Ranking College Football's Top 20 Defensive Lines for the 2012 Season

If you happen to be a college football fan who loves to watch great defensive linemen, then you’re definitely in luck, because the sport is absolutely loaded with some truly outstanding front-line players this year.

There are a few teams in particular that happen to possess an ample amount of talent in the trenches for 2012, and it comes as no surprise that many of those squads will be occupying spaces near the top of the preseason rankings this summer.

Here’s a look at college football’s 20 best defensive lines for the upcoming season.

1. LSU Tigers

For the second straight year, the best defensive line in college football will reside down in Baton Rouge. LSU may have lost talented young defensive tackle Michael Brockers, who was the 14th overall pick in this year's NFL draft, but the Tigers still have plenty of reinforcements returning to lead the charge up front.

The two leaders of the defensive line will once again be the edge-rushing tandem of Barkevious Mingo and Sam Montgomery, who combined to rack up 17 sacks and 28.5 tackles for loss in 2011. Mingo and Montgomery are arguably the two most talented defensive ends in the country, and they'll likely be remembered as one of the best DE duos in college football history.

Inside, LSU will certainly miss Brockers, who finished with 54 tackles last year, but 6'3", 287-pound junior Bennie Logan looks like he's ready to step up and become a true interior force this season. Logan will be joined by budding star sophomore Anthony Johnson and senior Josh Downs to give the Tigers one of the deepest and most talented defensive tackle rotations in the country.

This is a defensive line that yielded just 2.7 yards per rush and notched 38 total sacks last season. And with three potential All-Americans like Mingo, Montgomery and Logan leading the way, the unit could be even better in 2012.

2. Florida State Seminoles

LSU may have the best defensive end duo in college football, but Florida State's pass-rushing pair of Bjoern Werner and Brandon Jenkins belongs right in the conversation with Barkevious Mingo and Sam Montomgery.

Last year, Werner and Jenkins combined to rack up 15 sacks and 23 tackles for loss, as they both proved to be just too much for opposing offensive tackles to handle.

Personally, I think Werner has what it takes to be a top-10 pick in the 2013 NFL draft. He's one of the strongest, smartest and most instinctive defenders in all of college football.

I also wouldn't be surprised at all if Jenkins, a 6'3", 260-pound senior, joined him in the first round next year.

Both ends look like they're ready to have true showcase seasons in 2012, but the biggest breakout stars of the line could be the two tackles—Tim Jernigan and Everett Dawkins.

Jernigan and Dawkins won't receive the type of attention that their more highly touted linemates will this offseason, but both have the potential to dominate inside this season.

When you add in role players such as Anthony McCloud, Cornellius Carradine and 5-star rated incoming freshmen Mario Edwards and Eddie Goldman, it's easy to see that this is arguably the deepest defensive line in Florida State history.

Last year, the Seminoles ranked in the top 10 nationally in rushing defense, total defense and scoring defense, and with all four starters returning up front, they'll likely rank right up there near the top in all three categories again in 2012.

3. Georgia Bulldogs

If a team employs a 3-4 defensive front, it certainly helps to have a huge, run-stuffing nose tackle to clog up the middle. Luckily for Georgia, the Bulldogs happen to have two of the biggest, strongest tackles in the country—Jonathan Jenkins and Kwame Geathers.

The 6'3", 351-pound Jenkins and the 6'6", 350-pound Geathers are the type of tackles that can eat up double-teams and shut down running lanes with their sheer size and strength, and they were a big reason why Georgia ranked 11th in the country in rush defense in 2011.

Joining the two monstrous tackles up front will be senior defensive ends Abry Jones and Cornelius Washington, two experienced veterans who combined for nine sacks and 13 tackles for loss in 2011.

Those four players are enough to cause plenty of havoc up front, but then when you add an elite hybrid rush linebacker like Jarvis Jones to the equation, it only makes the Bulldogs' defensive front even more frightening.

With so much size in the interior, and so much speed on the edge, look for Georgia to once again have one of college football's top rush defenses in 2012.

4. Ohio State Buckeyes

After losing six of its top eight tacklers from 2010 last offseason, Ohio State needed a leader to emerge last year and help to solidify the inexperienced unit.

