Top 10 defensive linemen in the updated 2024 On300 rankings

With the high school football season well underway, many of the top recruits in the nation have already had a chance to prove their worth — and their ranking — on the gridiron. Many elite prospects have also already made their college decisions.

The 2024 cycle features a crop of elite defensive linemen, 16 of whom are top-200 players in On3’s updated 2024 On300 rankings. In total, 27 players at the position currently hold blue-chip status at the September.

Below are the top defensive linemen in the On300.

1. LJ McCray

School: Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland
On3 Ranking: No. 8
On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine: Florida 37.8%, Georgia 24.4%, Florida State 15%, Miami 11.3%
Scouting Summary: “LJ McCray is a big-framed, athletic defensive lineman with pass rush ability. Has translatable physical attributes and athleticism at the position that point to a high developmental ceiling. Measured in at over 6-foot-6, 260 pounds prior to his senior season. Has outstanding length and a large frame. Arms check in at 34.75 inches, with hands measuring 10.5 inches.

“…Showed his top end speed in the combine setting, running an electronically-timed 4.98-second 40-yard dash at Under Armour’s Orlando camp. Lines up as a big defensive end on Friday nights. Shows upside as a pass rusher, using first-step quickness to get into the backfield. Has high-end closing speed for a player of his size. Plays with a very encouraging level of physicality. Bullies offensive linemen on contact and finishes plays with violence. Works to get off blocks with vigor. Also sees time as a tight end. Finished his senior season with 17.5 tackles for loss. Can continue honing his technical skill as he fills out and grows into his body.”

2. Justin Scott — Ohio State commit

School: Chicago St. Ignatius
On3 Ranking: No. 11
Scouting Summary: “Justin Scott is a naturally gifted defensive tackle with rare movement skills. One of the more unique jumbo athletes early on in the 2024 cycle. Considered the top prospect from Chicago in several cycles. Measured in at 6-foot-4 and close to 315 pounds prior to his senior season. Has solid length with 33-inch arms. A light-footed, nimble athlete who moves like a much smaller player. Lines up both on the interior and the edge for his high school. Creates regular disruption with his quickness and ability to convert speed to power.

“…Chases down plays from the back side and runs sideline-to-sideline with ease. A loose, fluid mover with natural flexibility. Shows his natural explosion as a finisher. Also doubles as a dominant offensive lineman. Could be one of the top offensive line prospects in the cycle, as well. Relatively new to football, playing his first season at the varsity level as a sophomore. Has a background as a soccer and basketball player. Will need to continue developing from a technical aspect, particularly with his hands. Rapid ascension and quick improvement point to a high ceiling.”

3. David Stone — Oklahoma commit

School: Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
On3 Ranking: No. 15
Scouting Summary: “David Stone is a twitched up disruptor along the interior defensive line with outstanding short area quickness and burst. Measures at around 6-foot-4, 280 pounds with elite length for the position with arms that register around 35 inches. Tested extremely well during the summer camp circuit at the UC Report’s IMG Pro Day prior to his senior season. Jumped 28 inches in the vertical, ran a 5.00 40-yard dash and ran an impressive 4.41 shuttle. Violent off the snap, can split gaps with ease. Shoots his hands quickly and with precision off the line. Excellent hand usage and very slippery as a pass rusher. Uses his elite length and quick hands at the point of attack. Makes it tough for offensive linemen to ever get a hand on him.

…Stout against the run, with excellent ability to disengage from blockers. Not looking to stack and shed, wants to get off of blocks immediately. Can convert speed to power. Also a strong bull rusher. Can play a bit erratic at times and work himself out of plays. Just needs to play with more discipline and see the field better, but will come with time. High floor prospect who will always be a threat on passing downs. Will become a complete three-down player with further development. Transferred to IMG Academy after his first two seasons at Del City High School in Oklahoma.”

4. Joseph Jonah-Ajonye — Georgia commit

School: Conroe (Texas) Oak Ridge
On3 Ranking: No. 24
Scouting Summary: “Joseph Jonah-Ajonye is an athletic, versatile defensive lineman with one of the higher developmental upsides at the position in the 2024 cycle. Measured at around 6-foot-3.5, 275 pounds prior to his senior season. Has a big frame and plus length with a 10.5-inch hand and arms that measure over 34 inches. An easy, natural athlete who moves like a much smaller player. Lines up at defensive end and inside on Friday nights. Flashes outstanding speed in pursuit, running down plays from the backside. Plays to the whistle and makes second effort plays. Shows quick hands at the point of attack. Is a mismatch due to his quickness and overall athleticism when he slides inside.

…Capable of overpowering offensive tackles as a edge setter against the run. Will need to continue honing his skill and growing as a player. Could stand to improve his pass rush. Born in Nigeria and did not start playing football until his freshman year of high school. Also extraordinarily young for the cycle, with a November birthday. Is the age of a 2025 prospect. Has notable upside based on his lower level of development and the room for growth relative to most other top 2024 prospects.”

5. Dominick McKinley — Texas A&M commit

School: Lafayette (La.) Acadiana
On3 Ranking: No. 37
Scouting Summary: “Dominick McKinley is an imposing interior defensive line prospect who combines pure power with impressive explosiveness and hand usage at the point of attack. Stature immediately catches your eye. Measures in at 6-foot-5, 280-plus pounds with tremendous length. Jumped an 30 inches in the vertical and ran a sub-5.0 40-yard dash during the summer camp circuit prior to his junior season. Threw 47-foot-11 in the shot put as well during his junior track and field campaign. Plays with outstanding leverage for someone his size. Possesses the ability to anchor at the point of attack. Uses his length effectively in order to gain control of his opponent.

