Where the top defensive linemen in the 2024 cycle are committed

With the high school and college football seasons underway, many of the top defensive linemen in the 2024 cycle have made their college decisions.

In August alone, Lee’s Summit (Mo.) North Five-Star Plus+ Williams Nwaneri, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy Five-Star Plus+ David Stone, Buford (Ga.) five-star Eddrick Houston and Lake Cormorant (Miss.) four-star Kamarion Franklin all pledged, taking a chunk of the top players at the position off the board.

Below are the top committed defensive linemen in the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies, and where they are heading.

Five-Star Plus+ Williams Nwaneri — Missouri

School: Lee’s Summit (Mo.) North
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 3
On3 NIL Valuation: $385K

Scouting Summary: “The most physically-gifted defensive line prospect in the 2024 cycle. Has an elite frame, measuring in at over 6-foot-6, 260 pounds and an 11-inch hand. Has elite length, with arms that measure in at over 36 inches. Moves very well for his size. Backed that up with a very strong 1.72 second 10-yard split at the UC Report’s Kansas City camp prior to his senior season. Also shows fluidity with change of direction in the camp setting. Flashed some of his high-end potential as a sophomore, but took a step as a junior. Finished his junior campaign with 22 tackles for loss and 12 sacks while helping his team to the state title game. Shows the ability to create disruption from multiple spots on the defensive line. The elite combination of length and athleticism creates mismatches, particularly as an interior pass rusher. Has improved his hands over time, flashing a budding swim move as a junior. Possesses the ability to neutralize linemen with his length. Displays very good flexibility with the ability to dip and bend around the edge. A loose, fluid mover in pursuit. Has the range and athleticism to run down skill players from behind. Improving his technical skill at the position but has immense upside and capacity for improvement. Can also continue to improve as a run defender and edge setter. Could project to a number of spots along the defensive front including along the edge, but looks to be a defensive lineman long-term given his frame and potential to add substantial mass.”

Five-Star Plus+ David Stone — Oklahoma

School: Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 8
On3 NIL Valuation: $372K

Scouting Summary: “Twitched up disruptor along the interior defensive line with outstanding short area quickness and burst. Measures at around 6-foot-4, 280 pounds with elite length for the position with arms that register around 35 inches. Tested extremely well during the summer camp circuit at the UC Report’s IMG Pro Day prior to his senior season. Jumped 28 inches in the vertical, ran a 5.00 40-yard dash and ran an impressive 4.41 shuttle. Violent off the snap, can split gaps with ease. Shoots his hands quickly and with precision off the line. Excellent hand usage and very slippery as a pass rusher. Uses his elite length and quick hands at the point of attack. Makes it tough for offensive linemen to ever get a hand on him. Stout against the run, with excellent ability to disengage from blockers. Not looking to stack and shed, wants to get off of blocks immediately. Can convert speed to power. Also a strong bull rusher. Can play a bit erratic at times and work himself out of plays. Just needs to play with more discipline and see the field better, but will come with time. High floor prospect who will always be a threat on passing downs. Will become a complete three-down player with further development. Transferred to IMG Academy after his first two seasons at Del City High School in Oklahoma.”

5-star Justin Scott — Ohio State

School: Chicago St. Ignatius
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 12
On3 NIL Valuation: $314K

Scouting Summary: “Naturally-gifted defensive tackle with rare movement skills. One of the more unique jumbo athletes early on in the 2024 cycle. Considered the top prospect from Chicago in several cycles. Measured in at 6-foot-4 and close to 315 pounds prior to his senior season. Has solid length with 33-inch arms. A light-footed, nimble athlete who moves like a much smaller player. Lines up both on the interior and the edge for his high school. Creates regular disruption with his quickness and ability to convert speed to power. Chases down plays from the back side and runs sideline-to-sideline with ease. A loose, fluid mover with natural flexibility. Shows his natural explosion as a finisher. Also doubles as a dominant offensive lineman. Could be one of the top offensive line prospects in the cycle, as well. Relatively new to football, playing his first season at the varsity level as a sophomore. Has a background as a soccer and basketball player. Will need to continue developing from a technical aspect, particularly with his hands. Rapid ascension and quick improvement point to a high ceiling.”

5-star Eddrick Houston — Ohio State

School: Buford (Ga.)
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 21
On3 NIL Valuation: $258K

Scouting Summary: “Powerful, versatile defensive lineman who imposes his will on opposing offensive linemen. Measured in at a shade under 6-foot-4, 275 pounds prior to his senior season. Added significant mass during his junior season. Has a naturally large frame with plus length for the position with arms that measure 34 inches. Primarily lines up as a defensive end in a 3-man front for Georgia power Buford High, where he faces strong competition.. A physical, high effort player who is active as a run defender. Capable of setting the edge. Shows the motor and athleticism to make high level plays in pursuit. Primarily a straight line pass rusher at this point. Looks to overpower offensive linemen with his bull rush. Has the length and speed to power to walk offensive linemen back to the quarterback. More of a linear athlete at this time. Will need to improve his bend flexibility if he’s to stick on the edge long-term. Could grow into a defensive tackle or play as a 4i in a 3-man front. Also has a wrestling background and runs track. Has a wrestling background and also runs track.”