Thankfully, DE John Simon proved that he was ready for such a role, as Simon stepped up and became one of the biggest impact defenders in the country in 2011.

The 6'2", 270-pound senior led the Buckeyes with seven sacks and 16 tackles for loss last season, and he turned out to be the heart and soul of the Ohio State defense.

Now, after being counted on to be the stable force of an inexperienced defensive line last year, Simon will enter this season joined by three returning starters up front.

Fellow end Nathan Williams, who missed almost all of the 2011 season with an injury, should be ready to man the spot opposite Simon this year.

Inside, 6'3", 335-pound junior Johnathan Hankins and 6'4", 285-pound Garrett Goebel will be back at the tackle positions.

Hankins could end up being the premier player of the front four this season, as he possesses the potential to develop into a legitimate first-round NFL draft pick.

Overall, now that the group has a year of experience under its belt, the Buckeyes should have the top defensive line in the Big Ten this season.

5. Texas Longhorns

Texas' defensive ends Alex Okafor and Jackson Jeffcoat both seem like they're destined to be high picks in next year's NFL draft, especially after the performances they put together last season.

Okafor and Jeffcoat combined to notch 15 total sacks, 22 quarterback hurries and 35 tackles for loss in 2011.

They are clearly two of the top defensive linemen in all of college football, and pro scouts will surely be keeping a close eye on both of them this season.

Although Texas will have one of the best pass-rushing tandems in the country this season, the Longhorns do have some questions inside after the departures of defensive tackles Kheeston Randall and Calvin Howell.

The good news is that coach Mack Brown has brought plenty of highly-touted tackle recruits to Austin in recent years, and there's plenty of talent at the position.

The player to watch inside will be Ashton Dorsey, a 6'2", 295-pound junior who possesses all the physical tools to be a stud playmaker in the interior.

If Dorsey can handle a full-time starting role, and if other tackles such as Brandon Moore, Desmond Jackson and Chris Whaley can all step up, the Longhorns defensive line will once again be one of the most dangerous units in the country in 2012.

6. Michigan State Spartans

As far as pure physical intimidation is concerned, you won't find many defenders in college football that are as scary as Michigan State DE William Gholston.

The 6'7", 275-pound Gholston is a physical freak of nature, as he possesses the combination of size, explosiveness, power, relentless hustle and physicality that you just don't see very often. He put his skills to good use last season when he racked up five sacks and 11 tackles for loss, and he'll be looking to have an even bigger campaign in 2012.

Gholston will be joined up front by supremely talented sophomore end Marcus Rush, who was one of the top freshman performers in the country in 2011, notching 58 tackles and four sacks.

Inside, the Spartans will obviously miss the presence of tackle Jerel Worthy, who was a second-round pick in this year's NFL draft. However, seniors Tyler Hoover and Anthony Rashad White should both be able to step up and make up for his absence.

Although Michigan State's defense didn't receive the same type of national recognition as LSU's or Alabama's did last season, this was still a unit that ranked in the top 10 in the country in both scoring defense and total defense.

A big reason for the defense's dominance last year was the play up front, and the line will once again be the key to the unit's success in 2012.

7. South Carolina Gamecocks

After being hyped up as one of the greatest high school football recruits of all time, South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney basically had impossible expectations to live up to last season.

Even though he may not have been the greatest freshman in the history of college football, Clowney still proved to be as good as advertised in 2011 as he burst onto the SEC scene, compiling six sacks and 11 tackles for loss.

The 6'6", 256-pound sophomore will now go into his second season searching for All-American honors, and so will his teammate, fellow defensive end Devin Taylor.

Taylor may have been overshadowed by the arrival of Clowney last year, but the 6'8", 267-pound senior still enjoyed a solid 2011 campaign, as he notched five sacks and 37 tackles.

Clowney and Taylor will once again form one of the deadliest defensive end duos in the country this season, but we already know what to expect from them.

The Gamecock lineman that could be in store for the biggest breakout season this year is DT Kelcy Quarles, a 6'4", 286-pound redshirt sophomore who has the skill set to develop into a star.

Quarles will be asked to step up and make up for the loss of versatile playmaker Melvin Ingram, who was taken with the 18th overall pick in this year's NFL draft. It should be interesting to see if he's up to the challenge.

