PFF ranks Top 10 returning interior defensive linemen in college football

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report•05/17/23

Every year games are won and lost in the trenches in college football, with the most elite defensive linemen able to single-handedly impact outcomes. So who are the top interior defensive linemen in 2023?

Pro Football Focus listed its top 10, using its proprietary film grading rubric as a basis.

Several of the players who made cut for the top interior defensive linemen were prominent stars who are already essentially household names in college football, like LSU‘s Mekhi Wingo and Miami‘s Leonard Taylor. Others are from slightly less prominent programs, like Illinois‘ Jer’Zhan Newton.

Let’s take a look at PFF’s list of the top interior defensive linemen in college football below.

Top 10 Interior Defensive Linemen

1. Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois

Newton earned second-team All-American honors from the AP, Walter Camp, CBS and Pro Football Focus in 2022 after putting together a monster season. He finished his sophomore campaign with 62 tackles, 14.0 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and three passes defended.

2. Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati

Like Newton, Corleone earned some All-American love, picking up third-team honors from the AP and Pro Football Focus. He was also an AFCA Freshman All-American. On the season he recorded 44 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, 3.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

3. Mekhi Wingo, LSU

One year after he was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team, Wingo managed to earn second-team All-SEC honors as a sophomore. He racked up 47 tackles, 6.0 tackles for a loss, 3.0 sacks, a forced fumble and four pass breakups after transferring in from Missouri.

4. Kris Jenkins, Michigan

The son of former four-time All-Pro defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, Jenkins was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection in 2022. He started 14 games for the playoff-bound Wolverines, tallying 54 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss and 2.0 sacks.

5. Leonard Taylor, Miami

Already projected by some as a first-round 2024 NFL Draft pick, Taylor will have lofty expectations heading into 2023. He was a menace in the backfield of opposing offenses last season, chalking up 24 tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss, 3.0 sacks, an interception and six passes defended.

6. DeWayne Carter, Duke

Carter was a redshirt junior last fall, returning as a starter on the interior for the Blue Devils. He was a team leader, representing Duke at ACC Media Days in the summer before starring on the field in the fall. Carter finished the year with 36 tackles, 11.0 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and four passes defended.

7. Tyler Davis, Clemson

Named a second-team All-American by the FWAA and Phil Steele, Davis had a very strong fourth year with the Tigers. He broke out with 43 tackles, 9.0 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks and two passes defended. He’ll return as a seasoned veteran in 2023.

8. Byron Murphy, Texas

A true sophomore in 2022, Murphy started just one game but managed to make a considerable impact anyway. He was previously an honorable mention Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2021. On the season as a sophomore he notched 26 tackles, 3.0 tackles for a loss and a sack.

9. Braden Fiske, Florida State

Fiske is the lone player on the top 10 interior defensive lineman list who will be playing for a different school in 2023 than he suited up for in 2022. Going from Western Michigan to Florida State, he should help anchor things for the Seminoles. He racked up 58 tackles, 12.0 tackles for a loss, 6.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and three passes defended in 2022.

10. Jaylon Hutchings, Texas Tech

A fifth-year player at Texas Tech in 2022, Hutchings started in all 13 games for the Red Raiders. He logged 50 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He’ll be one of the most experienced returning interior defensive linemen in the country this fall.