Top Defensive Linemen
Class of 2026 -- ranked by measurables, physical ceiling, and recruiting validation
Rare physical specimen at 6'4" 245 with a verified 4.65 forty, FBS offers from Nevada and Washington State, and elite strength numbers (605 deadlift). The 2A competition level is a legitimate concern, but his size-speed combination, motor, and year-over-year defensive improvement (0 sacks as a freshman to 9 as a senior) give him the highest ceiling in this class.
Tanner Gray is a rare physical specimen at 6'4" 245 lbs who dominated Colorado 2A on both sides of the ball across a 4-year starting career. His career defensive trajectory -- going from 0 sacks as a freshman to 9 sacks and 24 TFL as a senior -- combined with his elite strength numbers (315 bench, 605 deadlift), wrestling pedigree, and natural burst off the edge give him legitimate upside as a developmental EDGE rusher at Nevada. The competition level and scheme transition are real concerns, but his athletic profile, motor, and proven ability to improve year-over-year suggest a player who can develop into a rotational contributor at the FBS level.
The most productive pass rusher in the group with 31 career sacks across two seasons at the 5A level, including 18 sacks and 27 TFL as a senior against quality competition. Air Force commit with legitimate edge speed (even his showcase 4.85 is solid at 220 lbs), elite hand technique, and a relentless motor — the complete package for a G5 edge rusher.
Brody Sieck is a productive, high-motor edge rusher who dominated Colorado 5A competition with 17 sacks and 27 TFL as a senior, earning First Team All-State honors. His self-reported 4.62 laser forty at 220 lbs would be exceptional edge speed, though his 4.85 showcase forty creates some uncertainty about his verified athletic testing. He projects as a strong fit at Air Force where his relentless effort, high character, and pass-rush technique will translate well at the Group of Five level.
Head coach Tyler Brayton is a former NFL defensive end (Carolina Panthers) -- not family but notable coaching pedigree. No family athletic background found in available data.
At 6'5" 230 with a 4.71 forty and 4.31 shuttle, Palmer has the best combination of length, athleticism, and verified testing in this class — those are legit FCS/low-end FBS numbers. His Northern Colorado commitment is validated by his tools, and his 28 TFL/11 sacks as a junior show elite production when healthy; the senior dip is explained by his ankle injury.
Brogan Palmer is a high-ceiling, small-school edge rusher with rare length (6'5") and legitimate two-way production as both a DE and TE. His four-year career trajectory shows steady improvement -- from 2 sacks as a freshman to 11 as a junior -- and his ability to line up across the DL in multiple alignments gives coaches schematic flexibility. However, the 1A competition level, lack of verified testing data, and the need to add 20-30 lbs of functional mass to his frame make him a developmental FCS prospect who will need time in a college strength program before contributing.
Matching Sieck's 17 sacks and 27 TFL at the 4A level with a projectable 6'3" frame is extremely impressive, especially given the massive year-over-year leap from 5 sacks to 17. The lack of offers and verified testing is the only thing holding him back — if he tests well at camps this offseason, he's a legitimate FCS or low-end FBS prospect with significant upside.
Zane Bath is a late-developing edge rusher who exploded as a senior with 17 sacks and 27 TFL in Class 4A, earning CHSAA All-State honorable mention and Denver Post All-Colorado recognition. At 6'3" and 200 lbs, he has a projectable frame with significant room to add mass, but he needs verified athletic testing and exposure at camps to generate college interest. His production is eye-catching for a developmental FCS or D2 prospect, but the lack of offers, absence of measurables data, and lower level of competition make him a late-blooming sleeper who needs a strong offseason of camps and combines to earn scholarship opportunities.
Best frame in the class at 6'4" 225 with room to grow, and he produced 17 career sacks at the 5A level while contributing as a receiving tight end (59 career catches). His Western Colorado commitment likely undervalues his tools — that length and two-way production at 5A suggest he could have been an FCS prospect with more exposure.
Jacob Martin is a long, athletic two-way player with legitimate pass rush production (9 sacks, 17 TFL as a senior) and the frame to potentially grow into a D2 or low-end FCS defensive end. His 6'4" frame at 225 lbs has room to add 25-30 lbs of functional mass, and his multi-sport background suggests continued physical development. He signed with Western Colorado (D2), which is a solid landing spot, though his lack of verified testing data and limited exposure may have cost him higher-level opportunities.
The 6'3" frame, elite academics (4.6 GPA, 1340 SAT), and dramatic sack progression (1 → 3 → 12) paint a picture of a late-blooming edge rusher who is still ascending. His 4.6 shuttle shows legitimate lateral quickness, and the Ivy/Patriot League fit is obvious — he's a scholarship-caliber prospect for academic programs.
