NCAAF · 1 month ago

Ranking the Top 35 College Football Interior Defensive Linemen for 2025

Grant White

Host · Writer

35. James Williams - Florida State Seminoles
After two years with Nebraska and limited playing time, James Williams entered the transfer portal this spring. Eventually, he signed on with the Florida State Seminoles, where he's expected to be a regular on their defensive line. In two seasons, Williams tallied a cumulative 18 tackles and 7.0 sacks, totals that look achievable this season at Florida State.
1. Darrell Jackson Jr. - Florida State Seminoles
Top 10 CFB OL in 2025

Darrell Jackson Jr. has everything you're looking for in one of the top interior defensive lineman in the country. The one trait that pops right away from Jackson Jr. is his elite strength and leverage. Jackson Jr's. frame and power have helped create a mean player to limit on defense. Despite being a monster in size, that hasn't stopped Jackson Jr. from being agile, especially with his overall lateral mobility. He boasts a good football IQ, and has the heavy hands necessary to create strong mismatches against blockers. The scary thing for Jackson Jr. is that he's not a finished product, and still has plenty of room to grow at Florida State.
2. DeMonte Capehart - Clemson Tigers
DeMonte Capehart checks all of the boxes that you're looking for in an interior defensive lineman. Capehart's size and power stick out immediately, which help give him an explosive advantage against blockers in battles. Capehart thrives against the run, handling double teams with his elusiveness and power. In addition, Capehart's ability to shed blocks and create interior pressure with a powerful bull rush make him a prominent name to know heading into the next college football season.
3. Dontay Corleone - Cincinnati Bearcats
Top 30 CFB QBs in 2025

It's easy to get excited about a player when his nickname is "The Godfather", which is exactly the case with Dontay Corleone at Cincinnati. Corleone is an athletic monster that benches 485, squats 605 and deadlifts 700. Talk about an absolute animal in the weight room. Corleone excels with the bull rush, and is consistently effective at taking down double teams in the run game. Corleone is physical, athletic, and dominant in the interior. His power and overall quickness make his tape very impressive to watch.
4. Zane Durant - Penn State Nittany Lions
The one thing that immediately pops with Zane Durant at Penn State is his elite athleticism. Durant is an athletic freak that puts up major numbers in the weight room. Durant might not have the ideal size at his position, but his overall explosive tendencies make him pop right away on tape. Durant's a high character guy that boasts one of the top motors at his position. You'll never have to question his heart, or his overall football IQ. Durant has the major skillset to continue making a big name for himself in 2025.
5. Lee Hunter - UCF Knights
Top 15 CFB RBs in 2025

