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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio States last two seasons have been loaded with NFL talent both in the starting lineup and on the bench.
Will 2026 be the same? After two dominant years of defensive play, the Buckeyes turned over the position, and while there are some familiar faces, theyll rely heavily on some new names to bring them to a title.
Ohio State writers Andrew Gillis, Stefan Krajisnik and Stephen Means are putting together a list of their top 10 players/units by position in college football this year.
Our next ranking takes a look at the defensive lines.
Top 10: - Ohio State footballs Ryan Day could snap a 24-year drought by winning this award: Buckeye Breakfast - Will Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham be a threat to Ohio State? - How should the last five years of Michigan football be defined? - Bryce Underwood says hes the greatest player to ever come out of Michigan Buckeye Talk says prove it 10.
Clemson Clemson was one of the most disappointing teams in college football last season.
This year, the Tigers are hopeful they can get back their top-tier talent.
Will Heldt was a third-team All-ACC player last season and had 15.5 tackles per loss with 7.5 sacks.
London Merritt transferred in from Colorado, and is expected to make an impact.
Then theres blue-chip recruits, like Vic Burley, who is set to enter the starting lineup.
After a disappointing year a season ago, the Tigers are looking to put together their talent.
9.
Indiana Curt Cignetti proved in 2025 that his Hoosiers wouldnt get beaten in the trenches.
And that appears to be no different this season.
With a solid offensive line as well, Indiana returns Tyrique Tucker and has Mario Landino at defensive tackle.
But the unit will likely be as good as its ends.
After losing a host of players to the NFL, Indiana brought in Joe Hjelle from Tulsa, Tobi Osunsami and Chiddi Obiazor from Kansas State and Josh Burnham from Notre Dame.
If that talent blends together again, the Hoosiers will have one of the nations best defensive lines.
8.
Texas Tech Yes, Texas Tech lost David Bailey to the NFL Draft.
But the Red Raiders are still very talented along the trenches.
A.J.
Holmes is the start of the group as a tackle and the Preseason All-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.
Adam Trick, who transferred from Miami (Ohio), had eight sacks a season ago for the RedHawks.
Add in Wake Forest transfer Mateen Ibirogba (21 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss) and Oregon State transfer Jojo Johnson (18 tackles, 2.5 sacks) and the Red Raiders are loaded.
Then theres Trey White, Bryce Butler and Jamond Mathis that give this team far and away the best unit in the Big 12, and one of the best in the nation.
7.
Oklahoma Led by coach Brent Venables, the Sooners are set to be very talented up front.
David Stone is projected to be a first-round tackle in the 2027 NFL Draft, after a 43-tackle campaign a season ago.
He makes for one of the SECs best tackle pairings with Adepoju Adebawore.
Throw in Taylor Wein (seven sacks a season ago) off the edge, and Oklahoma should be able to cause massive chaos up front.
6.
Miami Miami nearly won a national title on the back of its defensive line a season ago.
And while that unit might not be as good in 2026, its still set to be loaded.
Ahmad Moten Sr.
and Justin Scott both return as defensive tackles, providing one of the best interior tandems in the country.
Then, Damon Wilson II -- a second-team All-SEC player a year ago -- and Marquise Lightfoot will rush off the edge.
Wilson had nine sacks for Missouri last year, while Lightfoot was a rotational piece behind Akheem Mesidor and Reuben Bain Jr.
The Hurricanes are still going to have one of the best defensive fronts in the sport, and that should lead them to an extremely high ceiling in 2026.
5.
Ole Miss Lane Kiffins departure certainly didnt mean the departure of elite defensive line talent.
The Rebels bring back defensive tackle Will Echoles, who might be the best in the nation.
He had 68 tackles and five sacks a season ago.
Suntarine Perkins and Kam Franklin provide talent off the edge, and the depth is loaded with fourth and fifth-year players.
If Ole Miss wants to return to the College Football Playoff, itll need its defense to live up to expectations.
4.
Michigan When Michigan hired Kyle Whittingham, it was about as good a program fit as could be -- because what makes his teams unique is a strong comparison.
Michigan returns defensive tackles Enow Etta and Trey Pierce III, who combined for 45 tackles a season ago.
Those two will have to carry the load in an otherwise young and inexperienced unit.
On the edge, theyll likely start Cameron Brandt and Dominic Nichols -- both will be stepping into new roles in 2026.
But John Henry Daley is the star of the show if hes healthy, as the Utah transfer had 11.5 sacks a season ago.
Whenever he returns, if hes full strength, Michigan should have one of the best lines in the Big Ten.
3.
Notre Dame Notre Dame might not have the star-power of some teams at the top, but it has the depth.
The Irish have defensive ends Boubacar Traore, Bryce Young and Alabama transfer Keon Keeley to rotate in at defensive end -- those three combined for 11.5 sacks a season ago.
If they take expected steps forward, Notre Dame will have three talented pass-rushers to rotate in.
Up the middle, two transfers (Francis Brewu from Pittsburgh and Tionne Gray from Oregon) join a handful of others that give them a legitimate six-man rotation full of size and speed.
2.
Texas Texas is once again loaded along the lines.
Colin Simmons, one of the top prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft, returns after a 43-tackle, 12 sack campaign a season ago.
Lance Jackson will rush on the opposite end after two sacks in his freshman season.
Up the middle, former Ohio State transfer Hero Kanu leads a deep defensive tackle room.
Alex January, Maraad Watson, Ian Geffrard and Zion Williams all figure to be rotational pieces as well.
Theres not just high-level NFL talent set to play for the Longhorns, but theres depth there too.
1.
Oregon One of the reasons why Oregon is entering the season as national title favorites is its defensive line -- which, almost unanimously, is viewed as the best in the nation entering 2026.
Teitum Tuioti and Matayo Uiagalelei return after having combined for 15.5 sacks a season ago.
They could very well be the nations best edge rushing tandem.
Then theres AMauri Washington and Bear Alexander up the middle, who combined for 83 tackles a season ago.
Those two could very well be the nations best tackle tandem.
Put together, all four are expected to be drafted in the 2027 NFL Draft -- and highly.
Theres blue-chip depth behind them, but on perhaps the nations best team, the Ducks defensive line might be the nations best unit.