[h=1]Utah's defensive line ranks atop big boys Alabama, Clemson[/h]
Phil Steele
ESPN PLUS ($ MATERIAL)
Which college football programs have the best defensive lines heading into 2019? The top pick returns its entire front four and is poised for another strong season. Here are the top 15.
[h=3]1. Utah Utes[/h]The Utes continue to produce elite defensive lines, as this position is the primary recruiting emphasis here. This season is no different, as all four starters return after allowing just 100 yards per game on the ground (No. 5 in FBS) while collecting 37 sacks. Defensive end Bradlee Anae (eight sacks in 2018) and defensive tackles Leki Fotu and John Penisini are listed as either first or second on my All-Pac-12 preseason team, with each player likely having a future in the NFL.
[h=3]2. Auburn Tigers[/h]Last season, the Tigers had nine of their top 10 returning. While the rush numbers surprisingly slipped some, to 136 yards allowed per game (with 38 sacks), three starters are back for 2019, including Derrick Brown (10.5 tackles for loss in 2018) and Nick Coe, who recorded seven sacks last season. With 12 very highly touted players in the unit, the Tigers should have much-improved numbers in 2019.
[h=3]3. Alabama Crimson Tide[/h]The Tide lost a trio of draft picks from this unit ahead of the 2018 season, and the rushing yards allowed increased to 121 per game, but their sack total went up, to 45. This season, Alabama loses a pair of All-Americans, including third overall pick Quinnen Williams (11.5 tackles for loss in 2018). While just one starter returns, the Tide do get five of their top eight back, and they add five very highly thought-of prospects. After allowing the highest yards per game total on the ground since Nick Saban's first season in Alabama, substantial improvement is expected from this unit.
[h=3]4. Michigan State Spartans[/h]The Spartans returned six of their top eight in 2018 and improved to a nation-leading 78 rush yards allowed per game while collecting 28 sacks. While the rush yards per game are likely to increase some following Michigan State's best showing since 1999, all four starters return and six of the top seven are back, with Kenny Willekes (8.5 sacks in 2018), Mike Panasiuk, and Raequan Williams all landing on my All-Big Ten preseason team.
[h=3]5. Clemson Tigers[/h]The Tigers improved their rush yards allowed per game to just 96 yards in 2018 and led the nation in sacks with 54 after all four starters shockingly turned down the NFL to return. While those four depart (three first-round picks, one fourth-round pick) for 2019, the cupboard isn't bare. Eleven very heralded players remain in the group, including defensive end Xavier Thomas, who posted 10.5 tackles for loss as a true freshman. This will still be an elite group, despite the significant losses.
[h=3]6. LSU Tigers[/h]With a long history of coaching defensive lines earlier in his career, it's no surprise that head coach Ed Orgeron has this unit in the top 10. Last season, the group surrendered 139 yards per game on the ground and recorded 34 sacks. The Tigers lose just a single starter for 2019 and are much more experienced with Rashard Lawrence (6.5 tackles for loss in 2018) and Glen Logan leading the way.
[h=3]7. Miami Hurricanes[/h]The Hurricanes allowed 143 yards per game on the ground in 2018 while finishing tied for the national lead with 136 tackles for loss (also recording 40 sacks). This season, the Canes part ways with a pair of starters, including second-team All-American Gerald Willis (14 tackles for loss last season). Miami does, however, add a pair of Power 5 transfers to go along with Jonathan Garvinand Pat Bethel, and this group is just experienced as last season.
[h=3]8. Ohio State Buckeyes[/h]The Buckeyes, surprisingly, struggled last season, as their 158 rush yards allowed per game was the most in Columbus since 1999. But Ohio State still got to the quarterback last season, recording 41 sacks. While the losses are significant this season with the departures of Nick Bosa (second overall pick in the NFL draft) and Dre'Mont Jones (8.5 sacks in 2018, third-round draft pick), six of the top eight return, including five with prior starting experience. With 13 very promising players in the unit, the Buckeyes should see some solid improvement up front in 2019.
