2015 Defensive Line Recruits Who Will Be Sack Masters in College Football

One of the signature positions in the 2015 class is along the defensive line, where a number of top defensive ends and defensive tackles have emerged as coveted recruits.

Eight of the nation’s Top 20 recruits in the 2015 class are defensive linemen—including four of the top six players overall.

Among the depth and talent stocked at both positions, there are a handful of elite defensive linemen who will prove capable of harassing quarterbacks at the next level. 

Which top defensive line recruits will become dominant pass-rushers in college?

*Players listed in alphabetical order.

Jashon Cornell

Urban Meyer hit the jackpot in 2013 when he signed defensive end Joey Bosa.

Two years later, he’s hoping to duplicate that feat with 4-star defensive end Jashon Cornell.

The 6’4”, 260-pound Minnesota native has similar measurables to Bosa, and he racked up 122 tackles and 29 sacks over the course of his sophomore and junior campaigns.

Cornell brings a blend of size, athleticism and power to the Buckeyes defensive line, which puts him in a position to eventually succeed Bosa and become the next dominant pass-rusher to emerge from Ohio State. 

Byron Cowart

If there was any doubt about Byron Cowart’s status as an elite pass-rusher in the 2015 class, he erased them with a standout performance at The Opening this summer, as noted by Barton Simmons of 247Sports (via Kevin Ryan of 247Sports.)

The 6’4”, 250-pounder dominated at the showcase camp for the nation’s top prospects, and his presence was enough to catch the attention of his competitors along the offensive line.

With a combination of size and speed coming off the edge, Cowart—who racked up 13 sacks as a junior—is a player whose recruitment will generate tremendous interest as signing day approaches.

Alabama, Florida, Florida State and Oregon are among the schools hoping to land the Sunshine State’s premier defender, who has the necessary tools to be an elite pass-rusher at the next level.

Breiden Fehoko

The state of Hawaii has produced a number of talented players such as Marcus Mariota and Manti Te’o, who have gone on to become dominant players on the college level.

Breiden Fehoko, Texas Tech's 4-star defensive end commit, may be the next star from the islands to come to the mainland and thrive.

The 6’3”, 290-pounder has 103 tackles and 24.5 sacks as a junior at Farrington High School in Honolulu.

Even though the Red Raiders have struggled mightily on the defensive side of the ball this season, help is on the way in the form of a pass-rushing monster along the defensive line in Fehoko. 

Darian Roseboro

At 6’4” and 285 pounds, North Carolina State pledge and 4-star defensive lineman Darian Roseboro brings a blend of size, speed and versatility similar to former Wolfpack star and current Buffalo Bills defender Mario Williams.

Prior to his senior season, Roseboro established himself as one of the top defensive linemen in the 2015 cycle by posting 339 tackles and 26 sacks over the first three years of his prep career. 

With a reported time of 4.64 seconds in the 40-yard dash, Roseboro is a freakish specimen who can cause havoc on the edge or the interior of the line. 

Josh Sweat

In the next few weeks, 5-star defensive end Josh Sweat is scheduled to make his decision and enroll at his school of choice in January.

His finalists include Florida State, Georgia, Ohio State and Virginia Tech. 

Regardless of where he ends up, the lucky school that lands him will be getting a freakish athlete who recorded 22 sacks and 31 tackles for loss as a junior.

He also runs a sub-4.5 time in the 40-yard dash.

Sweat is big enough to put his hand in the dirt and be a traditional defensive end, yet athletic enough to stand up and play some outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.

With that rare package of skills wrapped in a 6’5”, 240-pound frame, Sweat is a candidate to terrorize passers on the college level next fall. 

Trent Thompson

At 6’4”, 292 pounds, Trent Thompson has simply been a man amongst boys on the prep level. 

Per MaxPreps, the 5-star defensive tackle and future Georgia Bulldog registered 84 tackles this season, including an astounding 36 for loss with four sacks. 

He flashed his ability as a pass-rusher earlier in his career, with 17 total sacks coming during his sophomore and junior seasons. 

What sets Thompson apart in a loaded class of defensive tackles is his power and burst at the point of attack. As his sack totals indicate, he’s also versatile enough to play end in pass-rushing situations. 

Shy Tuttle

One of the biggest surprises of the 2015 cycle has been the reemergence of Tennessee on the recruiting trail.

Part of the reason why Butch Jones has been able to put together a monster class is a pair of commitments from standout defensive tackles in 5-star Kahlil McKenzie and 4-star Shy Tuttle.

Both players weigh more than 300 pounds and can clog the middle, and both are disruptive forces who are capable of playing multiple positions on the line.

However, it's Tuttle—who recorded a combined 27 sacks during his freshman and sophomore seasons—who has flashed the ability to collapse the pocket from the interior.

With another monster who can line up alongside him in McKenzie, Tuttle has a chance to be an impact freshman in the SEC next fall.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports. 

Follow @SanjayKirpalani