B/R CFB 250: Top 13 Defensive Tackles
Bleacher Report's CFB 250 is an annual ranking of the best players in college football, regardless of NFL potential. Through interviews with B/R Experts Matt Miller, Michael Felder, Barrett Sallee and Adam Kramer, authors Brian Leigh and Brian Pedersen have studied, ranked and graded the top athletes in the country, narrowed that list to 250 and sorted by position. Today, Brian Leigh presents the Top 13 Defensive Tackles.
Other CFB 250 Positions
2015 was a top-heavy year for defensive tackles.
The top five players on this list were no-brainers: shoo-ins who each made a strong case for All-America teams. They weren't quite interchangeable, but the gap between them was narrow.
The gap between No. 5 and No. 6 was significant. No. 6 leads a deep group of players from the same conference—one of the few leagues with ample defensive tackle depth—but none threatened to crack the top five.
After that, the pickings get slim. Disappointing seasons from some of last year's breakout stars, coupled with a down year for blue-chip freshmen, made the position shallow. Georgia's Trenton Thompson and Tennessee's Kahlil McKenzie made our preseason CFB 250, but both were eased into action in 2015.
Both are waiting for next year to leave their mark.
But before we dig into the rankings, a disclaimer: The linemen who follow were graded as college prospects, not as NFL prospects. If they get the job done at this level, it's irrelevant how they project to the pros.
This is all about college performance.
Note: If two players finished with the same grade, the authors made a subjective call on which player they prefer.
13-9. Adams, Jones, Collins, Wujciak, Glasgow
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13. Montravius Adams, Auburn
Pass Rush: 32/40; Run Defense: 41/50; Motor: 8/10.
Some days, Montravius Adams can't be blocked. Other days, he's cellophane. He mixes dry spells with bouts of stardom, and for that he's a tough guy to scout. What can't be denied is his upside: Players his size (6'4", 306 lbs) shouldn't penetrate the gap with such quickness. But players his size who penetrate the gap with such quickness also shouldn't post mediocre stats.
12. Chris Jones, Mississippi State
Pass Rush: 33/40; Run Defense: 42/50; Motor: 7/10.
Chris Jones came to college with a boatload of hype. One of the best recruits in Mississippi State history, he ranked No. 18 on 247Sports' composite rankings and No. 2 on its proprietary rankings three years ago. He's been too good to earn the "bust" label, but he's never reached the level most predicted. An inconsistent motor and an awkward fit at tackle have slowed him, even though he has still made an impact.
11. Maliek Collins, Nebraska
Pass Rush: 34/40; Run Defense: 42/50; Motor: 7/10.
Maliek Collins did his best to hold together a broken Nebraska defense. The stats aren't great, and he still needs to show up more consistently, but when he flashes, he really flashes. Players with his size (6'2", 300 lbs) don't often move so fluidly. He could benefit from another year in college, but there's a chance he declares for the draft.
10. Connor Wujciak, Boston College
Pass Rush: 32/40; Run Defense: 44/50; Motor: 8/10.
Connor Wujciak was one of many Boston College defenders who flew under the radar but deserve recognition for helping to build the ACC's best defense. For his part, Wujciak posted 31 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks for a unit that led the country in adjusted line yards, per Football Outsiders. His game might never wow you, but he's technically sound and willing to do the dirty work. There's not a defense in the country that couldn't use him.
9. Ryan Glasgow, Michigan
Pass Rush: 31/40; Run Defense: 46/50; Motor: 8/10.
Ryan Glasgow wasn't Michigan's best defensive player, but he might have been its most important. The defense made that case against Indiana, when with Glasgow on the bench nursing an arm injury, the Hoosiers rushed for 307 yards and pushed the game to overtime. He's not very explosive against the pass, but Glasgow was the heart of Michigan's blue-collar run defense.
