Projecting Every Conference's Best D-Line in 2024 CFB Season
Elite defenses can be built in various ways, but pressure and disruption are often the backbone of outstanding units.
As we look ahead to the 2024 season, B/R is breaking down every position in every conference and projecting the best unit within each league. The choices are subjective but consider past production—including from transfers—and meaningful position-related context.
First in this offseason series, we looked at running backs. Today, it's all about the chaos-causing defensive lines.
Note: Oregon State and Washington State, which are affiliated with the Mountain West in 2024, are considered within the MWC.
American, C-USA and MAC
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AAC: Tulane Green Wave
Even though Devean Deal and his 13 tackles for loss transferred to TCU, the Green Wave return a promising unit.
The leader is veteran defensive tackle Patrick Jenkins, who's posted 19.5 TFLs over the last two years. Also in the middle, Kameron Hamilton tallied six TFLs in 2023. Angelo Anderson and Matthew Fobbs-White are among the experienced backups stepping into larger roles on the edge.
C-USA: Liberty Flames
Jacksonville State would've demanded a place in this discussion, but star rusher Chris Hardie entered the portal in the spring. As a result, the conference front-runner gets another nod.
Liberty returns edge C.J. Bazile Jr. after a breakout year, along with TJ Bush on the opposite side. They combined for 17.5 TFLs in 2023, while tackles Jay Hardy, Chris Boti and Bryce Dixon each had at least 3.5 stops in the backfield.
MAC: Toledo Rockets
Judge Culpepper leaves a significant void at the interior of the defensive front. Still, the Rockets are built to handle his exit thanks to third-team All-MAC tackle Darius Alexander. Cavon Butler provided four tackles for loss in a rotational spot in 2023, too.
The edge-rushing group features D'Andre Ragin and Deshawn Holt, who totaled 14.5 TFLs last season. Jeremiah Peters and transfer Anthony Dunn Jr., a first-team All-SWAC player at Florida A&M, offer excellent depth.
Mountain West and Sun Belt
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MWC (and Pac-2): Boise State Broncos
Air Force always seems to assemble a stingy unit, so the Falcons are worth watching even in a year of major transition. Wyoming is positioned well to have an impressive front, too.
Boise State, nevertheless, boasts first-team All-MWC rusher Ahmed Hassanein after his 16.5 TFLs in 2023. Ball State transfer Tavion Woodard bulks up the edge group, while the entire rotation of D-tackles—Braxton Fely, Herbert Gums, Sheldon Newton and Michael Callahan—is back.
Sun Belt: Georgia Southern Eagles
The easy option is Appalachian State, which will be a popular pick to take the league. However, keep an eye on Georgia Southern despite the defense's need to improve on its overall struggles.
Justin Rhodes piled up 13 TFLs last season, while second-team All-Sun Belt edge Isaac Walker and Da'Shawn Davis posted 8.5 and 7.5, respectively. Elhadj Fall made a good impression with five TFLs as a freshman, and Davion Rhodes added five of his own.
ACC
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The Pick: Clemson Tigers
Clemson must replace All-ACC tackles Tyler Davis and Ruke Orhorhoro yet already has its answers. Peter Woods emerged as a top freshman in the country with 26 stops last season, while DeMonte Capehart had five tackles for loss.
Woods will also slide out to D-end, where he'll complement a fellow breakout freshman. T.J. Parker gathered 12.5 TFLs last season.
Cade Denhoff and Payton Page, a two-year rotational piece, should be regular contributors, as well.
Florida State and Miami are also stacked on the defensive line, so Clemson has plenty of competition within the ACC.
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Big Ten
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The Pick: Ohio State Buckeyes
If you prefer Michigan, I truly wouldn't argue. Oregon and Penn State should be nightmares (in a good way) up front, too.
Still, the Buckeyes land the slightest nod.
Jack Sawyer is an all-around force on the edge, and JT Tuimoloau has generated 17.5 TFLs in the last two years. Caden Curry notched 3.5 stops in the backfield during his first chance as a rotational player.
The interior unit includes a ton of experience with Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton, who combined for 14.5 TFLs in 2023.
Throw in reserve edge Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and many recent blue-chip recruits, and OSU should be deep and dangerous.
Big 12
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The Pick: Iowa State Cyclones
For any defense, experience does not guarantee progress. That can help, but development is not necessarily linear.
I'm willing, though, to take the risk on Iowa State—which returns its entire group of starters up front.
Edge-rushers Joey Petersen and Tyler Onyedim had seven and 6.5 tackles for loss, respectively, in 2023. J.R. Singleton and Domonique Orange held down the interior, totaling 38 stops. Altogether, they were a key part of the defense yielding a Big 12-low 5.2 yards per snap.
Also, the Cyclones landed Louisiana-Monroe transfer Kenard Snyder. He amassed 14.5 TFLs last season. He'll be a valuable rotational player with returning backup Ikenna Ezeogu.
SEC
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The Pick: Georgia Bulldogs
Similar to Week 1 opponent Clemson, the strength of Georgia's defensive line starts in the middle.
Nazir Stackhouse, entering his third year as a core player, has collected 57 tackles since 2022. Warren Brinson is shifting from a regularly used backup to a starter, and Christen Miller had four TFLs as a redshirt freshman whose snap share climbed late in the season.
Mykel Williams didn't have the breakout season most expected in 2023 but provided 6.5 stops in the backfield. Williams and Chaz Chambliss are a sturdy edge-rushing duo.
Additionally, expect to see plenty of Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and Gabe Harris at defensive end.
Alabama, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Texas are among the numerous other SEC fronts that should be productive.
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