The burst and quickness that Lee Hunter continues to demonstrate immediately make him a talent worth keeping an eye on. Although he'll never be a primary pass rusher, he can contribute in that facet, which helps make him well rounded at his position. Hunter boasts quick and active hands, which make him a threat to continue elevating his game to an elite level moving forward.
6. Peter Woods - Clemson Tigers
Peter Woods is a standout defensive lineman for the Clemson Tigers, known for his exceptional blend of size, agility, and football IQ. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 315 pounds, Woods has demonstrated versatility on the defensive line, and has a very high ceiling at the position. I was overall extremely impressed at his continued growth and am expecting big things from him in 2025.
7. DJ Hicks - Texas A&M Aggies
DJ Hicks is a versatile defensive lineman known for his athleticism and strength. As a sophomore at Texas A&M, Hicks played in all 13 games, starting in the bowl game due to opt-outs. He accumulated 17 total tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. His versatility has allowed him to play multiple positions on the line, helping create real mismatches against opposing offenses.
8. Jordan Hall - Georgia Bulldogs
Jordan Hall, a defensive lineman from Georgia, stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs 320 pounds. Known for his impressive combination of size, strength, and agility, Hall has been a formidable presence on the Bulldogs' defensive front. With some key members moving onto the NFL, Hall has the upside to play an even bigger role for the Bulldogs in 2025 and become the next great interior defender out of Athens.
9. Jason Moore - Ohio State Buckeyes
A former four-star recruit from DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, Jason Moore was ranked as the No. 2 player in Maryland and the No. 8 defensive lineman nationally in the 2023 class. Moore has a major motor and has the skillset to be a big contributor in stopping the run in 2025. The Buckeyes defense is once again expected to be great, with Moore playing a sizable role.
10. James Smith - Alabama Crimson Tide
James Smith is a sophomore defensive lineman for the Alabama Crimson Tide, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 296 pounds. Hailing from Montgomery, Alabama, he was a five-star recruit from Carver High School. Smith showcased some production last year with his explosive burst in the interior. The upside is very real for another high-end prospect on defense at Alabama.
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11. Christen Miller - Georgia Bulldogs
We saw exactly what Christen Miller was made of in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal, and that’s the version we expect to see throughout the 2025 season. Miller boasted five tackles and broke up a pass versus Notre Dame, showcasing his full arsenal of tools. That’s the kind of production we expect from the soon-to-be junior throughout the upcoming campaign.
12. Tim Keenan III - Alabama Crimson Tide
Tim Keenan III has been a highly regarded interior lineman since joining the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2022. Still, his profile is expected to continue growing in 2025. Keenan is coming off a career-best 40 tackles and 2.5 sacks, benchmarks that are sure to increase this season.
13. Domonique Orange, Iowa State Cyclones
Domonique Orange is a disruptive presence on the Iowa State Cyclones' defensive line. While his stat line is relatively modest, Orange is more than capable of penetrating offensive lines to disrupt timing and consistently takes on double teams. He will earn a more devout following in 2025.
14. Aaron Graves - Iowa Hawkeyes
Arguably, there is no better interior pass-rusher than Aaron Graves. The Iowa Hawkeye has been a menace at getting to quarterbacks, recording 12.0 sacks over the last two seasons. Another monumental effort is anticipated in 2025.
15. Rayshaun Benny - Michigan Wolverines
There are significant gaps to fill on the Michigan Wolverines' defensive line. Thankfully, Rayshaun Benny will be up to the task. A premier run-stopper, Benny had 29 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 2024 and will be asked to take on an even heftier workload this season.
16. Gracen Halton - Oklahoma Sooners
What he lacks in size, Gracen Halton makes up for with quickness and agility, all without compromising power. The Oklahoma Sooner had 5.0 sacks as a junior, adding two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. If the Sooners make a more sincere run up the standings this season, they will be led by Halton.
17. Anthony Bynum - Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Anthony Bynum emerged as one of the premier freshmen defenders in 2024. The Georgia native redshirted in 2023, earning 11 starts and appearing in all 12 games last season. Bynum amassed a whopping 60 tackles, 6.5 of which came for a loss, with 2.5 sacks, and one pass defensed. Easily, he will be one of the top defensive linemen in the country next season.
18. Bernard Gooden - LSU Tigers
A four-star transfer prospect, Bernard Gooden, will make his presence felt on the LSU Tigers' defensive line next season. Gooden spent the 2024 campaign with the South Florida Bulls, accumulating 35 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two passes defensed. While facing stiffer competition in the SEC, Gooden will be up to the task throughout.
19. Keeshawn Silver - USC Trojans
After spending the past two seasons of his career with the Kentucky Wildcats, Keeshawn Silver is making the jump to the Big Ten for his senior year. The defensive lineman broke into the college ranks with North Carolina, transferring to the Wildcats ahead of 2023. With one season of eligibility remaining, Silver is looking to build on his 26 tackles with the USC Trojans.
20. Deante McCray - Florida State Seminoles
Deante McCray had a coming-out party in 2024. The sophomore tallied 56 tackles in 14 games, getting to opposing quarterbacks for 2.5 sacks. His playing profile rose dramatically with the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, precipitating a switch to the Florida State Seminoles during the winter transfer period.
21. David Blay - Miami Hurricanes
David Blay had a triumphant end to his junior season, parlaying that success into a spot with a championship contender. He recorded 5.5 sacks over the last six games of the 2024 season, seemingly getting better with each game. After three seasons with the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, Blay has transferred to the Miami Hurricanes for the 2025 campaign.
22. Santana Hopper - Tulane Green Wave
Another disruptive defensive lineman is on the move this offseason. After terrorizing opponents for three years with the Appalachian State Mountaineers, Santana Hopper has signed on with the Tulane Green Wave. The soon-to-be junior has recorded at least 34 tackles and 3.5 sacks in each of his first two seasons, benchmarks that should be surpassed in 2025.
23. Corey Walker - Wisconsin Badgers
It didn't take Corey Walker long to make an impact in the college ranks. In two seasons with the Western Michigan Broncos, the hulking defensive lineman recorded 69 tackles and 8.0 sacks. Walker will be testing his skillset against some of the premier competition in the country, transferring to the Wisconsin Badgers for the 2025 season.
24. Gabe Kirschke - Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Out of nowhere, Gabe Kirschke emerged as a shutdown defensive lineman. Last season with the Colorado State Rams, Kirschke tallied 42 tackles and 6.5 sacks as a sophomore. Next up, he'll be an integral part of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons' defensive schemes, joining the ACC squad for the upcoming season.
25. Jimmy Scott - Pittsburgh Panthers
Jimmy Scott is starting to evolve into a game-changing defensive stalwart. Last season, the sophomore recorded 6.0 sacks and 30 tackles with the Pittsburgh Panthers. He should be expected to deliver more meaningful production as he enters his upper-classman years.
26. Jared Dawson - Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Expect Jared Dawson to become more of a household name now that he's playing with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Last season with Louisville, he recorded a career-best 19 tackles, with 6.5 of those coming for a loss. Further, he got to opposing quarterbacks for four sacks.