8. Malik McDowell, Michigan State
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B/R Expert Scouting
"Malik McDowell will be a top-five pick in the 2017 NFL draft, there is no doubt in my mind. This kid has a very rare blend of speed, power, size and otherworldly athleticism, almost like someone took Joey Bosa and Robert Nkemdiche and made a hybrid of them."
—Michael Felder
Pass Rush
Malik McDowell is a strong interior pass-rusher, even if the stats don't always show it. He is built more like a 3-4 end than a 4-3 tackle (6'6", 275 lbs) and has the speed to shoot the A-gap fairly often. But he's also blessed with rare natural power, which enables him to collapse the pocket. All he needs to add is more consistency.
Run Defense
McDowell is a monster in run support. He won't plug gaps like a nose tackle, but Michigan State doesn't ask him to; it asks him to get a strong push and make occasional plays in the backfield. He did that second part to the tune of 7.5 non-sack tackles for loss. As for that first part, Michael Felder said he "bench-presses guards."
Motor
McDowell doesn't flash as often as he should. He had 4.5 tackles for loss against Maryland but only one in the four games surrounding it. That doesn't mean he plays with a low motor because he doesn't. It just means he needs to channel his motor more evenly.
Overall
This is what happens when a 5-star recruit goes to East Lansing. McDowell was the No. 32 player in the 2014 class, per 247Sports' composite rankings, and committed to Sparty despite his parents trying to get him to go elsewhere. Based on his development as an underclassman, he made a smart choice for his career. Michigan State develops talent with the best of them.
7. Adolphus Washington, Ohio State
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B/R Expert Scouting
"He took a step back this year, but I still think he'll play in the NFL for a long time. Good work ethic, really good use of his length—he just disappears too often from games."
—Matt Miller
Pass Rush
After starting his career at defensive end, Adolphus Washington moved inside and has posted 8.5 sacks over the past two seasons. His quickness off the line is too much for most guards to handle; they're used to lumbering tackles instead of players who began their career at end. His strength is decent too, although he's not the type to occupy multiple blockers. He's more the type to shed them and attack.
Run Defense
On that same note, Washington is not a run-stuffing tackle. He started at the nose for Ohio State last season, so he doesn't struggle against the run, but he can sometimes be pushed off his mark. If he kicks back to end in the NFL, his size (6'4", 290 lbs)—which right now is less than ideal—would be perfect for a 3-4 end. As it stands, he is more of a playmaker than a down-to-down immovable object.
Motor
Washington is a high-motor player who loves the big stage. His best performance of 2015 came in Ohio State's only loss, when he ripped up Michigan State for seven tackles and a sack. He does lose points for the detail Matt Miller mentioned earlier: that he sometimes disappears from games. For the most part, though, he checks the box for "motor."
Overall
The loss of Michael Bennett took a toll on Washington's numbers. He's better as a sidekick than a star, so without Bennett soaking up attention, he couldn't get into the backfield as often. Still, he made an impact and raised his level when Ohio State needed him. You'll see him in the NFL next season.
6. Austin Johnson, Penn State
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B/R Expert Scouting
"I really like him. He can be a little lazy, but I think he's a great nose tackle. He moves really well and has a really good motor when engaged."
—Matt Miller
Pass Rush
After posting one sack in each of his first two seasons, Austin Johnson emerged with 5.5 sacks this season. He finished second on the team behind FBS sack leader Carl Nassib, who may not have reached 15.5 sacks without the attention Johnson commanded. Johnson's rare combination of size (6'4", 323 lbs), quickness and footwork make him a dangerous interior matchup.
Run Defense
Johnson stacks blocks in the running game and does a good job in passive support. He's a heavy load who likes to throw his weight around but also shoots the gap to make plays. He leads Penn State with 7.5 non-sack tackles for loss and is third with 70 tackles. Those numbers are almost unprecedented for someone at his position.
Motor
Johnson lacks the motor of the top names on this list. Matt Miller said he can "be a little lazy," and while that makes the issue sound worse than it actually is, he has a point. Johnson still earns an eight because those lazy spells are few and far between. The next step is getting rid of them.
