2026 Senior Bowl Preview: Defensive Line

The defensive line at the 2026 Senior Bowl is a dominant group filled with an eclectic mix of prospects who could go on to big things at the next level. Who are the best of the best defensive linemen that are tasked with getting to the quarterback in Mobile? Are there any sleepers who could rise to the top of the draft board? With Day 1 of practices in the books, which pass rushers project themselves as the next big thing, paving their way into the league?

Note: All statistics courtesy of College Football Reference

In case you missed any of the previous positional previews, they are linked below:

Running Back

Wide Receiver

Offensive Line

American Team

EDGE

1. Quintayvious Hutchins | Boston College | 6’2 229

2. Derrick Moore | Michigan | 6’2 254

3. T.J. Parker | Clemson | 6’3 253

4. Zion Young | Missouri | 6’5 262

Big Name

Derrick Moore

Moore has the physical tools to become a force in the league, and he wins with power and length more than pure speed. He was a contributor for the national championship team in 2023 before exploding onto the scene with an excellent senior season in 2025. The former Wolverines standout posted 30 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks in his final campaign, earning him an invitation to the Senior Bowl. PFF ranked him as the 19th-best EDGE in the country with an overall score of 89.9 and a pass rush score of 92.4. The long line of great Michigan pass rushers is definitely getting longer with Moore having a chance to lock in a Day 2 selection in Mobile.

Top Prospect

T.J. Parker

Clemson’s defensive line has lost a lot of NFL talent over the years, and Parker might be the best of them all. He has above-average speed and athleticism, but brute force is his preferred style. The fall off from 2024’s statistical highs to the 2025 season best represented the Tigers’ woes as a former ACC contender. He posted 21.5 sacks in three seasons, with an amazing 11 coming in 2024. 41.5 tackles for loss means that he’s doing something right. Parker also has the physical traits that talent evaluators look for in EDGEs. With a good week of practice, he can show that 2025 was an aberration and that he’s a far more talented prospect than he’s been given credit for. The former Clemson star should be a first-round selection at the end of the process.

Sleeper

Zion Young

Young is an underrated EDGE prospect in this class due to his teammate Damon Wilson II (who’s since transferred) shining in 2025. The former Tigers pass rusher’s numbers aren’t gaudy, but he was consistently good with a breakout 6.5 sacks in 2025. He possesses great size and length that scouts want in EDGE prospects, measuring in at 6’5 262. His motor doesn’t quit, and the underlying numbers uncover a bit of startling truth. PFF credited him with 56 pressures in 2025 and a pass rush score of 82.7. Young could be a sneaky Day 2 two selection with a good week in Mobile.

IDL/DL

1. Cameron Ball | Arkansas | 6’3 313

2. Caleb Banks | Florida

3. Nick Barrett | South Carolina | 6’3 315

4. Rayshaun Benny | Michigan | 6’3 296

5. Gabe Jacas | Illinois | 6’3 260

6. Tim Keenan III | Alabama | 6’1 332

7. Chris McClellan | Missouri | 6’3 315

8. LT Overton | Alabama | 6’2 278

Top Prospect

Tim Keenan III

Keenan is a big dude at 6’1 332, and a bowling ball of sheer terror for offensive linemen to attempt at blocking. He lost a lot of weight during his college career, and it shows in his extra flexibility. His lateral agility can shock a lot of offensive linemen, but he’s a great fit at nose tackle. He’s one of the better IDL prospects on the American team and could go as early as Day 2, but the fourth round looks like the landing spot for him. He’s an Alabamian by way of Birmingham, competing in his last collegiate event in the state.

Sleeper

Gabe Jacas

Jacas starred for Illinois at EDGE but lined up pretty much everywhere along the line over the years. His versatility is a trait that teams will love when they pore over the film. The lights came on as a junior when he posted 74 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and eight sacks as a linebacker. He converted to EDGE full-time in 2025, so the tackle numbers went down naturally, but the sack numbers increased to 11 while maintaining the same TFL numbers. He’s an athletic freak with the measureables to back up his solid play. The Illini star defender possesses the size and weight to make an impact for an enterprising DC at the next level, but EDGE looks to be his permanent home. If he has a productive week, he could go on lay 2. late