Kai Rogers is a high-upside, under-recruited edge rusher who posted elite sack numbers (12 sacks, 18 TFL, 66 tackles) as a senior in Colorado 4A. At 6'3" and 195 lbs with reported 265 bench and 435 squat, he has the frame and functional strength to project as a D2/FCS defensive end with the potential to grow into a low-level FBS prospect if he can add 25+ lbs of good weight. His elite academics (4.6 GPA, 1340 SAT) make him a strong fit for academic-oriented programs and could open scholarship opportunities at Ivy League, Patriot League, or Pioneer League schools.
Zay Rogers (5'8", 2028, RB) plays at Thomas Jefferson and may be a younger sibling. No other family athletic background found.
135 tackles and 29 TFL with 10 sacks is an absurd stat line that shows elite motor and disruption, and his positional versatility across DT/EDGE/ILB is valuable. At 5'11" 205, he projects more as a college OLB/EDGE tweener than a true DL, but the #117 PrepRedzone ranking and that 4-sack game against Thornton validate real pass-rush ability.
Good size at 6'3" 225 with 19 TFL and 9 sacks as a senior, plus positional versatility (DE/OLB/OT/TE) that college coaches love. The 3A competition level and lack of verified testing keep him from a higher tier, but his frame and production suggest a developmental FCS edge rusher with room to add mass.
Bivins is a productive, high-motor defensive end from Colorado 3A who made a significant statistical leap as a senior (47 tkl, 19 TFL, 9 sacks). At 6'3" 225 lbs with positional versatility (DE/OLB/OT/TE) and multi-sport athleticism, he has physical tools that project to a developmental FCS or D2 edge rusher. His lack of verified testing data and small-school competition level mean he needs camp exposure and combine numbers to validate his film production at the next level.
Goes by 'James Bivins V' suggesting he is the fifth in a family line. No other family athletic background information found.
Physically mature at 6'2" 240 with elite weight room numbers (365 bench, 435 squat) and back-to-back All-State honors at 4A — a ready-made D2 starter. His versatility to play both DE and DT is a plus, though the 4.9 forty limits his FBS ceiling.
At 6'2" 265 with All-State First Team honors on a 4A state championship team, Weston has the size and strength (585 squat) to project as an interior DL at the D2 level. His 7 sacks and 8 TFL as a senior show real pass-rush upside from the DT spot, and playing on a championship team validates his ability to produce in big moments.
Marcus Weston is a productive, high-motor interior defensive lineman who earned All-State First Team honors while helping Dakota Ridge win the 4A state championship. His career arc -- 132 tackles, 10.5 sacks, and 13.5 TFL over three varsity seasons -- plus elite self-reported strength numbers (585 squat, 285 bench) suggest a physically mature player who projects as a quality D2 starter at CSU-Pueblo, though his 6'1"-6'2" frame and lack of verified athletic testing likely capped his ceiling at the D1 level.
22 TFL and 9 sacks at the 5A level with All-State Second Team honors demonstrate legitimate disruption against the best competition in Colorado. At 6'1" 250, he's a bit short for DE and a bit light for DT at higher levels, but his versatility to play both spots and his pass-rush toolkit make him a quality D2 starter at CSU Pueblo.
Javon Jones is a productive, high-motor defensive lineman who dominated statistically in Colorado 5A with 22 TFL and 9 sacks as a senior, earning All-State Second Team honors. However, at 6'1" and around 250 lbs with no verified athletic testing and a D2 commitment to CSU Pueblo, his physical ceiling projects as a quality D2 starter rather than a D1 contributor. His pass-rush toolkit (hand speed, bull rush, edge bend) and relentless effort are legit, but the lack of D1 interest despite elite production suggests evaluators see frame and measurable limitations.
A true two-way weapon with 10 sacks and 16 TFL on defense plus 640 rushing yards at 8.4 YPC on offense, backed by an elite wrestling pedigree (state placer at 165 and 190 lbs). At 6'0" 200, he needs to commit to one side of the ball and add mass, but the wrestling background suggests leverage and functional strength that translates.
Achilles Evans is a productive, physically tough two-way player with an elite wrestling pedigree and strong character, but he remains a significant projection at the D1 level due to a complete lack of verified athletic testing, zero offers, and competition level concerns in a developmental 4A conference. His 6'0"/200 frame at RB/DE with room to fill out, combined with back-to-back 8+ YPC seasons and dominant defensive stats (9 sacks as a DE), suggest an intriguing FCS or D2 prospect who could earn D1 looks with a strong camp/combine circuit showing verified speed and agility numbers.
