Top defensive line signees in the 2025 class

Each of the top 50 defensive line prospects in the 2025 recruiting class — according to the On3 Industry Ranking — has now signed with a college program.

Ten different programs and three of the four Power 4 conferences are represented among the top 10 defensive linemen in the class.

Below are where the top defensive line prospects in the 2025 cycle signed earlier this month:

1. Elijah Griffin — Georgia

School: Pooler (Ga.) Savannah Christian Prep
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 5 NATL.

Scouting Summary: “Highly athletic, disruptive defensive lineman who looks like the top prospect along at the position in 4-5 cycles. Arguably the safest prospect, particularly among non-quarterbacks in the 2025 cycle. Measured at 6-foot-4, 300 pounds with 34.5-inch arms and 10-inch hands prior to his senior season. Has continued adding mass and strength. Flies off the snap and darts into the backfield to create disruption with regularity. A very loose and fluid athlete, particularly at his size. Plays with outstanding leverage and body lean. Shows advanced hands at the point of attack and quickly neutralizes offensive linemen. Darts into the backfield to make plays behind the line of scrimmage at a high clip. Consistently wins in a phone booth with his combination of length, strength and first-step quickness. Has the speed in pursuit to track down running backs from the back side. Plays with excellent effort, straining to make plays. Seemingly always shows up on a weekly basis.

“Posted phenomenal production throughout his high school career, with 182 tackles, 61 tackles for loss and 35.5 sacks as a sophomore and junior. Shows his functional strength and short area explosion in track and field, where he’s posted a 52-2 foot throw in the shot put. Posts eye-popping numbers in the weight room, with a 405 pound bench press, 550+ pound squat and 315 pound clean prior to his junior season. Projects as a top defensive lineman with the ability to line up and disrupt from multiple spots on a defensive front. Should make an instant impact at the college level and has definitive first round upside down the line.”

2. Justus Terry — Texas

School: Manchester (Ga.)
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 9 NATL.

Scouting Summary: “Explosive defensive lineman with a big frame and outstanding first-step quickness. Measured in at over 6-foot-4 and around 280 pounds prior to his senior season. Has good length with arms that are around 33.5 to 34 inches. Weight is evenly proportioned throughout his frame. Dominant while playing the small school level, tallying 78 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. Lines up all over the defensive front at the high school level. Has the skill set to develop into a dynamic interior pass rusher.

“Wins with first step and lateral quickness, has rare get off and leverage for a player of his stature. Quality bend and ability to change direction. Uses his length to initiate contact consistently and sheds blockers with ease. Able to anchor and two-gap if needed. Will need to continue adding mass and play strength in addition to honing his technical skills. A high upside prospect given his natural traits who could develop into a true interior disruptor.”

3. Jahkeem Stewart — USC

School: New Orleans Edna Karr
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 16 NATL.

Scouting Summary: “Physically-gifted defensive lineman with a high-end combination of twitch and technical ability at an early stage. Has a naturally big frame, measuring in at 6-foot-6, 280 pounds prior to his sophomore season. Has plus length for the position with arms that measure over 34 inches along with 10.75-inch hands. Put his name on the national radar with a number of impressive camp performances as a high school underclassman. Unique scenario and evaluation in that he only played one season of high school football – his true sophomore season in 2023 – due to being ineligible through multiple transfers and then reclassifying to the 2025 cycle. Has an immense amount of ambiguity around his evaluation due to the extreme lack of on-field experience.

“With that said, looked dominant in his lone year of high school football, totaling 33 tackles for loss and 20 sacks. Looked highly dangerous as an interior pass rusher. Flashes advanced technique despite his lack of experience. Uses quick hands to easily disengage. Has a nasty straight arm that he uses to walk offensive linemen back to the quarterback. Capable of playing as a big edge setter. A straight-line athlete. Displays some stiffness in his lower body and will have to improve his flexibility and lateral agility. One of the biggest unknowns in the cycle due to his unique circumstances. If he is able to get on the field and develop, has a chance to tap into the high ceiling.”

4. Iose Epenesa — Iowa

School: Edwardsville (Ill.)
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 43 NATL.