National Team

EDGE

1. Vincent Anthony, Jr | Duke | 6’5 246

2. Dani Dennis-Sutton | Penn State | 6’5 268

3. Logan Fano | Utah | 6’4 258

4. Romello Height | Texas Tech | 6’2 234

5. Max Llewellyn | Iowa | 6’5 255

6. Cian Slone | NC State | 6’3 239

Big Name

Dani Dennis-Sutton

That noise you hear? Another Penn State pass rusher is roaring into the league. After serving as Abdul Carter’s cohort for a couple of seasons, 2025 provided an opportunity as the lead dog. He delivered on that promise in spades, even if Penn State didn’t as a whole. DDS produced a remarkably similar stat line of 42 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, and three PBUs in 2025 in comparison to 2024. Teams will at least love his consistency. He’s one of the bigger EDGE rushers in the class, so his frame is ready. Power is the name of his game rather than raw athleticism, although he does flash in that area at times. Football IQ and work ethic are major pluses. With a good week, he could go higher than a middle Day 3 selection, given his pedigree and talent.

Top Prospect

Romello Height

Height started his career with Auburn, but found his way to Texas Tech in 2025 after taking detours through USC and Georgia Tech. He’s an undersized pass rusher with explosive athleticism, but he needs to add a significant amount of weight to become a full-time player. He’s a bendy, quick-twitch pass rusher with a knack for stunning blockers with his speed. However, his size can work against him if blockers can get their hands on him. He developed an arsenal of pass rush moves to counter his limitations. PFF thought of him so highly that they ranked Height as the fourth-best EDGE with an overall score of 92.5. Teammate David Bailey gets the notoriety, but don’t fall asleep on Height as a potential mid-first round selection with a great week.

Sleeper

Max Llewellyn

Another year, another touted Iowa defensive lineman trying to make his way into the league via the Senior Bowl. Llewellyn, like most Iowa defenders, gradually warmed up to a starting role. 2025 was his best season, posting 26 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks as a senior. He’s not the best athlete, but is a fundamentally sound lineman who played all over Iowa’s defensive front. The Iowa sack artist is businesslike in his approach and rarely gives up on plays. If he continues his ascendancy, there’s a chance that he could get drafted in the middle of Day 3 by a team looking for pass-rusher depth.

IDL/DL

1. Zane Durant | Penn State | 6’0 290

2. Bryson Eason | Tennessee | 6’2 316

3. Deven Eastern | Minnesota | 6’5 301

4. Gracen Halton | Oklahoma | 6’2 293

5. Lee Hunter | Texas Tech | 6’3 320

6. Jeffery M’Ba | SMU | 6’5 316

7. Tyreak Sapp | Florida

Big Name

Zane Durant

Durant is an impressive athlete who made it onto Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List”, which is seriously impressive. He’s an undersized defensive tackle who won’t fit in every system but is productive nonetheless. Penn State churns out freaky defensive linemen on the regular, and he’s the latest one. 2024 was his best statistical season with 42 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and three sacks. If he can shore up his power game, he could be one of the sneaky Day 3 selections that make good on a promising future. Teams will love his versatility along the line, so that will only help his case.

Top Prospect

Lee Hunter

Hunter emerged as the best nose tackle in the class with a monstrous season in the middle of the Red Raiders’ ballyhooed defensive line. He was the key piece on a star-studded defense and the secret sauce behind it all. He’s a plus athlete given the context of playing inside and possesses an explosive first step to stun blockers. Hunter transferred to Texas Tech from UCF before the 2025 season. He produced 172 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks during his illustrious career. He’s a game wrecker from the inside and with a great week, should see himself safely in Day 2. There’s a slight possibility of becoming a first-round selection with a monster draft process. The Yellowhammer State native returns to his hometown looking to dominate the proceedings.

Sleeper

Gracen Halton

Halton played all four seasons for the Sooners’ defense, which was revitalized and dominant at times under head coach Brent Venables. He’s an undersized defensive tackle who has enough athleticism to play on the edge, but his size is a question mark. He’s an explosive interior athlete, and a creative DC will use him in a hybrid role, ala Jeffery Simmons. There’s an underrated power trait underneath the hood in his game. While his numbers aren’t eye-popping, he consistently produced 30+ tackles in two seasons, along with 8.5 sacks. If he continues his good run of form during the week, there’s a chance that he could be selected by the fifth round. PFF ranked him as the 17th-best IDL in the class with an overall score of 84.7.