Adopted from foster care at age 10. Has 9 biological siblings and 9 siblings in his adopted home (per NCSA profile: 7 adopted siblings). Brother Daniel Evans also wrestles for Sand Creek -- placed 5th at state at 138 lbs in same year Achilles placed 3rd at 165. No known parents with college/pro athletic backgrounds found.
16 sacks and 27 TFL at the 3A level with a 4.7 forty and 255-lb bench at 190 lbs shows a productive, quick-twitch pass rusher with real disruption ability. However, the 6'1"/190 frame and 3A competition level cap his ceiling — he'll need to add 30+ lbs to have a shot at the FCS level.
Luca Tucci is a high-motor, undersized edge rusher who dominated Colorado 3A football with 16 sacks and 27 TFL as a senior, earning All-State honors and Denver Post All-Colorado recognition. His combination of speed (self-reported 4.7 forty), strength (255 bench at 190 lbs), and relentless effort make him a productive player at the high school level, but his 6'1"/190 frame and 3A competition level present significant projection challenges for D1 football. He profiles best as a D2/D3/NAIA prospect with potential FCS walk-on upside if he can add significant mass while maintaining his explosiveness.
Brother Nicco Tucci (#3) is also a senior at Pueblo County, playing nose tackle on football and guard in basketball. Both joined Hudl on the same day (May 10, 2022), suggesting they are likely twins or close in age.
Solid two-way lineman at 6'1" 215 with a 4.63 forty — that's legitimate speed for a DL — and 86 tackles with 15 TFL and 5 sacks shows a high-motor player. His Western Colorado commitment and All-State/Lineman of the Year honors validate his production, though the 2A/3A level and modest sack numbers limit his upside.
At 6'4" with a lean frame (190-205 lbs), Peterson has the length and All-State recognition to be a legitimate developmental prospect if he can add 30+ lbs in a college S&C program. The 6 sacks and 42 tackles in 4A are modest but he plays a premium position with rare length — needs camp exposure and verified testing to validate the projection.
14 sacks and 86 tackles as a 1A All-State selection show real pass-rush skill set with good swim moves and bend. At 6'2" 207, he has a frame that could fill out to 230+ in college, but the 1A competition level and complete absence of verified testing or offers make him a project.
Tyree Toliver is a productive small-school edge rusher who earned CHSAA All-State honors in Class 1A with 86 tackles, 19 TFL, and 14 sacks as a senior -- a massive statistical leap from prior seasons. At 6'1"-6'2" and 207 lbs, he's undersized for a college DE and the lack of verified athletic testing data and D1 offers are significant concerns, but his pass-rush skill set (swim moves, bend, hand strength, power rush) is well-regarded by scouts. He projects as an FCS or D2 prospect with potential to earn low-level FBS looks if he tests well athletically and continues to add mass.
91 tackles, 23 TFL, and 10 sacks with All-State First Team honors show he dominated 8-man competition, and his 6'3" 215 frame with 405 squat has room to grow. However, the 4.86 forty and 8-man competition level are major barriers to D1 projection — profiles as a D2/D3 prospect.
Seth Seger is a productive and physically strong 8-man defensive lineman who dominated his classification with 91 tackles, 23 TFL, and 10 sacks as a senior, earning CHSAA All-State First Team honors. His 6'3" 215 lb frame, strong weight room numbers (405 squat, 225 bench), and 4.00 GPA make him an intriguing small-school prospect, but the massive competition-level gap from Class A 8-Man to D1 football, combined with a lack of verified speed testing and no current recruiting interest, realistically projects him as a D2/D3/NAIA prospect with a possible preferred walk-on opportunity at a smaller FCS program if he can add significant weight and improve his speed.
A powerful 260-lb interior lineman with 12 sacks and elite strength numbers (465 squat, 495 deadlift) plus a wrestling background that translates to leverage. The 6'0" height and 5.01 forty are limiting factors, but he could carve out a role as a D2 nose guard.
Mestas is a productive, high-motor defensive lineman who dominated 3A competition with 12 sacks and 15 TFL in his senior season, earning All-State honors. His impressive weight room numbers (465 squat, 495 deadlift) and wrestling background suggest real functional strength, but his 6'0" frame and 5.01 forty limit his ceiling at the D1 level. He projects as a D2/NAIA nose guard or DT prospect with potential to earn a preferred walk-on opportunity at a lower-level D1 program if he continues to develop his first-step quickness.