5-star Dominick McKinley — Texas A&M

School: Lafayette (La.) Acadiana
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 22
On3 NIL Valuation: $252K

Scouting Summary: “Imposing interior defensive line prospect who combines pure power with impressive explosiveness and hand usage at the point of attack. Stature immediately catches your eye. Measures in at 6-foot-5, 280-plus pounds with tremendous length. Jumped an 30 inches in the vertical and ran a sub-5.0 40-yard dash during the summer camp circuit prior to his junior season. Threw 47-foot-11 in the shot put as well during his junior track and field campaign. Plays with outstanding leverage for someone his size. Possesses the ability to anchor at the point of attack. Uses his length effectively in order to gain control of his opponent. Sheds blockers with ease in the run game. Can really dig in and unlock his hips in order to maintain control at the point. Disruptive player who can knife between opponents and live in the backfield. Excellent get off and ability to penetrate off the snap. Finished his junior season with 18 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Not very nuanced as a pass rusher but will come with time and reps. High upside prospect with the potential to develop into an early round draft pick.”

4-star Kamarion Franklin — Ole Miss

School: Lake Cormorant (Miss.)
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 39
On3 NIL Valuation: $184K

Scouting Summary: “Edge defender that projects to DT who wreaks havoc on opposing offenses with his get off and brute strength. Ran an electronically-timed 5.28 40 and jumped a 25” vertical in the spring prior to his junior season. A two-sport athlete who also plays basketball. Disruptive off the edge and lives in the backfield. Totaled 11 sacks as a junior. Instinctive and heady player for a sophomore. Has some hip stiffness but makes up for it with foot speed and play recognition.”

4-star Joseph Jonah-Ajonye — Georgia

School: Conroe (Texas) Oak Ridge
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 44
On3 NIL Valuation: $164K

Scouting Summary: “Athletic, versatile defensive lineman with one of the higher developmental upsides at the position in the 2024 cycle. Measured at around 6-foot-3.5, 275 pounds prior to his senior season. Has a big frame and plus length with a 10.5-inch hand and arms that measure over 34 inches. An easy, natural athlete who moves like a much smaller player. Lines up at defensive end and inside on Friday nights. Flashes outstanding speed in pursuit, running down plays from the backside. Plays to the whistle and makes second effort plays. Shows quick hands at the point of attack. Is a mismatch due to his quickness and overall athleticism when he slides inside. Capable of overpowering offensive tackles as a edge setter against the run. Will need to continue honing his skill and growing as a player. Could stand to improve his pass rush. Born in Nigeria and did not start playing football until his freshman year of high school. Also extraordinarily young for the cycle, with a November birthday. Is the age of a 2025 prospect. Has notable upside based on his lower level of development and the room for growth relative to most other top 2024 prospects.”

4-star Dealyn Evans — Texas A&M

School: Longview (Texas) Pine Tree
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 66
On3 NIL Valuation: $134K

About: Evans has been committed to Texas A&M for over a year and helps headline the Aggies’ class, which ranks No. 6 in the nation, per the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking. He told On3’s Sam Spiegelman that he “won’t make a final decision until signing day“, as the likes of Alabama and Florida continue to try and pull off a flip.

“I’d probably say they’re under Florida as of right now,” Evans said of Alabama. “All my boys are down there. Jordan Renaud and Jalen Hale. I’ve got a couple of more. Also, it’s Bama at the end of the day. You can’t go wrong with it.”

4-star Jeremiah Beaman — Alabama

School: Birmingham (Ala.) Parker
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 74
On3 NIL Valuation: $121K

Scouting Summary: “Pass rushing defensive lineman with the potential to grow into a disruptive force on the interior. Measured at a shade under 6-foot-4, 250 pounds in the off-season prior to his senior year. Has solid length with a wing-span around 6-foot-7.5. Big-jointed with a big frame that should be able to add weight. Has 10.5-inch hands. Ran an electronically-timed 5.06 second 40-yard dash at Under Armour’s Atlanta camp. Lines up on the interior, at defensive end and as a pass rusher out of a two-point stance on Friday nights. Has upside as a pass rusher along the interior. Shows good instincts coming off the ball with his first step. A flexible athlete and uses his length and hands to get past offensive linemen. Capable of taking on and beating double teams. Plays with good effort in pursuit. Finished his junior season with 10 sacks, which is on the higher end for blue-chip defensive linemen. Also throws the shot put, with a best of 41-9 feet as a junior. A very good player who is a solid, not elite athlete at this stage.”

4-star Benedict Umeh — Stanford

School: Avon (Conn.) Old Farms
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 78
On3 NIL Valuation: $106K

Scouting Summary: “Physically-gifted defensive lineman who is new to football in the U.S. and has considerable developmental upside. Has unverified size, listed at around 6-foot-5, 260 pounds. Has a muscled build. Born in Nigeria, moved to Toronto, Canada where he started playing football. Transferred to Avon Old Farms, a boarding school in Connecticut prior to his season. Often lines up as a big defensive end in a 3-man front. Raw power and burst allow him to make plays in the backfield of opposing offenses. Twitched up with nice get off and burst off the line of scrimmage. Has shock in his hands at the point of attack. Shows the ability to stack and shed blockers with his hands for being so new to the sport. Picked up wrestling after his transfer to Avon Old Farms. Show an encouraging understanding of leverage and ability to manipulate blockers in his favor. Raw as a pass rusher. Will need to develop counter moves once the initial rush is stopped, which should come with collegiate coaching. Has upside considering he is still learning the nuances of the game. Best football is ahead of him. Older for the cycle, turning 19 years in the spring of his senior year.”