Rivals Camp Series: Ranking the best defensive linemen
The 2024 Rivals Camp Series regional stops are finished and the Rivals Five-Star is on the horizon so this week, we are taking a position-by-position look at which prospects impressed us the most at the regional events this year. The defensive linemen are up next.
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CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | State
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1. Javion Hilson (FSU commit)
DE Javion Hilson, No. 19 in the 2025 Rivals250, put on a clinic at the Rivals Camp Series stop in Miami. The Florida State verbal is explosive off the line with fantastic feet and showcased a nasty counter move this off-season that kept offensive tackles on the left and right side both without answers.
Hilson flies off the edge and moves very easily. The Cocoa (Fla.) blue-chipper is the No. 1 player from the Sunshine State and is a key cog in the Seminoles' 2025 class.
Texas has emerged as another team to watch in this recruitment.
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2. Jahkeem Stewart
Jahkeem Stewart, the nation's top-ranked prospect in the class of 2026, was a force across the defensive line at RCS Dallas. The Louisiana defensive lineman moves unfairly at 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds. Stewart, who took snaps against both tackles and guards, saw similar results against both.
His explosive first step and combination of speed and power was too much to contain for opposing linemen. Stewart showed range – taking snaps from a two-point stance and also inside at tackle – and furthered his resume as one of the most physically gifted prospects in America.
LSU is battling Ohio State, USC and Oregon for the five-star DL.
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3. Daverin "Deuce" Geralds
DT Daverin Geralds, No. 28 in the 2026 Rivals250, could not be contained at the RCS stop in Atlanta. The Suwanee (Ga.) Collins Hill four-star interior lineman has NFL bloodlines and it showed with devastating first-step quickness and an elite-level motor inside as a pass-rusher.
Geralds, affectionately known as "Deuce," also possesses strong hands and arms and plays downhill in a big way.
Auburn, LSU and Ole Miss are some SEC programs in the thick of this race.
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4. Aiden Harris
DE Aiden Harris passed the eye test in a big way at RCS Charlotte. The 6-foot-4, 250-pounder went to work inside and also off the edge overpowering opposing tackles and also using his hands well with an array of pass-rush moves to win.
Harris is long – with a 79.5-inch wingspan – and his blend of length and power was devastating in use from multiple spots across the front.
Georgia, Oregon and Ohio State are all in play here.
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5. Ethan Utley (Tennessee commit)
Tennessee four-star DE commitment Ethan Utley popped in a big way during RCS Indianapolis. Utley carries 275 pounds extremely well for a pass-rusher who thrives off the edge.
During camp, the future Vol out of Nashville (Tenn.) Ensworth High showcased an array of different pass-rush moves and was extremely twitchy and forceful working inside and out. He plays downhill and flies around the bend.
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6. James "Tank" Carrington
DT James Carrington was a force working off the edge during RCS Los Angeles. The 6-foot-3, 270-pounder from Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman plays downhill and has strong hands, and was really impressive jumping off the ball and also bending around the edge in L.A.
The No. 2 defensive tackle in next year's recruiting cycle, Carrington is position versatile and pops in a big way.
Florida State is battling Oregon and a few others for Carrington, also affectionately known as "Tank."
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7. Zion Grady
DE Zion Grady was right in the thick of the MVP discussion after turning heads with his performance at RCS Atlanta. One of the nation's best out of the Yellowhammer State was firing off the line from a two-point stance and multiple spots up front with his hand in the dirt.
He plays downhill at 100 mph with an array of different pass-rush moves at his disposal. Grady is twitchy and position-versatile, and in this setting, was consistently forcing the issue.
Florida State, Miami and Auburn have all hosted Grady for official visits in June. Tennessee and Ohio State are next up.
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8. Zion Elee
DE Zion Elee was a sight to be seen at RCS Charlotte. One of the top pass-rushers in next year's cycle out of Joppa (Md.) Joppatowne High, Elee checks off a ton of critical boxes in terms of frame (6-foot-3, 220 pounds), length (80-inch wingspan) and get-off. Elee showcased that explosive first step from a two-point stance and also with a hand in the dirt.
He changes direction with ease and is sudden, making it look seamless for the EDGE defender.
Penn State just had Elee on campus. Alabama and Ohio State will get him in town next.
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9. Josiah Sharma
Rivals250 DT Josiah Sharma was a stock-up performer after showing out at RCS LA earlier this spring. Sharma is every bit of 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds with the frame and build to command attention in the middle of the defensive line.
The No. 12 DT out of Folsom (Calif.) moves well for his size and has good body control. He used his immense power to his advantage against guards and centers.