Losing a player like Ingram is certainly a tough blow, but with Clowney, Taylor and Quarles all returning, the Gamecocks defensive line is still stacked with top-tier talent for the 2012 season.

8. Florida Gators

Florida's lauded 2010 recruiting class was loaded with highly-touted defensive line prospects, and those former 5-star recruits are now beginning to turn into difference-making defenders for the Gators.

Three of the biggest names from that class—Dominique Easley, Sharrif Floyd and Ronald Powell—all played key roles for Florida's defense last season.

Easley and Floyd both have the potential to be two of the biggest star linemen in the SEC this season.

Plus, if Powell can fully recover from a serious knee injury that he experienced in the spring, he should also be a vital piece of the puzzle when he ultimately returns.

Coach Will Muschamp, who is one of the best defensive minds in college football, has to be excited about the potential of his defensive front this season.

Whether Powell can play or not, the Gators will still have one of the strongest and most athletic lines in the country in 2012.

9. Virginia Tech Hokies

Under coach Frank Beamer and defensive coordinator Bud Foster's watch, Virginia Tech has routinely put together some terrific defenses on an annual basis, and this year should be no different.

With nine returning starters from 2011, the Hokies defense is loaded with experienced playmakers on all three levels, but the unit that could really stand out this season is the defensive line.

All four starters from last year return, including the dynamic defensive end duo of James Gayle and J.R. Collins.

Last year, Collins and Gayle combined to rack up 13 sacks and 22 tackles for loss, and the scary part is, the two seem like they're only beginning to tap into their true potential.

Joining the two junior ends in the trenches will be the tackle trio of Derrick Hopkins, Antoine Hopkins and Luther Maddy.

With such an experienced and talented group, Beamer and Foster have to be excited about all of the potential different looks that they'll be able to throw at opposing offenses in 2012.

10. Alabama Crimson Tide

After a historically dominant performance in 2011, Alabama's defense will now have to break in new starters all over the field, and that includes up front, where starting nose tackle Josh Chapman and key reserve Nick Gentry will both have to be replaced.

This is the Tide we're talking about, though, so you know that there's plenty of talent waiting in the wings.

The star of this year's three-man line will be nose tackle Jesse Williams, a former Australian rugby player who turned out to be a vital contributor during his first season in Tuscaloosa.

The former standout JUCO recruit is one of the biggest, strongest and nastiest interior linemen that you're going to find in college football this season, and he's the type of tackle that should cause plenty of havoc in the interior.

Another name to watch out for is defensive end Damion Square, a 6'3", 285-pound senior who could be ready to step out and shine in 2012.

Williams and Square will be the two mainstays up front this season, but the defensive line rotation is one of the deepest you'll see in the country, and linemen like Ed Stinson, Quinton Dial, Brandon Ivory and Jeoffrey Pagan will be called on to play key roles as well.

11. Utah Utes

Star Lotulelei is the type of defender who can send shivers down the spine of any poor offensive lineman that lines up in front of him.

The hulk-esque 6'4", 325-pound nose tackle is one of the best run-stoppers to grace the college game in years, and he's got all the physical attributes that NFL teams are looking for in a potential top-15 draft pick.

This season, Lotulelei will again be the centerpiece of a Utah defensive line that returns three starters from a unit that gave up just 3.2 yards per carry in 2011.

Those other two returning starters are Ravens linebacker Paul Kruger's littler brothers, Joe and Dave, who combined for 57 tackles last season.

The Utes will miss defensive end Derrick Shelby, who finished with four sacks and nine tackles for loss in 2011. However, there's still plenty of talent up front with Lotulelei, the Krugers and new starting end Nate Fakahafua, and they'll once again have one of the Pac-12's toughest front fours in 2012.

12. Auburn Tigers

Last year, Auburn's defensive line had to replace three starters from the 2010 season, and the inexperience up front ended up playing a major factor in the Tigers' struggles in 2011.

Auburn ranked second to last in the SEC, giving up an average of 4.6 yards per carry last season, and the Tigers could only muster up 22 total sacks.

