Devy 100: Interior Defensive Line Prospects

Rob Willette

Defensive Tackles are seldom a hot IDP commodity, although in DT-required leagues, having an elite option can be a huge boon to an otherwise rather uninspiring position. Fortunately, the college ranks are packed with talented interior players who can make impact plays in both the run and pass games.

For the purposes of this exercise, I am mostly interested in players who are more than just run-stuffers. They need to show a bit of playmaking ability in order to stack up numbers which really matter. The 2019 class in particular is loaded along the defensive front, and we see the talent reflected here as well with a host of top ten-type of talents. Below are some of college football’s more unheralded yet talented stars.

DT Derrick Nnadi, Florida State Seminoles

A true nose tackle who can attract multiple blockers with ease, Nnadi is excellent against the run yet also flashes interior playmaking skills and is surprisingly adept at reaching the quarterback after positing six sacks in 2016. Nnadi is the type of talent every team could use and he has decade-long starter at the NFL level in his blood.

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DT Dexter Lawrence, Clemson Tigers

At 6’5”, 337 pounds, Dexter Lawrence can cripple opposing offensive lines almost by accident. The true freshman was a revelation in 2016 and added to Clemson’s embarrassment of riches along the defensive front. Lawrence has already made adjustments to his diet, indicating he takes managing his bulk seriously, and the blend of power and speed – a theme throughout this list – is rare. He’s already been hype as a potential number overall pick in 2019, and there’s little reason to doubt he has the physical talent to get there.

DT Vita Vea, Washington Huskies

Vea flashes whenever you flip on a Washington Huskies game. A mammoth of a man, Vea nonetheless dances through backfields with a grace often reserved for players one hundred pounds lighter. His pass rushing upside may be limited compared to many other names on this list, but Vea profiles as a difference-maker along the interior.

DT Da’Ron Payne, Alabama Crimson Tide

The Tide have had an assembly line of run-stuffing defensive tackles, and Da’Ron Payne emerged as the next big body to immolate offensive lines in 2016. Payne occupies multiple players along the front with insane strength and balance, and though his job is mostly to draw a crowd, he can still make plays when given the opportunity. With both he and Nnadi potentially in next year’s class, it will be interesting to see how the NFL values high-level nose tackles in 2018.

DT Ed Oliver, Houston Cougarsoliver

The rare five star recruit to commit to a Group of Five program, Oliver somehow exceeded the hype and gained squatter’s rights for all his time spent in opposing backfields. With 22 tackles for loss, the true freshman was a weekly terror and a catalyst in the Cougars upset victories over Oklahoma and Louisville. Explosive out of his stance and relentless in pursuit, Oliver is already one of college football’s best overall players and an elite prospect for 2019.

DT Dre’Mont Jones, Ohio State Buckeyes

The Buckeyes are more than just an elite collection of ends. Dre’Mont Jones is one of the nation’s better interior players, a quick-twitch athlete whose sinewy build speaks to somebody who played defensive end in high school. He lacks ideal bulk and elite production to this point in his career, but Jones could easily put together a dominant campaign in his third year at the position and at the center of a loaded defense.

DT Rashad Gary, Michigan Wolverines

Within a list of freaky athletes, Gary may be the freakiest, and while you have to downplay spring testing numbers, he is the type who may end up testing like an elite athlete at defensive end while possessing the bulk to play on the interior. A huge recruiting win for Jim Harbaugh in 2016, Gary was a rotational player as a true freshman but will need to be an elite front-seven presence in 2017 as the Wolverines roll over a lot of defensive talent. An almost flawless prospect out of high school, Gary may soon well become the player face of Wolverine football.

DT Trenton Thompson, Georgia Bulldogs

After fighting off a scary medical situation this spring, Trenton Thompson is back with the Bulldogs and vying for a potential spot in the first round in 2018. A rather fit athlete out of high school, Thompson has added good bulk while still possessing his hallmark elite first step. He closes extremely well and has shown the ability to dominate football games in spurts. Considered the top recruit in the 2015 cycle by many, Thompson has yet to really put it all together, which is a scary thought as he is already one of the SEC’s better defenders.

DT Christian Wilkins, Clemson Tigers

Wilkins has placed both inside and outside during his collegiate career, but looks like a better fit as an interior presence or 3-Technique and could be an annual All-Pro in that role. At 6’4”, 300 pounds, he is powerful at the point of attack but is far more than just a plugger. He is an agile athlete with the feet to create havoc. Eligible in 2018, Wilkins could quickly become the type of defender a host of teams are coveting.

DT Maurice Hurst, Michigan Wolverines

One of the more entertaining defensive linemen to watch, Mo Hurst is a no-nonsense, gap-shooting defensive tackle who consistently beats larger lineman despite a relatively modest 282 pound frame. Size is an obvious concern, but quickness and power are not, and they should allow Hurst to overcome his build.

Also considered: DT Steven Richardson, Minnesota Golden Gophers; DT R.J. McIntosh, Miami Hurricanes; DT Kendrick Norton, Miami Hurricanes; DT Lowell Lotulelei, Utah Utes; Harrison Phillips, Stanford Cardinal

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rob willette