[h=3]9. Penn State Nittany Lions[/h]The Nittany Lions are known for their solid defensive front seven and rush defense. While defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos emerged with the most tackles for loss for Penn State in a season (20) since 2008, the overall rush yards allowed jumped to 169 per game. But Penn State did record 47 sacks, its best mark since 1999. This season, the Nittany Lions have six of the top eight from this unit back, and improvement is likely in store after their worst rush yards allowed per game figure in 15 seasons.
[h=3]10. Florida Gators[/h]The Gators switched to a 3-4 defensive scheme in 2018 and improved slightly with eight of their top 10 D-linemen back, allowing 163 rush yards per game. This season, Florida returns all three starters and has five very highly touted prospects among the group. With the departure of just a single backup heading into 2019, the Gators should return to their usual spot among the SEC's best.
[h=3]11. Notre Dame Fighting Irish[/h]Notre Dame returned three starters last season and the rush yards allowed per game (139) and sacks (38) both improved. This season, the Fighting Irish lose a first-round NFL draft pick in Jerry Tillery (eight sacks in 2018) but do have six of the top eight back, and there are 14 very promising players in the group overall. With defensive ends Khalid Kareem and Julian Okwara (eight sacks in 2018) leading the way, the Irish defensive front could be just as good in 2019.
[h=3]12. Iowa State Cyclones[/h]The Cyclones returned three of their top four for 2018, including JaQuan Bailey and Ray Lima (both second-team All-Big 12). This season, the top four return on the Big 12's top defensive line, which not only had its best rush yards allowed per game mark since 2005 at 115, but also its highest sack total (33) in over 20 seasons.
[h=3]13. Michigan Wolverines[/h]Michigan had four of its top five back in 2018, with 12 very highly thought-of players on a unit that allowed 127 rush yards per game (and collected 34 sacks). The Wolverines lose a trio of starters ahead of this season, including first- and third-round NFL draft picks, but they do have Carlo Kempback. The unit does feature plenty of incoming talent, including true freshmen Chris Hinton and Mazi Smith, and adds Central Michigan transfer Mike Danna, who was first-team All-MAC in 2018.
[h=3]14. South Carolina Gamecocks[/h]The Gamecocks returned three starters in 2018, allowing 195 yards per game on the ground and recording 26 sacks. This season, South Carolina returns three starters once again, led by the duo of D.J. Wonnum and Javon Kinlaw. With 10 very promising players in the group, there should be a considerable improvement from the Gamecocks' front line in 2019.
[h=3]15. TCU Horned Frogs[/h]Following an outstanding 2017 in which it allowed just 104 yards per game rushing and recorded 42 sacks, TCU's overall numbers took a hit in 2018, allowing 139 yards per game rushing and dipping to 35 sacks. While the Horned Frogs do add grad transfer Shameik Blackshear from South Carolina, they do part ways with first- and second-round NFL draft picks at defensive end. Corey Bethley and Ross Blacklock (Achilles injury in 2018) arguably form one of the best defensive tackle combinations in the country, and overall this group will be reliable this season.
Phil Steele
ESPN PLUS ($ MATERIAL)
Which college football programs have the best defensive lines heading into 2019? The top pick returns its entire front four and is poised for another strong season. Here are the top 15.
[h=3]2. Auburn Tigers[/h]Last season, the Tigers had nine of their top 10 returning. While the rush numbers surprisingly slipped some, to 136 yards allowed per game (with 38 sacks), three starters are back for 2019, including Derrick Brown (10.5 tackles for loss in 2018) and Nick Coe, who recorded seven sacks last season. With 12 very highly touted players in the unit, the Tigers should have much-improved numbers in 2019.
[h=3]3. Alabama Crimson Tide[/h]The Tide lost a trio of draft picks from this unit ahead of the 2018 season, and the rushing yards allowed increased to 121 per game, but their sack total went up, to 45. This season, Alabama loses a pair of All-Americans, including third overall pick Quinnen Williams (11.5 tackles for loss in 2018). While just one starter returns, the Tide do get five of their top eight back, and they add five very highly thought-of prospects. After allowing the highest yards per game total on the ground since Nick Saban's first season in Alabama, substantial improvement is expected from this unit.
