2021 Best Classes: The Defensive Line

With signing day finally upon us we look at the best classes in the country by position group. The defensive line is a little different for each team and we will evaluate the classes based on the quality and how well they fit together. For the purposes of this article we will use the 247Sports Composite rankings because they factor in all of the major rankings services. Here are the teams that brought in the most talent along the defensive front:

Alabama

Alabama holds the top spot here as well and they are still in contention for JT Tuimoloau, his commitment would bolster the class further or perhaps help a contender catch up here. Alabama’s class as it currently stands has four commitments from recruits that are all ranked in the top six at their position. At weak-side defensive end Alabama has signed Dallas Turner and Keanu Koht, who rank first and third at the position. Both are fast twitch athletes off the edge that will excel at rushing the passer. Turner is probably more of a sure thing, but Koht is a high upside player that could be just as good down the road.

The Crimson Tide also signed Damon Payne who is the fourth ranked defensive tackle in the class. Payne is a quick interior defensive lineman who uses his hands well to shed blocks. The final recruit currently in the class is strong-side defensive end, Monkell Goodwine, who is the sixth ranked player at the position. Goodwine is a well built prospect with long arms. that could play as an end or a three technique. With these four players Alabama has a defensive line class that features good quickness and versatility along the defensive front.

Texas A&M

The Aggies backed up a strong season on the field with a strong recruiting class as well. Texas A&M signed five defensive lineman in the 2021 class, but this is not a quantity based selection, the Aggies have high end talent coming to College Station. The top prospect that signed with the Aggies was five star defensive tackle Shemar Turner, who is the number three defensive tackle in the country. Turner is a versatile prospect who has the quickness and power to play multiple positions along the defensive front. A&M also added two strong-side defensive ends to the mix, Tunmise Adeleye and Marcus Burris. The disruptive duo ranks fifth and tenth at the position and has the size to play inside but the quickness to play on the edge as well.

At the weak-side defensive end spot, the Aggies added two more prospects, Elijah Jeudy and Jahzion Harris. Jeudy and Harris rank 13th and 14th in the weak-side defensive end rankings. Jeudy is a well built rush end prospect with a quick first step. Harris has excellent length and burst but needs to add weight and work on his technique. With a variety of styles and a talented arsenal of defensive linemen headed to College Station the Aggies’ defense is in great shape moving forward.

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Ohio State

The Buckeyes have become a defensive line factory with Larry Johnson coaching the unit this decade. Ohio State is considered the favorite to land JT Tuimoloau at this point and signing him would vault them to the top of this list. Tuimoloau is the second ranked strong-side defensive end in the class and Ohio State already has a commitment from Jack Sawyer, the third ranked strong-side defensive end in the class. Sawyer has a devastating combination of athleticism and power that should help him become the next great defensive end at Ohio State.

To go with Sawyer, the Buckeyes have already signed two defensive tackles that fit well side by side. Mike Hall is the fifth ranked defensive tackle and is a strong interior player with good burst that allows him to penetrate well. He is a good fit next to Tyleik Williams, the 13th ranked player at the position. Williams is a powerful player who is surprisingly quick for someone with such a stocky build. The duo will be an excellent pair on the interior and with Sawyer make up an excellent three man haul on the defensive line group, with the potential to get better if they can sign Tuimoloau

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LSU

LSU did not have the season they wanted following a national championship run, but they did sign a good recruiting class which features a good group of defensive linemen. The leader of the group is Maason Smith, a five star recruit who is the second ranked defensive tackle in the country. Smith is an imposing presence on the interior of the defensive line who is stout against the run and has enough quickness to rush the passer. The Tigers also landed the 12th ranked strong-side defensive end in the country, Bryce Langston. Langston has some developing to do, but has the quickness and size to become a good player.

LSU added two weak-side defensive ends to help rush the passer. Landon Jackson and Saivion Jones are the eighth and tenth ranked weak-side defensive ends in the class. Jackson has elite length with the frame and explosiveness to become an elite pass rusher if he taps into his potential. Jones is not far behind in terms of his frame and has good closing speed when in pursuit. With four defensive linemen that have a high ceiling and can all play across the front together, LSU has reloaded on the defensive line well.

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Oklahoma

The Sooners improved their defensive play on the field this season and have recruited a good defensive line group to add to the team. Oklahoma has four commitments on the defensive line, but none of them is a true defensive tackle. They did land the number 16 strong-side defensive end recruit, Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge. He is a very raw prospect but has great length and the frame to become an excellent defensive linemen if he can tap into his potential.

The strength of Oklahoma’s defensive line class is on the outside. At the weak-side defensive end spot the Sooners landed three excellent prospects. The best of the bunch is Clayton Smith, the second ranked player at the position in the class. Smith has the length and athleticism to rush the passer and also has the feet to play off the ball as a linebacker. Oklahoma also signed, Kelvin Gilliam who is ranked seventh at the position. Gilliam has good size and could grow into a three technique, but has the quickness to be an edge rusher if he does not add weight. Ethan Downs is the fourth player in the class, he is the 11th ranked prospect at the position and is a versatile athlete who can play multiple spots. The group may not have a true tackle, but the speed and pass rushing ability is impressive.

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