By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports
The D-line is the first point of resistance, tasked with stuffing the run and collapsing the passing pocket.
Defensive linemen are often stat-machines on the outside, recording sacks and tackles for loss. Meanwhile, inside linemen work in virtual anonymity.
The primary job of the tackles is to lock up blockers, allowing the linebackers to come in and make plays, while also giving those edge rushers room to work.
Today, we continue our preparations for the upcoming college football season with a look at the top defensive line units in the West.
1. Oregon Ducks
The Ducks have the defensive line covered inside and outside.
On the edge they have Matayo Uiagalelei, who will be an elite edge rusher this season. In the middle they have Bear Alexander, a true run-stuffer who is athletic enough to make plays in the backfield.
A’Mauri Washington will also see time in the middle, and he can be very disruptive in the rung games and with deflections against the pass. Terrance Green also has the potential to be very good for the Ducks on the line.
This is a unit that saw three players selected in the top 90 picks in the draft last April, but Oregon has reloaded on the defensive front.
2. Arizona State Sun Devils
The front four of the Sun Devil defense should be a strong point for the team and perhaps the strongest position unit on the squad.
This is a veteran unit that brought a ton of talent back from last year. The group is led by CJ Fite in the middle, a DT that makes a ton of plays all over the line.
Clayton Smith and Prince Dorbah could be two that provide a more consistent pass rush.
The group figures to be dominant against the run but could be better at putting pressure on QBs.
3. Utah Utes
Logan Fano is the centerpiece of this line unit, in which the sum of its parts outweigh any individual, relying on some newcomers to gel quickly with the veterans.
Fano will work at the end as a pass-rush specialist, and the middle of the line will be anchored by Dallas Vakalahi.
The Utes will have a deep rotation at tackle with Aliki Vimahi coming off an injury-riddled 2024 while Jonah Lea’ea could also be productive up front.
John Henry Daley will be a contributor at end and Lance Holtzclaw could be a dangerous pass rusher.
4. USC Trojans
The Trojans added a ton to the DL in the transfer portal—well, not a true ton—but 700 pounds in the form of Keeshawn Silver and Jamal Jarrett.
Those two newcomers from SEC country will enhance an already-strong unit for USC. They’ll be joined in the middle by Devin Thompkins and Kobe Pope.
Kameryn Fountain could be a breakout performer at end while Anthony Lucas and Braylan Shelby will provide depth.
This unit may be the most improved on the Trojans roster and their success will have a direct impact on the overall success of USC in 2025.
5. Boise State Broncos
The leading sack man from 2024 returns for the Broncos in Jayden Virgin-Morgan who, along with Trey White of SDSU, are the two premier pass rushers in the Mountain West.
Virgin-Morgan will have some help in Dion Washington, who makes his way to Boise from Hawaii after opening his career at Nevada. At just 290 pounds, the nose tackle is agile enough to crash the backfield, as he did last season, collecting two sacks and four TFL.
The Broncos allowed just 122.3 rushing yards per game last season, and they bring back more key pieces.
Braxton Fely is an All-Mountain West performer at DT, Max Stege should step into the opposite DE, and JUCO All-American David Latu provides depth.
6. UCLA Bruins
Last season, UCLA allowed just over 96 yards per game on the ground to rank sixth in the nation, after bringing back a ton of experience as a unit.
Keanu Williams, Siale Taupaki and Gary Smith III are a trio of seniors who are all back.
Those three, along with transfer Ashton Sanders from Oklahoma, give the Bruins quite the DT rotation for their 4-3 set.
On the edges, the Bruins will see some new faces. Grant Buckey could provide a spark, and look for a slew of transfers to play a significant role at DE.
7. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
The Warriors operate out of a 4-2-5 look most of the time, and the tackles are tasked with keeping the blockers engaged and allowing the LBs to make plays.
UH has brought in a couple of transfers at that position, and they could be really good.
De’Jon Benton, formerly of New Mexico and USC along with Luther McCoy, arriving via Minnesota, should step in and immediately produce. Jamar Sakona will give them options in the middle.
The Warriors struggled against the run last season, but collected nearly three sacks per game. Elijah Robinson and Jackie Johnson tied for the team lead with five sacks, and will be back in force with Tariq Jones at defensive end as well.
8. Air Force Falcons
The front of the Falcons 3-4 defense has been awfully good in recent seasons and 2025 should be no different.
Peyton Zdroik will anchor the line at the NT spot and he is one of the best interior linemen in the Mountain West.
Aidan Swartz and Daniel Grobe will most likely join him along the line for a unit that is extremely experienced and disciplined.
Last season, the Falcons were decent against the run but did not make nearly enough stops behind the line.
9. Washington Huskies
Washington was woefully bad against the run in 2024, allowing 200+ on the ground four times. Seven of their last nine opponents ran for at least 170 yards.
Washington looked to shore that up in the off season, and they will need to be better against the run this season.
The additions of Ta’ita’I Uigalelei at end and notably Anterio Thompson will make UW much better.
Isaiah Ward should be a force as a rush edge. Elinneus Davis saw action at DT as a freshman and should be able step into a more productive role in 2025.
10. San Jose State Spartans
The Spartans have a chance to make some noise this season, and the front three will mix things up and make some plays.
Gafa Faga should lead the upperclassmen laden unit from the DT spot in the 3-4 look.
Justin Stearns will work from one edge while Quincy Likio should be on the other side.
Dylan Hampsten has a nose for bringing opponents down in the backfield. Vili Taufatofua joins the squad from Utah and could find early success in his new home.
11. Colorado Buffaloes
The Buffs have a chance to be really good up front this season. Alabama transfer Jehiem Oatis could have a huge season in Boulder as a beast in the middle.
The former Tide DT is a space-eater and sure tackler. The Mississippi native is a monster in the middle of the line at 325 lbs.
Arden Walker will be a force when he lines up on the edge and Amari McNeill will make plays whether he lines up on the end or in a DT spot.
McNeill, Anquin Barnes, and Tawfiq Thomas combined for 57 tackles last season.
12. San Diego State Aztecs
The Aztecs have Trey White lining up on the end, and that alone is enough to find a spot on this list.
White was a phenomenal force last season, even facing doubles. He was fourth in the nation in sacks and TFLs per game. This season, he should have a little more help along the line.
The DTs should be better with more experience. Malichi Finau will provide depth in the center of the line.
Ryan Henderson and Brady Nassar will line up at the other end spot, and they finished last season with a combined 3.5 sacks as the pressure can come from either side.
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).