On3 Future Freak: “Iose Epenesa is a powerful, strong athlete who is a standout in the throwing events in track and field along with providing an enforcing presence on the hardwood.” He stands 5-foot-3, 265 pounds and touts 33.25-inch arms, 10.38-inch hand. He took second place in state finals last year with a 189-10.75 foot discus and also owns a 55-4.5 foot shot put.”

5. Amare Adams — Clemson

School: Lake City (S.C.) South Florence
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 47 NATL.

Analyst’s Take: “After hitting the radar early in his high school career, it’s been easy to turn on the tape and watch Adams’ development in the last couple years. He lines up inside and outside for Lake City and is a disruptive force anywhere along the defensive front.

…The reality is that he is simply too big and physical for most any high school offensive lineman, which allows him to wreak havoc in the backfield. Adams has traits, though, that translate well to the college level. He’s a long lineman who is already physically impressive but has plenty of room to add weight and play inside at the Power 5 level.” — GamecockCentral’s Wes Mitchell

6. Isaiah Campbell — Tennessee

School: Durham (N.C.) Southern
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 48 NATL.

Scouting Summary: “Twitched up interior presence who lives in the backfield on Friday nights. Measured at over 6-foot-3 and around 265 pounds as a junior. Has plus length and a big frame to add plenty of good mass. A top combine athlete who is highly explosive for his size. A dominant high school player who tallied 27 tackles for loss and 16 sacks as a junior. Shows high-level first-step quickness with the ability to time his initial burst with the snap count. Consistently blows up plays behind the line of scrimmage.

“Shows outstanding closing speed. Runs like an EDGE prospect in the body of a defensive lineman. Excellent effort and play speed in pursuit. Will run down plays 20 to 30 yards downfield. Has a basketball background. Transferred into Southern Durham for his junior season and showed considerable progress on the field. Will need to add at least 30 pounds of mass to his frame in addition to continuing to improve his hand usage and pass rush moves. Primarily wins with athleticism and effort at this stage. Considerable upside as an attacking, high energy and athletic 3-technique.”

7. Nate Marshall — Michigan

School: Oak Park (Ill.) Fenwick
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 59 NATL.

Scouting Summary: “Bendy big man that has unbelievable balance and body control for his stature combined with the power and explosiveness that makes him borderline unblockable at the point of attack. Two-way player that lines up at tight end and wide receiver as well. Measured in at 6-foot-4, 270 pounds during summer campus visits.

“Tested well in agility drills during camp settings. Great weight distribution throughout his frame. Possesses excellent raw power and shock in his hands. Has the ability to rush the passer from the edge if asked to do so. Will develop proper pad level and contact initiation at the next level with collegiate coaching. Has tremendous upside due to frame and athletic tools. Best football is ahead of him.”

8. DJ Sanders — Texas A&M

School: Bellville (Texas)
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 70 NATL.

Analyst’s Take: “Sanders has some Chris Whaley to his game. He has 4i athleticism and shows off quick twitch in setting the edge. Even with that athleticism, he has the strength to play 3-tech. He flies to the ball and looks to cause a turnover on every play. A freaky athlete who also has some refinement to his game.” — Inside Texas’ Charlie Williams

9. Kevin Wynn — Florida State

School: Greensboro (Ga.) Greene County
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 74 NATL.

Analyst’s Take: “He’s so quick for a man so large. Wynn is still figuring out how to play the game but his natural instincts are unique. Wynn has a stout build that allows for power and leverage but then he’s capable of chasing down plays two or three gaps down the line. He’s also got powerful hands. Wynn detonates on impact. He’s an impactful interior playmaker that fits in any scheme.” — DawgsHQ’s Jeremy Johnson

10. Malik Autry — Auburn

School: Opelika (Ala.)
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 87 NATL.

Scout’s Take: “Malik Autry is the most physically imposing defensive lineman for the Alabama team. The 6-foot-5.5, 320-pounder had some dominant moments over the first two practices. Autry was disruptive when he timed up his get-off and stayed low. The Auburn signee played multiple spots along the front, particularly shining as an interior pass rusher. He will need to continue improving the consistency on a snap-to-snap basis, but the upside was on display in Mobile.” — On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power