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10. Dylan Berymon
After turning heads as a powerful interior pass-rusher at RCS Dallas, Dylan Berymon made the leap into the Rivals250 for the 2026 class. Berymon, who hails from Monroe (La.) Ouachita in North Louisiana, is a massive bull in the middle of the defensive front.
At 6-foot-2 and 300 pounds, Berymon fires off the ball and plays low. He's constantly causing problems behind the line of scrimmage, forcing the issue with a very physical play style.
Oregon, Texas and LSU headline the early favorites for the bull-dozing DT from The Boot.
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RIVALS CAMP SERIES REGIONAL COVERAGE
RIVALS CAMP SERIES LOS ANGELES: DB/LB Rumor Mill | RB vs. LB | Commitment predictions | WR vs. DB Part 2 | WR vs. DB Part 1 | OL/DL Rumor Mill | Five-star RB Jordon Davison updates recruitment | Latest on Brady Smigiel | Tyler Parker interview | Podcast | Programs that should be pleased | OL vs. DL Part 2 | OL vs. DL Part 1 | Rankings impact | Nebraska and UCLA vying for Iamaleava | WR/TE Rumor Mill | RB Rumor Mill | Top Plays | QB Rumor Mill | Top plays | Gorney's Takeaways | Stars shine at the Rivals Camp Series in Los Angeles | Top performers from the Rivals Combine Series in Los Angeles
RIVALS CAMP SERIES MIAMI: RBs vs. LBs | Commitment predictions | LB/DB Rumor Mill | Max Buchanan talks latest | WR vs. DB Part I | OL vs. DL Part II | Programs that should be pleased | Action photos | OL/DL Rumor Mill | OL vs. DL Part I | Ten more impressive prospects | How RCS Miami will impact rankings | Top plays | QB Rumor Mill | RB Rumor Mill | WR/TE Rumor Mill | Garcia's takeaways | Position MVPs | Garcia & Friedman break down camp | Marcus Harris interview | Hylton Stubbs interview | Vernell Brown III interview | Winston Watkins interview | Floyd Boucard interview | Ziyare Addison interview | Javion Hilson interview | Wilnerson Telemaque interview | Davion Davis interview | Loaded camp impresses analysts | Top Combine performers
RIVALS CAMP SERIES CHARLOTTE: Commitment predictions | RB vs. LB | WR vs. DB | LB/DB Rumor Mill | OL vs. DL | Five programs that should be pleased | Clinton Portis interview | OL/DL Rumor Mill | How Sunday will impact rankings | NFL legends flock to RCS Charlotte | WR/TE Rumor Mill | RB Rumor Mill | QB Rumor Mill | Friedman's Takeaways | Position MVPs | Top plays | Bryce Baker interview | Thomas Davis Jr. interview | Blake Woodby interview | Savion Hiter interview | Malik Washington interview | Aiden Harris interview | Darius Gray interview | Jayvon McFadden interview | Zion Elee interview | Top performers from the Rivals Combine Series
RIVALS CAMP SERIES ATLANTA: Commitment predictions | LB/DB Rumor Mill | Teams that should be pleased | OL vs. DL Part 2 | OL vs. DL Part 1 | Bryce Perry-Wright interview | RB vs. LB | OL/DL Rumor Mill | WR vs. DB Part 2 | WR vs. DB Part 1 | Tyler Atkinson interview | How Sunday will impact the rankings | WR/TE Rumor Mill | RB Rumor Mill | QB Rumor Mill | Breaking down Julian Lewis' performance | Garcia's Takeaways | Position MVPs | Christian Garrett interview | Julian Lewis interview | Darrell Johnson interview | Top performers from the Rivals Combine Series
RIVALS CAMP SERIES DALLAS: Commitment predictions | WRs vs. DBs | RBs vs. LBs | Drew Evers interview | LB/DB Rumor Mill | Five programs that should be pleased | How Sunday will impact the rankings | Osborne interview | Reyes interview | OL vs. DL | OL vs. DL Part 2 | OL/DL Rumor Mill | WR Rumor Mill | RB Rumor Mill | QB Rumor Mill | Top plays | Levenson's takeaways | Position MVPs | Jahkeem Stewart interview | Taz Williams Jr. interview | Top performers from the Rivals Combine Series
RIVALS CAMP SERIES INDIANAPOLIS: Commitment predictions for top players | LB/DB Rumor Mill | OL vs. DL | WRs vs. DBs | RBs/TEs vs. LBs | Action photos | Programs that should be pleased | OL/DL Rumor Mill | Best Plays | WR/TE Rumor Mill | RB Rumor Mill | QB Rumor Mill | Smith's takeaways | Position MVPs | Tavien St. Clair interview | Adam Guthrie interview | Top performers at the Rivals Combine Series
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