the sixth round in April, along its veteran defensive line.

That includes senior pass rusher LT Overton and veteran DTs Tim Keenan III and James Smith, as well as junior EDGE Kelby Collins, a four-star transfer from Florida. Given that returning experience, Year 2 under Wommack could be a special one up front at Alabama.

4. Georgia Bulldogs

For the first time in what feels like forever, Georgia didn’t have one of college football’s best defenses in 2024, ranking outside the Top 5 in the SEC in nearly every major defensive category.

Despite the perceived decline, the Bulldogs’ defensive front isn’t without elite talent, including massive DTs Jordan Hall (6-4, 320 lbs.) and Christen Miller (6-4, 305), as well as junior EDGEs Gabe Harris Jr. and Elo Modozie, a transfer from Army. And don’t overlook Five-Star Plus+ freshman Elijah Griffin, the No. 3 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class according to the On3/Rivals Industry Ranking.

3. Penn State Nittany Lions

The Nittany Lions had one of the best defenses in the Big Ten a year ago and may have actually gotten better with the addition of former Ohio State DC Jim Knowles, who replaced Tom Allen (Clemson).

Despite losing elite EDGE Abdul Carter to the NFL, Penn State’s defensive front is a veteran group that could be even stronger in 2025, led by senior EDGEs Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zuriah Fisher, and senior DTs Zane Durant and Alonzo Ford Jr.. Junior transfer Enai White (Texas A&M) also provides some star potential off the edge.

2. Clemson Tigers

As mentioned above, the Tigers shook things up defensively with the addition of former Penn State DC Tom Allen, the former Indiana head coach who’s known as one of college football’s elite defensive minds.

And Allen will have plenty to work with in 2025, led by superstar pass rusher T.J Parker, who racked up 11 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss as a sophomore in 2024, as well as a likely Top 10 pick in senior DT Peter Woods, a former 5-star recruit that simply eats up blockers for breakfast. Add in EDGE transfer Will Heldt (Purdue) and the Tigers defensive front will be scary in 2025.

1. Texas Longhorns

Last but hardly least are the Longhorns, which led the SEC in both total defense and passing defense last year, while also ranking third nationally allowing just 15.3 points per game in 2024.

And the defensive front is expected to be even better after some notable offseason additions out of the transfer portal, notably senior DTs Cole Brevard (Purdue) and Travis Shaw (North Carolina), who both tip the scales at over 330 pounds. They should allow former five-star freshman EDGE Colin Simmons to shine even brighter as one of college football’s best pass rushers in his second season in Austin.