The Rivals250 for the 2026 class has been updated and now it’s time to break down each position. We move to the defensive linemen by looking at four big storylines moving forward.
NEW 2026 POSITION RANKINGS: Pro-Style QB | Dual-Threat QB | RB | All-Purpose RB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C | DT | Weakside DE | Strongside DE | Inside LB | Outside LB | CB | S | Athlete
RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK
Sunday: Who should be No. 1?
Monday: Five-Star Countdown | Latest recruiting buzz on top 2026 prospects | Meet the new five-stars
Tuesday: New Rivals250 released | Biggest Risers | Position-by-position breakdown
Wednesday: Offensive position rankings released | QB spotlight | RB spotlight | WR/TE spotlight | OL spotlight
Thursday: Defensive position rankings released
Friday: State rankings released
WELCOME TO THE CLUB
Defensive linemen are always well-represented in the Rivals250 and some of the more notable new entries deserve a bit more recognition. Khamari Brooks was the biggest riser regardless of position. The defensive end/edge defender from Georgia has an elite skill set and now finds himself at No. 69 in the Rivals250. The unique blend of size, strength and quickness defensive tackle Tico Crittendon brings to the field helped him debut in the Rivals250 at No. 105.
Defensive end Nolan Wilson is making his first appearance in the Rivals250 at No. 156 but that may not be high enough. The Mississippi native is an animal coming off the edge and he has the strength and size to move inside.
Another defensive lineman who might be ranked too low is James Johnson. The defensive tackle out of Florida has an outstanding motor, does a great job using his hands and packs a huge punch. Getting verified measurables on him could propel him further up the rankings.
THE NEXT FIVE-STAR
Anthony Jones out of Alabama is the only one five-star defensive lineman right now and there will be more joining him in that exclusive club. Who might be next?
Jordan Carter and Aiden Harris are right on the cusp of earning their fifth star. Each of them have the tools and production to make a solid case for a bump up. Defensive tackle Deuce Geralds isn’t a massive prospect but he is so strong, so quick and has such good technique that he can beat pretty much any offensive lineman he comes across.
Defensive end Zion Elee just moved into the top 25 and it isn’t hard to see him as a five-star prospect down the road. He is one of the most explosive edge rushers in this class and has immense untapped potential.
Richard Anderson is coming off a dominant performance in the Louisiana state title game. The 6-foot-4 defensive tackle is pushing 315 pounds. He can eat up blockers in the middle of the defense but he can also fill up the stat sheet. Learning more about his game this offseason could go a long way.
There are other defensive linemen outside the top 25 of the Rivals250 who could find themselves in the five-star discussion down the road. Tristian Givens, Tico Crittendon, Jamarion Carlton and Nolan Wilson have already made a strong impression.
RECORD-SETTING YEAR IN GEORGIA
Georgia is one of the best football hotbeds in the country but this class could do something that has never been done. There are so many talented defensive linemen in the Peach State that every college in the nation sends coaches to recruit the state. Right now there are 11 defensive linemen from Georgia in the Rivals250, which, if that number holds until the end of the rankings cycle, would be the most ever.
The current record for the state of Georgia is nine, which was set by the 2015 class that featured Trenton Thompson, Natrez Patrick, Jonathan Ledbetter, D’Andre Walker, Chauncey Rivers and others.
The 2026 class, with Jordan Carter, Deuce Geralds, Bryce Perry-Wright, Camron Brooks, Tristan Givens, Khamari Brooks, Tico Crittendon, Katrell Webb, Zakir Abdul-Salaam, James Morrow and Carter Luckie is set to give 2015 a run for its money.
WILL THE EARLY COMMITMENTS LAST?
Players have been announcing their commitments earlier than the class before them and the 2026 class is no different. There are currently 24 defensive linemen who have already committed to a program. Jordan Carter (Texas A&M), Zion Elee (Maryland), Richard Anderson (LSU), Braeden Jones (USC), Hezekiah Harris (Auburn), Tony Cumberland (Oregon), Tomuhini Topui (Oregon) and Viliami Moala (Oregon) are all in the Rivals250 and have committed.
Oregon boasts an elite group of defensive line commits. To go along with their three Rivals250 commitments (Cumberland, Topui and Moala), the Ducks also hold pledges from four-stars Dutch Horisk and Bott Mulitalo.
Out of the group of 24 current defensive line commitments, there are plenty that have been seriously considering other teams. For many of them, the early commitment should instead be considered their first commitment.