The good news is that all of those new starters now know what it takes to compete in the SEC week in and week out, and the team should now have one of the most improved defensive lines in the country this season.

The star of the show is undoubtedly defensive end Corey Lemonier, who was one of the defense's few bright spots in 2011, as he finished with 9.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss.

Lemonier will again be joined by the talented and deep defensive tackle foursome of juniors Jeffrey Whitaker and Kenneth Carter and sophomores Gabe Wright and Angelo Blackson.

Dee Ford and Nosa Eguae should complement Lemonier well at the other end position, and overall, Auburn's defensive line should be a stronger and much more cohesive unit in 2012.

13. USC Trojans

Most teams would have a tough time replacing a valuable pass-rusher such as Nick Perry.

Perry, who was selected with the 28th pick in this year's NFL draft, led USC with 9.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in 2011.

The Trojans, however, just happen to have two of the Pac-12's most talented defensive ends, Wes Horton and Devon Kennard, who should be able to step up and make up for the loss of Perry.

The two senior edge-rushers combined for six sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss in 2011, but they'll be called on to produce at a higher rate this year.

Inside, the team will have to replace both of last year's starting defensive tackles, DaJohn Harris and Christian Tupou, but luckily, the Trojans have a potential future star in sophomore George Uko who is ready to take over.

Uko and redshirt freshman Antwaun Woods are both oozing with potential, and it should be interesting to see just how quickly they develop in 2012.

If the two young tackles can handle their new roles as full-time starters, USC will have one of the most disruptive defensive lines in the country this season.

14. Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma has had its fair share of impact defensive linemen in recent years with names like Frank Alexander, Ronnell Lewis, Gerald McCoy and Jeremy Beal coming immediately to mind.

This season, the Sooners front four will once again feature plenty of potential standouts, especially in the interior, where the trio of Stacy McGee, Casey Walker and Jamarkus McFarland will form one of the strongest defensive tackle groups in all of college football.

Although both of last year's starting defensive ends—Alexander and Lewis, who combined for 14 sacks in 2011—will have to be replaced, the Sooners have two worthy successors that are waiting to take over.

Seniors David King and R.J. Washington may not be fully proven commodities at this point, but they did have seven sacks between the two of them last season, and they should be able to make a seamless transition into the starting lineup in 2012.

If King and Washington can step up and play at a high level this season, Oklahoma's defensive line will be a true force to be reckoned with.

15. South Florida Bulls

South Florida's defensive line was quietly one of the top-performing units in college football last season.

The Bulls finished 15th in the country in rush defense in 2011, allowing less than three yards per carry, and they also tied for 12th in the nation with 38 total sacks.

With potential standouts such as defensive end Ryne Giddins and tackles Cory Grissom and Elkino Watson all returning, the team's line should be just as powerful in 2012.

Giddins, a former 4-star recruit who really started to come into his own last season, is a true defensive playmaker, and Grissom and Watson are two strong and sturdy tackles.

This is a program that has produced its fair share of notable defensive linemen in years past, such as Jason Pierre-Paul, Terrell McClain and George Selvie.

It now appears that Giddins, Grissom and Watson could be the next three big names to watch out for down in Tampa.

16. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Nebraska's defense was one of the most disappointing units in college football last year, and you can bet that after hearing so much criticism in 2011, the Blackshirts will now be playing with a chip on their shoulder this season.

Although the Cornhuskers defensive line will be without DT Jared Crick, who was a fourth-round selection in this year's NFL draft, it really won't change much, given the fact that Crick played in just five games before going down for the season with an injury last year.

Now, it will be senior tackle Baker Steinkuhler who will be called on to stuff up running lanes and make key stops in the middle of the field in 2012.

The former 5-star recruit hasn't lived up to his high school hype yet, but he's clearly got the potential to be one of the Big Ten's biggest defensive stars this season.

Flanking Steinkuhler will be ends Eric Martin and Cameron Meredith, who combined for 7.5 sacks last year, as well as key reserve pass-rusher Jason Ankrah.

Even without Crick, Nebraska's front four still has the pieces in place to be one of the Big Ten's most dominant defensive fronts for the 2012 season.

17. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

This offseason, Notre Dame may have lost last year's sack leader, DE Aaron Lynch, who decided to leave South Bend and transfer closer to home. However, if Lynch's replacement DE Stephon Tuitt can play up to his potential this season, Irish fans may soon forget all about him.

Tuitt is a former heralded 5-star recruit who gave plenty of glimpses of his prodigious potential in his first season, as he racked up 30 tackles and two sacks in 2011.

The 6'6", 295-pound sophomore has the chance to be a showcase player for a defensive line that also welcomes back experienced returning starters defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore and nose tackle Louis Nix.

With those three hogging up blockers this season, Notre Dame's talented linebacker corps, led by potential All-American Manti Te'o, should have plenty of room to roam around the field and make key stops in 2012.

18. Oregon Ducks

Since Oregon has had one of college football's most explosive and exciting offensive attacks over the last three years, the Ducks defense has rarely received much attention. However, that could change this season, as the team's defense is shaping up to be one of the strongest units in the country.

The defensive line, in particular, is loaded with talent this year.

DE Dion Jordan will once again be the face of the group in 2012.

Last year, Jordan earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors after notching 7.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss, and he made a major leap towards becoming an elite pass-rusher.

This season, the 6'7", 240-pound senior will be joined up front by the tackle trio of Ricky Heimuli, Isaac Remington and Wade Keliikipi, who combined for 78 total tackles in 2011.

Lining up opposite Jordan will likely be converted tackle Taylor Hart, but highly-touted incoming 4-star freshman Arik Armstead should also see a good deal of playing time.

This is a line that led the Pac-12 with 45 sacks last season, and the group should once again compete for that honor in 2012.

19. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Dear SEC fans: If you don't already know the name Kaleb Eulls, I suggest you learn it now, because it's one that you're going to be hearing an awful lot during the 2012 season.

Eulls showed flashes of his enormous potential as a freshman last season when he stepped into the starting lineup and piled up 30 tackles.

The 6'4", 280-pound sophomore is one of the most talented defenders in the conference, and he should be ready to put together a breakthrough performance in 2012.

Another Bulldog lineman who should turn some heads is DT Josh Boyd. The 6'3", 300-pound senior was overshadowed by fellow tackle Fletcher Cox last year, but now that Cox, who was the 12th pick in this year's NFL draft, is gone, Boyd will have the chance to really prove his worth in the interior this season.

Eulls and Boyd will be the focal points of the defensive line in 2012, but the player to really keep an eye one will be highly touted JUCO transfer Denico Autry.

The 6'5", 255-pound junior could finally give the Bulldogs the explosive edge-rusher that they've been waiting for.

20. TCU Horned Frogs

TCU coach Gary Patterson is one of the smartest defensive minds that you're going to find in college football. However, Patterson and his staff are going to have their hands full this season, as they'll be forced to figure out how to stop some of the extremely powerful offensive attacks that they're set to face in the Big 12 conference.

Luckily for the Horned Frogs, they seem to have the type of talent along the defensive front that they're going to need to compete with their new BCS brethren.

The defensive line returns three starters from last season, including star pass-rusher Stansly Maponga, who earned first-team All-Mountain West honors in 2011.

Maponga led the team with nine sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss, and he'll now be looking to carve out a name for himself in the Big 12 this season.

Joining him in the trenches will be fellow defensive end Ross Forrest, a 6'4", 255-pound senior who notched 32 tackles last year, and defensive tackle David Johnson, a 6'2", 270-pound sophomore who has a bright future ahead of him in Fort Worth.

It should be very interesting to see how the Horned Frogs fare against the bigger, stronger and more athletic offensive lines that they're about to square off with in their new conference in 2012.

Honorable Mention

Arkansas Razorbacks

BYU Cougars

Central Florida Knights

Cincinnati Bearcats

Connecticut Huskies

Illinois Fighting Illini

Kansas State Wildcats

Louisville Cardinals

Maryland Terrapins

Missouri Tigers

North Carolina Tar Heels

Oklahoma State Cowboys

Oregon State Beavers

Penn State Nittany Lions

Purdue Boilermakers

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Stanford Cardinal

Southern Miss Golden Eagles

Tennessee Volunteers

Texas A&M Aggies

UCLA Bruins

Wisconsin Badgers