His presence on Notre Dame's defensive line makes them a legitimate contender again in 2025.
27. Max Llewellyn - Iowa Hawkeyes
The Iowa Hawkeyes have a one-man wrecking ball in Max Llewellyn. He appeared in all 13 games as a junior, totaling 22 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and eight tackles for a loss. In doing so, he earned the team's Hustle Award and was named to Athlon Sports' All-Big Ten third team to start the 2025 campaign.
28. Anthony Smith - Minnesota Golden Gophers
Anthony Smith is ready for a breakout campaign in 2025. The Minnesota Golden Gophers' defensive lineman appeared in all 13 games last season, earning three starts and recording 27 tackles, with almost half of those (11.5) coming for a loss. He's active at the line of scrimmage with one pass defensed and also blocking a field goal attempt.
29. Jackie Johnson III - Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
A two-sport athlete, Jackie Johnson III has become a force on the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors' defensive line. As a junior, Johnson totaled 20 tackles and a team-high 5.0 sacks and five quarterback hits. While he likely won't get the recognition he deserves while playing for Hawaii, Johnson has emerged as one of the premier linemen in college football.
30. Drew Hughes - Ball State Cardinals
It's time to show some love for an underappreciated nose tackle. Drew Hughes was a staple on the Ball State Cardinals' defensive line last season. He started 11 games for Ball State and appeared in all 12, tallying 22 tackles and a pass breakup.

Expectations are high in 2025, as Hughes was named to the All-MAC Team ahead of Week 0.
31. Donovan Hinish - Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Donovan Hinish came into his own last season, and he'll be expected to ratchet the bar even higher in 2025. The Notre Dame product tallied 35 total tackles, with 19 of those being solo hits. Additionally, as a sophomore, Hinish recorded a career-best 4.5 sacks while also batting down a pass. Anything short of those benchmarks this season would be a disappointment.
32. Tre Smith - Arizona Wildcats
Tre Smith probably deserves to be higher on this list. However, after a scintillating 2023 campaign, he took a step back last season. The soon-to-be senior totaled 17 solo tackles and 4.5 sacks, down from his previous career-bests of 31 and 6.5, respectively, the year prior. If he can get back up to that form, we would see the Arizona Wildcats' product rocket up the list.
33. Clayton Smith - Arizona State Sun Devils
Another Big 12 defensive lineman capable of big things, Clayton Smith has gradually increased his production year-over-year. Inarguably, 2024 was his most dominant campaign, as Smith registered 33 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and four passes defensed. That trajectory could carry him into the NFL Draft conversation by year's end.
34. David Reese - Syracuse Orange
Nobody has spent more time in the college ranks than David Reese. A man among boys, Reese started his collegiate career with Florida back in 2018. Injuries derailed his career early, and it wasn't until he joined Cal in 2023 that he began to see regular playing time. With that, he's got one year of eligibility remaining, and Reese will spend it with the Syracuse Orange, looking to improve on his 22 tackles and 4.5 sacks from last season.
35. James Williams - Florida State Seminoles
After two years with Nebraska and limited playing time, James Williams entered the transfer portal this spring. Eventually, he signed on with the Florida State Seminoles, where he's expected to be a regular on their defensive line. In two seasons, Williams tallied a cumulative 18 tackles and 7.0 sacks, totals that look achievable this season at Florida State.
1. Darrell Jackson Jr. - Florida State Seminoles
Top 10 CFB OL in 2025

Darrell Jackson Jr. has everything you're looking for in one of the top interior defensive lineman in the country. The one trait that pops right away from Jackson Jr. is his elite strength and leverage. Jackson Jr's. frame and power have helped create a mean player to limit on defense. Despite being a monster in size, that hasn't stopped Jackson Jr. from being agile, especially with his overall lateral mobility. He boasts a good football IQ, and has the heavy hands necessary to create strong mismatches against blockers. The scary thing for Jackson Jr. is that he's not a finished product, and still has plenty of room to grow at Florida State.

Ranking the Top 35 College Football Interior Defensive Linemen for 2025

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