ESPN names DLU, updates Top 5 for defensive linemen producing schools

ESPN reshuffled their “position U” rankings heading into the 2022 season from QBU all the way down to Punter U.

Unsurprisingly, the DLU title for 2022 remains with Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide. Although Georgia has most recently dominated on the defensive line with three linemen taken in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Bulldogs haven’t yet ascended to the top five in ESPN’s new rankings.

Check out the top DLU programs in the country, the top in each conference, and who’s missing going into the 2022 college football season.

ESPN DLU Rankings

Top Five

1. Alabama
2. Florida State
3. Ohio State
4. Penn State
5. Clemson

Best by conference

ACC: Florida State
Big 12: Texas
Big Ten: Ohio State
Pac-12: USC
SEC: Alabama
Non-Power 5: Houston

Biggest mover: Oregon
Who’s missing: Notre Dame

Alabama dominates D-Line development

Alabama is RBU and OLU, but they’ve also clearly dominated defensive line development in the Nick Saban era.

“Yawn. Another category dominated by the Tide,” ESPN’s David Hale writes. “It’s not as if they’re primarily a 3-4 defense that should be at a disadvantage in this category as a result and — oh, right, they are. Alas, Alabama has been particularly adept at developing NFL talent on the interior of late, with a defensive tackle going in either the first or second round of every NFL draft since 2016.

“In fact, Alabama is responsible for nearly 30% of all the defensive tackles taken in the first two rounds of the past seven NFL drafts. That’s downright incredible. Oh, and the Tide haven’t been too bad at developing ends either.”

Hale notes that the Tide signed 61 blue-chip defensive linemen between 2006-2022. Meanwhile, the Clemson Tigers’ DL recruiting under Dabo Swinney has netted 27 blue chips since 2015. The 2022 team has at least three potential first-rounders on the defensive front, including former No. 1 overall recruit Bryan Bresee.