🏅 Phil Steele’s Top 25 Defensive Lines for 2025
1. Oklahoma
Phil Steele places Oklahoma at No. 1, largely led by pass rusher Mason Thomas, who recorded nine sacks in 2024. The unit is further fortified by Jayden Jackson and David Stone, making it arguably the top DL group in the nation under Brent Venables .
2. Clemson
Despite heavy roster turnover, Clemson lands at No. 2. With Peter Woods and T.J. Parker anchoring the line, plus transfer addition Will Heldt (5 sacks in 2024), Steele sees All‑American potential in the mix .
3. Penn State
Penn State ranks third. EDGE Dani Dennis‑Sutton (8.5 sacks last year) and disruptive interior tackle Zane Durant (11 tackles for loss) headline a unit packed with pedigree. Zuriah Fisher and Alonzo Ford Jr. are expected to emerge as key contributors . Steele notes some thin depth, but talent is elite .
4. Notre Dame
Notre Dame ranks fourth. Despite losing three starters, Steele trusts the Irish’s depth and experience. Watch for Joshua Burnham, Bryce Young, Boubacar Traore, and veteran Jared Dawson to contribute this fall .
5. Michigan
Michigan earns number five despite replacing Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant. Up front, Derrick Moore and T.J. Guy anchor the edges, and transfer DT Tre Williams adds vital depth and stability .
6. Alabama
Steele slots Alabama at sixth, led by nose tackle Tim Keenan III, a run‑stopping force. Backup edge talent like Kelby Collins (a multi‑position Florida transfer) bolsters what is expected to be a powerful unit .
7. Texas Tech
Texas Tech ranks seventh. After a defensive rebuild via the transfer portal, players like David Bailey (7 sacks at Stanford), Lee Hunter (UCF), and Skyler Gill‑Howard (NIU) give explosive ability up front .
8. Iowa
At eighth, Iowa features a dependable group anchored by Aaron Graves (six sacks as a DT) and Ethan Hurkett (11 tackles for loss). Max Llewellyn brings upside to this consistently strong Big Ten line .
9. Texas
Texas checks in at No. 9. Edge tandem Colin Simmons and Trey Moore (combined double‑digit TFL/sacks) lead a revamped front, augmented by transfers Travis Shaw and Cole Brevard .
10. Florida
Rounding out the top 10 is Florida, spearheaded by Tyreak Sapp and George Gumbs—both high‑impact at the line of scrimmage. Caleb Banks, with 4.5 sacks, is viewed as an NFL‑caliber asset .
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📋 Nos. 11–25 Overview
11. Miami – Emerging group with rising stars on the edge
T‑12. Georgia – Perennial SEC power with rotation strength
T‑12. Ohio State – Talented despite offseason turnover
14. Duke – Breakout projection in Steele’s eyes
15. Indiana – Under‑the‑radar unit expected to produce
16. Texas A&M, 17. Oregon, 18. Pittsburgh – All featuring strong individual talent and depth moves
19. Minnesota, 20. Tennessee, 21. Northwestern – Smaller programs making stride
22. LSU, 23. Illinois, 24. Auburn, 25. Florida State – One‑star defenders or rebuilding groups earning notice via transfers or recruiting momentum
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🔍 Analysis: Themes & Predictions
Elite star power up front
Oklahoma, Clemson, and Penn State headline due to proven playmakers like Mason Thomas, Dennis‑Sutton, Durant, and Woods. Steele emphasizes the importance of game‑wrecker talent across the trenches .
Transfer portal impact
Texas Tech, Texas, and Alabama saw Steele reward big portal pickups. These additions—like Bailey, Collins, and Brevard—bring speed and production to older, established lines .
Depth versus continuity
Penn State illustrates Steele’s cautious optimism: elite starters but limited rotational depth. Notre Dame and Michigan show his confidence in depth and system continuity compensating for starter losses .
Big conference dominance
The Big Ten and SEC make up most of the top 10. Programs in those conferences benefit from high-level recruiting, strength of schedule, and experience in big-time games .
“Wild cards” and rising profile
Teams like Duke, Indiana, Minnesota, and Northwestern appear in the 11–25 range, representing programs Steele expects to rise through breakthrough line play or improved defensive schemes .
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🧩 Summary Takeaways
Phil Steele’s 2025 preseason ranking reflects his belief that defensive line dominance remains the foundation of top defenses. Oklahoma, Clemson, and Penn State lead a field rich in elite probowl talent. Transfer portal reinforcements elevated programs like Texas Tech and Alabama, while depth and experience underpin teams like Notre Dame and Michigan.
Furthermore, Steele rewards well‑constructed groups from power conferences, acknowledging the load and consistency they face in SEC and Big Ten play. Lesser‑known programs showing promise—Duke, Indiana, Minnesota—also make the list, suggesting Steele sees potential across the board.
As the 2025 season unfolds, the fate of many defenses may hinge on how these units perform under the intense pressure of Power Five competition. Elliott, Steele, and college football fans alike will be watching these lines closely when the games begin.