Overall
Anthony Zettel broke out last season, recording eight sacks and 17 tackles for loss, but much of his production could be traced back to Johnson absorbing blocks. Nassib overshadowed him again this season, but Johnson got his own and posted huge numbers for a defensive tackle. Crazy as it sounds after Nassib won the Lombardi Award, he was not Penn State's best defensive lineman. That would be the big man in the middle.
5. Kenny Clark, UCLA
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B/R Expert Scouting
"With all the injuries they've had [at UCLA], he's been fantastic. He just does everything: quick off the ball, really good power, and he has that ability to convert."
—Matt Miller
Pass Rush
After notching one sack in 2013 and none in 2014, Kenny Clark broke out with five sacks in 2015. He did so despite the loss of teammate Eddie Vanderdoes, an attention-grabbing defensive end, to injury in the season opener. Where he used to contribute by eating space and freeing lanes for his teammates, he proved this year that he could also make plays for himself. Not many people saw that coming.
Run Defense
Clark is one of the most productive nose tackles in college football. He posted 57 tackles last season and finished second on the team with 64 tackles in the 2015 regular season. Those are incredible numbers for a player whose main job is clogging gaps. Clark has the size (6'3", 310 lbs) and strength to do that—and he does—but also disengages and makes his own tackles.
Motor
When Vanderdoes and linebacker Myles Jack went down with season-ending injuries, UCLA could have folded. It says a lot about Clark's motor that his production went up in their absence. Without his two best teammates, Clark became an even bigger leader for the Bruins. He loves to do the dirty work in the trenches.
Overall
Clark kept the Bruins afloat despite injury attrition. Their raw numbers don't look great, but without Clark, those numbers would look abysmal. He's a big ball of energy in the middle of the line and surprisingly athletic for his size. Bleacher Report's NFL draft guru, Matt Miller, said Clark might crack his top 15 overall prospects in the 2016 draft class.
4. Andrew Billings, Baylor
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B/R Expert Scouting
"He's just a beast. That low center of gravity is such a blessing because you can't get any leverage against him. It's impossible."
—Matt Miller
Pass Rush
Andrew Billings is a heavy load for pass-blockers. His size (6'2", 310 lbs) and low center of gravity make him a bull-rushing expert, and he probably gets the best push off the line in the country. His 5.5 sacks are good for a defensive tackle but only hint at his production in the passing game. The way he collapses the pocket is more important.
Run Defense
Baylor's front four does its job against the run, ranking No. 16 in the country in adjusted line yards, per Football Outsiders. Billings is at the heart of that effort, as he throws blockers into the backfield to knock runners off their lines. He also has surprising quickness for a big guy and posted 8.5 non-sack tackles for loss.
Motor
There's a very short list of players who outwork Billings. He carries the load for an otherwise streaky defense and sets the tone both physically and emotionally. He also never quits on a play, as he proved last season when he chased down a Kansas running back from behind. What else could one ask for from a defensive tackle?
Overall
It's fair to doubt Baylor's defense. It's fair, at times, to say the Bears are soft. But it's never fair to think those things of Billings. Shawn Oakman has the tighter body and flashier name, but Billings is Baylor's best lineman and has been for multiple years. It took until this season for people to notice, but Billings has been instrumental in Baylor's success.
3. Sheldon Day, Notre Dame
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B/R Expert Scouting
"I really love his character and motor. I wish everyone played the way he does. I have no idea [what position] he'll play in the NFL, but he's one of those guys you just want on your team."
—Matt Miller
Pass Rush
After posting 3.5 sacks in his first 35 games, Sheldon Day posted four as a senior. That's a solid number for a 3-4 defensive tackle, especially in addition to 13 quarterback hurries. Day's improvement against the pass has moved him from "a very good" defensive tackle to "one of the best." It rounded out his previously lopsided game.
