By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports
Defensive linemen are the first line of defense, charged with pressuring the passer and stuffing the run.
On this list, we have sack masters coming off the edge and the big space eaters in the middle, drawing doubles and creating gaps for teammates to clean up.
Today, we take a look at the top DL in the West.
1. Matayo Uiagalelei, DE, Oregon
Oregon had three defensive linemen selected among the top 90 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft; the lone holdover from the defensive front happened to lead the Big Ten in sacks in 2024.
In 2024, he collected 10.5 sacks to rank 10th in the nation in that category.
Uiagalelei could be an elite edge rusher this season and could put up Bednarik award numbers.
2. Jayden Virgin-Morgan, DE, Boise State
Last season, Virgin-Morgan earned first-team All-Mountain West honors.
He led the team in sacks and hurries, tying Ahmed Hassanein for the top spot in tackles for loss.
Has the ability to dominate a game from the edge.
3. Trey White, DE, San Diego State
White was absolutely dominant for the Aztecs in 2024.
He finished his sophomore season fourth in the nation with 1.04 sacks per game, while his 1.54 tackles for loss per game also ranked fourth in the country.
A bright spot in the rough season for SDSU, White should be just as tough to handle off the edge in 2025.
4. CJ Fite, DT, Arizona State
Fite can not only disrupt the passing game by making plays in the backfield but also gets his arms in the passing lanes to disrupt a lot of plays.
He’s a run-stuffer who came into his own last year with four TFLs, a couple of sacks, and a fumble recovered.
Fite will be a force in the middle of the Sun Devil line in 2025.
5. Jehiem Oatis, DT, Colorado
Oatis, an Alabama transfer, could have a huge season in Boulder. The Mississippi native is a monster in the middle of the line at 325 lbs.
He is a sure tackler who can be disruptive in the passing game and can get to the QB from the DT spot, and his long arms and size knock down a ton of passes.
The top defensive player in the portal will produce for CU.
6. Bear Alexander, DT, Oregon
Alexander is a versatile lineman. At 315 pounds, he is a bona fide run stuffer in the middle of the line, but he has the speed and athleticism to make plays in the backfield.
The journeyman is in his third collegiate stop, and the tools are there for him to be a dominant force on the line.
We will see if they finally fully materialize.
7. Braylan Shelby, DE, USC
The veteran will bring stability to the Trojan line and a ton of athleticism.
Shelby is long and quick and should cause a ton of issues for opponents in 2025.
Had three sacks in 2025 and could be an impact player this season.
8. Korey Foreman, DE, Fresno State
Foreman has all of the tools to dominate on the edge in the Mountain West during his senior season.
He is quick off the ball and has the strength to get past bigger linemen. Last season he collected three sacks and five tackles for loss.
Foreman was 14th in the nation in forced fumbles in 2024 as he has the ability to dislodge the ball from the man.
9. Thomas Collins, DT, Oregon State
Collins could be poised for a breakout season in his second year with the Beavers.
Willing to do all of the dirty work that makes a successful DT, he can eat up space in the middle and allow LBs to clean up the mess.
Collins also has the athleticism to get penetration and make plays behind the line.
10. Tre Smith, DE, Arizona
Tre Smith’s first season in Tucson from San Jose State was very productive.
He filled up the stat sheet with 53 total tackles and 7.5 of the stops coming behind the line.
Smith also collected 4.5 sacks last fall, which equals the most of any returning Big XII lineman.
11. Clayton Smith, DE, Arizona State
Smith collected 4.5 sacks last season to rank 14th in the Big XII and was force for the ASU line.
Another true rush edge, Smith finds himself in the backfield a lot.
His sack total from a season ago is tied for the highest of any returner along the line in the conference this fall.
12. Solomon Tuliaupupu, DE, Montana
Tuliaupupu comes to the Grizzlies via USC and should put up huge numbers for Montana.
A force off the edge with a quick first step, he should spend a lot of time in opponents’ backfields this fall.
Injuries limited him at USC, but his size and speed will cause a lot of problems for Big Sky opponents.
Notable
- Arden Walker, DE, Colorado
- Logan Fano, DE, Utah
writes about various topics for SuperWest sports, including stats and records, college sports, and motorsports. He also founded and runs the Sports and Entertainment Research Center (SERC).
