Teams that win games have a quarterback and an outstanding pass rush, and there are a ton of talented defensive line players set to wreak havoc on the opposition in 2018.
These are not necessarily the top 10 freshmen defensive lineman in America, but rather the 10 with the best chance of making an immediate impact for their teams. Positional rankings are included.
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| Clemson's Xavier Thomas (USAToday) |
1. Xavier Thomas/Clemson (DL1) -- The Tigers add to their embarrassment of riches on the D-line by snagging the nation's top rated prospect. Already on the depth at one end spot, Thomas should have the ability to make waves early and often.
2. Ronnie Perkins/Oklahoma (DL10) -- Oklahoma lost a lot on defense, and may need freshmen to fill in a a lot of places. One of the biggest concerns is on the defensive line, and Perkins will add to the depth and have an ability to become a high-impact pass rusher for a team that will need to generate pressure.
3. Taron Vincent/Ohio State (DL5) -- The starters are pretty well established at OSU, but Vincent is a special talent who should be able to work his way into the rotation on the interior. A high motor, powerful player, Vincent is earmarked for stardom.
4. Dante Stills/West Virginia (DL24) -- Offense hasn't been an issue in Morgantown, but the stop side of the ball has kept the Mountaineers from getting where they want to be. Stills is a skilled, quick edge rusher who has already found his way on to the depth chart, and he could give WVU a much-needed boost in providing pressure in the pass-happy Big 12.
5. Brenton Cox/Georgia (DL6) -- Cox is part of the nation's top-rated recruiting class, and has the skills to break into a crowded, talented Georgia defense. He's at his best standing up, and could garner looks at rush linebacker in the Dawgs 3-4 scheme, but he could also find himself with his hand on the ground at times.
6. Atonio Mafi/UCLA (NR) -- The Bruins need a ton of help on defense after ranking 123rd nationally (and dead last against the run), and the powerfully built Mafi could be the answer at defensive tackle. At 6-3, 360, Mafi is a massive individual who will prove hard to move -- on the field and out of the lineup.
7. Stephon Wynn/Alabama (DL12) -- Alabama nabbed three of the top 20 defensive linemen in the nation in this latest recruiting cycle, and Wynn has the best shot at contributing right away. Nick Saban loves to rotate his linemen, and this Florida product has the skills and quickness to get into that rotation.
8. Kingsley Enagbare/South Carolina (DL48) -- The Gamecocks return three starters up front for a defense that was top 50 nationally in 2017, and Enagbare should fortify the front for Will Muschamp's squad. Enagbare had offers from Auburn, Georgia, Notre Dame and West Virginia, among others, so it's apparent that he has big time talent.
9. Jeffery Johnson/Tulane (NR) -- Johnson is not your typical Group of Five signee, holding offers from Alabama, LSU, Florida, Florida State and Mississippi State, among many others. A quick, explosive force on the interior, Johnson seized the starting nose tackle position in spring ball and appears to have limitless potential for a Green Wave team that appears to be trending upward.
10. Thomas Booker/Stanford (DL49) -- One of the jewels of a very good Cardinal recruiting class, Booker played end at Baltimore Gilman but will likely slide inside for Stanford. Booker had offers from Clemson, Florida State, Michigan, Ohio State and many others, and should have an immediate impact for a Stanford defense that was an unusually poor 76th in the country.
Just Missed: Tommy Togiai/Ohio State (DL9); Nesta Silvera/Miami Fla (DL8); Malik Vann/Cincinnati (DL72); Randy Charlton/UCF (NR); Calvin Avery/Illinois (DL40); Robert Cooper/Florida State (DL21); Jason Mercier/FIU (NR); Adam Plant/Arizona (NR); Jarell Cherry/LSU (DL38); Eddie Wilson/Buffalo (NR)
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