[h=3]4. Michigan State Spartans[/h]The Spartans returned six of their top eight in 2018 and improved to a nation-leading 78 rush yards allowed per game while collecting 28 sacks. While the rush yards per game are likely to increase some following Michigan State's best showing since 1999, all four starters return and six of the top seven are back, with Kenny Willekes (8.5 sacks in 2018), Mike Panasiuk, and Raequan Williams all landing on my All-Big Ten preseason team.
[h=3]5. Clemson Tigers[/h]The Tigers improved their rush yards allowed per game to just 96 yards in 2018 and led the nation in sacks with 54 after all four starters shockingly turned down the NFL to return. While those four depart (three first-round picks, one fourth-round pick) for 2019, the cupboard isn't bare. Eleven very heralded players remain in the group, including defensive end Xavier Thomas, who posted 10.5 tackles for loss as a true freshman. This will still be an elite group, despite the significant losses.
[h=3]6. LSU Tigers[/h]With a long history of coaching defensive lines earlier in his career, it's no surprise that head coach Ed Orgeron has this unit in the top 10. Last season, the group surrendered 139 yards per game on the ground and recorded 34 sacks. The Tigers lose just a single starter for 2019 and are much more experienced with Rashard Lawrence (6.5 tackles for loss in 2018) and Glen Logan leading the way.
[h=3]7. Miami Hurricanes[/h]The Hurricanes allowed 143 yards per game on the ground in 2018 while finishing tied for the national lead with 136 tackles for loss (also recording 40 sacks). This season, the Canes part ways with a pair of starters, including second-team All-American Gerald Willis (14 tackles for loss last season). Miami does, however, add a pair of Power 5 transfers to go along with Jonathan Garvinand Pat Bethel, and this group is just experienced as last season.
[h=3]8. Ohio State Buckeyes[/h]The Buckeyes, surprisingly, struggled last season, as their 158 rush yards allowed per game was the most in Columbus since 1999. But Ohio State still got to the quarterback last season, recording 41 sacks. While the losses are significant this season with the departures of Nick Bosa (second overall pick in the NFL draft) and Dre'Mont Jones (8.5 sacks in 2018, third-round draft pick), six of the top eight return, including five with prior starting experience. With 13 very promising players in the unit, the Buckeyes should see some solid improvement up front in 2019.
[h=3]9. Penn State Nittany Lions[/h]The Nittany Lions are known for their solid defensive front seven and rush defense. While defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos emerged with the most tackles for loss for Penn State in a season (20) since 2008, the overall rush yards allowed jumped to 169 per game. But Penn State did record 47 sacks, its best mark since 1999. This season, the Nittany Lions have six of the top eight from this unit back, and improvement is likely in store after their worst rush yards allowed per game figure in 15 seasons.
[h=3]10. Florida Gators[/h]The Gators switched to a 3-4 defensive scheme in 2018 and improved slightly with eight of their top 10 D-linemen back, allowing 163 rush yards per game. This season, Florida returns all three starters and has five very highly touted prospects among the group. With the departure of just a single backup heading into 2019, the Gators should return to their usual spot among the SEC's best.
[h=3]11. Notre Dame Fighting Irish[/h]Notre Dame returned three starters last season and the rush yards allowed per game (139) and sacks (38) both improved. This season, the Fighting Irish lose a first-round NFL draft pick in Jerry Tillery (eight sacks in 2018) but do have six of the top eight back, and there are 14 very promising players in the group overall. With defensive ends Khalid Kareem and Julian Okwara (eight sacks in 2018) leading the way, the Irish defensive front could be just as good in 2019.
[h=3]12. Iowa State Cyclones[/h]The Cyclones returned three of their top four for 2018, including JaQuan Bailey and Ray Lima (both second-team All-Big 12). This season, the top four return on the Big 12's top defensive line, which not only had its best rush yards allowed per game mark since 2005 at 115, but also its highest sack total (33) in over 20 seasons.
[h=3]13. Michigan Wolverines[/h]Michigan had four of its top five back in 2018, with 12 very highly thought-of players on a unit that allowed 127 rush yards per game (and collected 34 sacks). The Wolverines lose a trio of starters ahead of this season, including first- and third-round NFL draft picks, but they do have Carlo Kempback. The unit does feature plenty of incoming talent, including true freshmen Chris Hinton and Mazi Smith, and adds Central Michigan transfer Mike Danna, who was first-team All-MAC in 2018.