…Sheds blockers with ease in the run game. Can really dig in and unlock his hips in order to maintain control at the point. Disruptive player who can knife between opponents and live in the backfield. Excellent get off and ability to penetrate off the snap. Finished his junior season with 18 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Not very nuanced as a pass rusher but will come with time and reps. High upside prospect with the potential to develop into an early round draft pick.”

6. Benedict Umeh — Stanford commit

School: Avon (Conn.) Old Farms
On3 Ranking: No. 55
Scouting Summary: “Benedict Umeh is a physically-gifted defensive lineman who is new to football in the U.S. and has considerable developmental upside. Has unverified size, listed at around 6-foot-5, 260 pounds. Has a muscled build. Born in Nigeria, moved to Toronto, Canada where he started playing football. Transferred to Avon Old Farms, a boarding school in Connecticut prior to his season. Often lines up as a big defensive end in a 3-man front. Raw power and burst allow him to make plays in the backfield of opposing offenses. Twitched up with nice get off and burst off the line of scrimmage. Has shock in his hands at the point of attack.

…Shows the ability to stack and shed blockers with his hands for being so new to the sport. Picked up wrestling after his transfer to Avon Old Farms. Show an encouraging understanding of leverage and ability to manipulate blockers in his favor. Raw as a pass rusher. Will need to develop counter moves once the initial rush is stopped, which should come with collegiate coaching. Has upside considering he is still learning the nuances of the game. Best football is ahead of him. Older for the cycle, turning 19 years in the spring of his senior year.”

7. Eddrick Houston — Ohio State commit

School: Buford (Ga.)
On3 Ranking: No. 60
Scouting Summary: “Eddrick Houston is a powerful, versatile defensive lineman who imposes his will on opposing offensive linemen. Measured in at a shade under 6-foot-4, 275 pounds prior to his senior season. Added significant mass during his junior season. Has a naturally large frame with plus length for the position with arms that measure 34 inches. Primarily lines up as a defensive end in a 3-man front for Georgia power Buford High, where he faces strong competition.. A physical, high effort player who is active as a run defender. Capable of setting the edge. Shows the motor and athleticism to make high level plays in pursuit.

…Primarily a straight line pass rusher at this point. Looks to overpower offensive linemen with his bull rush. Has the length and speed to power to walk offensive linemen back to the quarterback. More of a linear athlete at this time. Will need to improve his bend flexibility if he’s to stick on the edge long-term. Could grow into a defensive tackle or play as a 4i in a 3-man front. Also has a wrestling background and runs track. Has a wrestling background and also runs track.”

8. Aydin Breland

School: Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
On3 Ranking: No. 36
On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine: Georgia 26.7%, Oregon 20.1%, Miami 14.4%
Scouting Summary: “Aydin Breland is a pass-rushing defensive lineman with rare movement skills for his size. Measured in at around 6-foot-4.5, 320 pounds in the off-season prior to his senior season. Has good length for the position with arms over 33 inches. Has a naturally large frame, with his weight fluctuating between 280 and 320 pounds for most of his high school career. Typically lines up at defensive end for SoCal powerhouse Mater Dei. Moves like a much smaller player. Pushes the pocket with his speed to power. Bowls offensive tackles into the backfield on contact. Has the strength to stack and shed linemen to make plays against the run.

…Tracks down plays with his notable pursuit athleticism. Punishes offenses for leaving him unblocked. Also participates in track and field. Turned in a personal best throw of 46-6 feet in the shot put as a sophomore. Works as a rotational player for Mater Dei and is not as productive as most other blue chip defensive linemen to this point. Finished his junior season with 24 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. Older for the cycle, turning 19 years old in January of his senior year.”

9. Gabriel Reliford — Texas A&M commit

School: Shreveport (La.) Evangel Christian Academy
On3 Ranking: No. 70
Scouting Summary: “Gabriel Reliford is a versatile interior defender whose ability to knife between offensive linemen and wreak havoc in opposing backfields strikes fear into offensive play callers. Tremendous first step and ability to get upfield in a hurry. Excellent flexibility and fluidity in space. Can change direction and bring down ball carriers in the open field. Has the movement skills and athleticism to stand up off the edge. Strong and violent hands at the point of attack. Quality run defender that makes plays consistently in the backfield.

…Excels in tight quarters by winning with leverage and twitch. Ideal fit at next level would be to gain necessary weight in order to develop into pass rushing 3-technique or dominant 5-technique in 4-3 fronts. Could maintain size and be an effective 3-4 outside linebacker as a stand up pass rusher or keep his hand in the dirt as a weakside-end in a 4-3 front. If he can maintain his first step after adding mass he will be a dominant interior player for the next 3 to 4 years.”

10. Charleston Collins — Arkansas commit

School: Pine Bluff (Ark.) Wilbur D. Mills
On3 Ranking: No. 96
Scouting Summary: “Charleston Collins is an athletic defensive line prospect with a well-rounded skillset and projectable frame for the next level in order to fill a multitude of roles along the defensive front. Strong hand usage and power at the point of attack. Excellent movement skills and flexibility in order to bend the corner as a pass rusher. Capable of lining up as a stand up pass rusher off the edge with his get off. Has the frame to add impressive weight throughout his frame. Projects to the interior defensive line as a 3-technique in a 4-3 front or as a 4i-technique in a 3-4 front.

…Has the length and power to stop the run as well as the athleticism and first step to be an effective pass rusher. Will need to see if he can maintain his athleticism as he adds weight but will always have the power to be a dominant run stopper at the next level. High ceiling prospect if he can maintain burst with the added mass with an equally high floor due to his play strength and frame.”