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Mike Farrell’s Top 10 Defensive Linemen in the 2025 NFL Draft

With the NFL Draft a week away, today I take a look at the top 10 available defensive linemen

April 17, 2025
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Mason Graham
Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham (55) celebrates a play against Ohio State during the second half at Ohio Stadium in Columbus

By Mike Farrell


1. Mason Graham, Michigan

6’3” 296 lbs.

2024 Stats: 45 tackles, 3.5 sacks. 

Mason Graham played in all 14 games and was named a Freshman All-American in 2022. As a sophomore, he had 35 tackles, three sacks, was , and second-team All-American. In 2024, he was again named first-team All-Big Ten and Unanimous All-American.

2. Walter Nolen, Mississippi

6’4” 296 lbs. 

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2024 Stats: 48 total tackles, 6.5 sacks.

Walter Nolen played two seasons at Texas A&M, where he played in 22 games with 14 starts. He had 66 tackles and five sacks in those seasons. Nolen transferred to Ole Miss in 2024. He was a first-team All-SEC selection and named a Consensus All-American for the Rebels.


Sep 28, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive linemen Walter Nolen (2) waits for the snap during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

3. Kenneth Grant, Michigan

6’4” 331 lbs. 

2024 Stats: 32 total tackles, 3 sacks.

Kenneth Grant appeared in all 14 games on defense and special teams as a freshman in 2022. He played in all 15 games in 2023, with five starts, 29 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and was named second-team All-Big Ten. Grant was named second-team All-Big Ten and third-team All-American in 2024.

4. Derrick Harmon, Oregon

6’4 1/2” 313 lbs. 

2024 Stats: 45 total tackles, 5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles.

Derrick Harmon spent three seasons at Michigan State, where he played in 28 games, starting 15 of those games. He had 71 tackles and 3.5 sacks for the Spartans before transferring to the Ducks. Harmon was named second-team All-Big Ten and third-team All-American in 2024.

5. Omarr Norman-Lott, Tennessee

6’2” 291 lbs. 

2024 Stats: 18 total tackles, 4 sacks.

After redshirting as a freshman in 2020, Omarr Norman-Lott played two more seasons at Arizona State. He would finish with 45 tackles and four sacks for the Sun Devils. In two seasons at Tennessee, he would total 44 tackles and 9.5 sacks (5.5 sacks in 2023).

6. Darius Alexander, Toledo

6’4” 305 lbs. 

2024 Stats: 40 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1 int.

Darius Alexander spent six seasons at Toledo. He played in 26 games from 2021-2022 with four starts and 42 tackles. In 2023, he started 11 games (36 tackles and 4 sacks) and was named third-team All-MAC. Alexander was named second-team All-MAC when he had 40 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

7. Tyleik Williams, Ohio State

6’3” 334 lbs. 

2024 Stats: 46 total tackles, 2.5 sacks.

From 2021-2022, Tyleik Williams played in 25 games, had 37 tackles, and six sacks. In 2023, he started 12 of the 13 games played, had 54 tackles, 3 sacks, and was named third-team All-Big Ten. Williams started all 12 games played in 2024 and was named third-team All-Big Ten.


Ohio State Buckeyes safety Sonny Styles (6) and defensive tackle Tyleik Williams (91) sacks Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) in the third quarter during the College Football Playoff championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.

8. TJ Sanders, South Carolina

6’4” 297 lbs. 

2024 Stats: 46 total tackles, 2.5 sacks.

After redshirting in 2021, TJ Sanders played in 12 games and had 16 sacks and one sack. He started seven of 12 games played in 2023 with 43 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Sanders started nine games and was named second-team All-SEC in 2024. He finished with 10.5 career sacks.

9. CJ West, Indiana

6’1” 316 lbs. 

2024 Stats: 42 total tackles, 2 sacks.

CJ West played four seasons at Kent State. In three seasons, he started 35 games and had 10.5 sacks. He was named third-team All-MAC in 2023 before transferring to Indiana. West started 10 of 13 games in 2024 and was an honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference.

10. Alfred Collins, Texas

6’6” 332 lbs. 

2024 Stats: 55 total tackles, 1 sack.

Alfred Collins played five seasons at Texas. From 2020-2023, he played in 48 games, had 86 tackles, and six sacks with 12 starts. In 2024, he started all 16 games and had 55 tackles for the Longhorns. Collins was named first-team All-SEC and second-team AP All-American.


Category: DraftTag: Alfred Collins, CJ West, Darius Alexander, Derrick Harmon, Indiana, Kenneth Grant, Mason Graham, Michigan, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Omarr Norman-Lott, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, TJ Sanders, Toledo, Tyleik Williams, Walter Nolen
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