10 sacks as a senior at 4A shows real pass-rush production, and his track background confirms athleticism. At 6'0" 180, he's dramatically undersized for a college DE and would need a major physical transformation to play at the next level.
Jameel Jeffery is a productive, high-motor defensive end who has put together impressive sack numbers (16 career sacks, 20 TFL) at the Colorado 4A level, ranking among the state's top pass rushers as a senior. However, at 6'0" 180 lbs with no D1 offers and limited exposure, he projects as a D2/NAIA edge rusher who needs to add significant mass and get verified testing numbers in front of college coaches. His track background and return specialist ability confirm legitimate athleticism, but the combination of size limitations and low competition level makes a D1 projection a significant reach without a major physical transformation.
Appears to be the same player as Jameel Jeffery (identical stats, school, and physical profile) — 16 career sacks and two-way versatility show a productive player, but 6'0" 180 with no testing data or offers limits the projection significantly.
Jameel 'Milly' Jeffery is a productive high school pass rusher with 85 career tackles, 20 TFL, and 16 sacks across two varsity seasons at Aurora Central, but his profile has significant hurdles for D1 projection. At 6'0" 180 lbs with no verified athletic testing, no offers, and competition limited to Colorado 4A, he projects more realistically as a D2/D3/NAIA edge rusher who needs to add significant mass, attend camps to get verified measurables, and improve his academic standing to become recruitable at the FCS level or above.
Solid production at 60 tackles, 15 TFL, and 6 sacks in 1A with a 6'2" frame and good weight room numbers (405 squat, 265 bench). Adams State commitment is an appropriate landing spot — the 4.89 forty and 1A competition level limit his ceiling but the frame has room to grow.
11 sacks and All-State honors in 2A with multi-sport athleticism (state track qualifier in long jump) confirm he has real athletic ability. However, at 6'1" 170, he is severely undersized for any college DL position and the 2A competition level makes projection very difficult.
Bustillos is a high-motor, undersized edge rusher who dominated Colorado 2A competition with 11 sacks and 13 TFL as a senior, earning CHSAA All-State honors. However, at 6'1" 170 lbs, he is dramatically undersized for any college defensive line position and would need to add significant mass. His multi-sport athleticism (state track qualifier in long jump, varsity basketball) and rapid year-over-year statistical improvement suggest upside, but the small-school competition level and lack of verified testing data make him a D2/D3/NAIA prospect rather than a realistic D1 candidate.
Breakout senior season with 8 sacks and 14 TFL shows rapid improvement, but at 5'11" 200 with no testing data and no recruiting interest, he projects as a D3/NAIA prospect. The year-over-year jump from 0 sacks to 8 is intriguing but needs validation at higher competition levels.
Jorge Gaytan is a productive two-way player (TE/DE) who had a breakout senior season with 42 tackles, 14 TFL, and 8 sacks, earning All-Metro North League Second Team honors on defense. However, at 5'11" and 200 lbs with no verified athletic testing, no recruiting service profile, and no D1 offers, he projects as a lower-level college prospect at best -- likely D2/D3/NAIA as a defensive end or outside linebacker who would need to add 30-40 lbs to compete at the next level. His rapid junior-to-senior improvement is encouraging but the competition level and lack of measurables make a D1 projection unrealistic without significant physical development.
An absurd career stat line of 350 tackles and 51 sacks across four years is impossible to ignore, but at 5'9" with likely sub-170 playing weight, there is no realistic D1 DL projection. His wrestling background and motor could translate to a small-college linebacker role if he can add mass.
Enzo Hernandez is an incredibly productive small-school defensive lineman with a remarkable four-year career stat line (350 tackles, 51 sacks, 62 TFL), but his 5'9" frame and likely sub-170 lb playing weight make a D1 defensive line projection extremely difficult. His motor, wrestling background, and instincts are translatable, but he would need to add significant mass and prove his athleticism at camps to project as even a small-college linebacker or defensive end. Without verified measurables, film on Hudl, or any college offers, he profiles as an NAIA/D3 prospect at best unless he demonstrates elite speed/agility testing that could justify a position change.
110 tackles and 23 TFL show dominance at the 6-man level, but with no measurables whatsoever — not even a listed height and weight — and zero recruiting interest, there is no way to project him to any level of college football without seeing him at a camp first.
Grady Steerman is a high-motor, two-way 6-man football player whose defensive production (110 tackles, 23 TFL, 6 sacks) is impressive in context, but the lack of any verified measurables, the extremely small-school 6-man competition level, and zero recruiting interest from any level make a D1 projection unrealistic. He profiles as a potential small-college (NAIA/D3) prospect who would need to attend camps and get verified measurables to generate any recruiting traction.