Run Defense
Why was Day's game lopsided? Because even though he played fine against the pass, he played great against the run. That second part stayed true this season, when Day posted 41 tackles and 10.5 non-sack tackles for loss. He's small for a nose tackle (6'2", 285 lbs) but wins with leverage, technique and quickness.
Motor
Day sets the tone along Notre Dame's defensive line. He's a high-motor player who gets the most from his undersized frame. His work ethic is his defining characteristic; he's like a 6'7" power forward who grabs 10-12 rebounds per game. Think of him as college football's Kenneth Faried.
Overall
Watching Day develop has been a pleasure. He made an impact for the national runner-up in 2012 and improved each subsequent year. Before Day's junior season, head coach Brian Kelly said Day "can be the best defensive linemen we've had [at Notre Dame]" per Thayer Evans and Pete Thamel of SI.com. He might not have reached that ceiling, but he came closer than one might think.
2. Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss
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B/R Expert Scouting
"His stats didn't show how important he was as a sophomore, but I think the world finally saw as a junior, especially in the Alabama game, where he basically made a living in the backfield."
—Barrett Sallee
Pass Rush
He only has three sacks, but Robert Nkemdiche makes his presence felt in the passing game. For the most part, the only times he's not double-blocked are on plays on which he's triple-blocked. That attention frees up his teammates but doesn't always necessarily slow him down. His bull rush is a constant source of interior pressure.
Run Defense
Again, Nkemdiche outperforms the box score. He's single-blocked as often against the run as he is against the pass—i.e., almost never. He lacks the size of a nose tackle (6'4", 296 lbs) but has more than enough strength to hold his ground and stand firm in the hole. He also has the speed of a part-time running back, which allows him to make plays in the backfield.
Motor
Although he plays better than his numbers, Nkemdiche should still make more of a tangible impact than he does. He doesn't wake up and dominate lesser opponents to the extent that he should. He balances that by bringing his best stuff against marquee opponents—Alabama, anyone?—but needs to channel that energy more often.
Overall
Nkemdiche has had an interesting career. He was the No. 1 overall player in the 2013 recruiting class, per 247Sports' composite rankings, which made many college football fans expect monster numbers. The truth is he is not Jadeveon Clowney—the last top-ranked defensive lineman—and doesn't need to be. He's a tackle who does his best work away from the ball. For Ole Miss fans, that's perfectly fine.
1. A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama
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B/R Expert Scouting
"The most underrated player on Alabama's roster. Period. He's the most important piece of that defensive puzzle because of how they use him and what he can do."
—Barrett Sallee
Pass Rush
Alabama's pass rush has taken a giant step forward, and A'Shawn Robinson has played a big role in that. His stats don't show it—he has 3.5 sacks this season—but he's a space-eater who commands multiple blockers and frees up his teammates. You'd like to see him get more on his own, but he's a big part of Alabama ranking No. 2 in adjusted sack rate, per Football Outsiders.
Run Defense
Robinson is a do-it-all run defender who excels all over the line. He lines up most often at nose guard, where his size (6'4", 312 lbs) and strength make him ideal for a 3-4 defense, but he also has the quickness to play some end. Linebackers Reggie Ragland and Reuben Foster owe Robinson a large debt of gratitude. He makes their jobs 100 times easier.
Motor
Robinson plays like a maniac and always has. This year, he upped his consistency, which is why we bumped his motor from eight to nine. He owned the line of scrimmage on a weekly basis. While he never matched his level from the 2014 SEC Championship Game, he spread that motor evenly across the schedule. He's the beating heart of Alabama's defensive line.
Overall
Recruited as a 5-star offensive lineman, per 247Sports' composite rankings, Robinson took quickly to defense and has starred since his true freshman season. It took a while for the nation to catch on to him—such is the case with interior linemen—but Alabama's season made him impossible to ignore. The Crimson Tide's defensive line is the best unit in college football, and Robinson is its best player. That deserves some credit, don't you think?
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