The wait is over—our preseason Big 12 position rankings are back as we gear up for the 2025 college football season, and we’re starting in the trenches with the defensive line. As always, the four of us—Caleb, Craig, Matt, and Zack—submitted our individual rankings, and we tallied the results using a 16-point weighted system: each No. 1 vote is worth 16 points, No. 2 gets 15, and so on down to one point for the lowest-ranked team. This system gives us a composite score for each program, and the final rankings reflect the average across all four ballots. At the bottom of this page, you’ll find the full list of rankings along with how each of us voted.
While we were all over the map on a few teams, there were some clear consensus picks—none more unanimous than Texas Tech at No. 1. The Red Raiders made a massive leap after reloading their entire defensive line through the transfer portal, and we all agreed they now have the top unit in the conference. We also had strong alignment on Cincinnati and Arizona State, who landed in each of our top fives thanks to returning stars like Dontay Corleone and C.J. Fite. On the flip side, teams like Oklahoma State, Utah, and Kansas State stirred up plenty of disagreement, with votes scattered across the middle and bottom tiers. And in two cases, our scoring system led to a tie—BYU and Kansas landed even at No. 6, while Oklahoma State and Utah share the No. 13 spot. Scroll down to check out where your team landed and who each of us is highest—and lowest—on heading into the fall.
Heartland Sports Consensus Big 12 Defensive Line Rankings
| RANKING | POINTS |
|---|---|
| 1. Texas Tech | 64 |
| 2. Arizona State | 54 |
| 3. Cincinnati | 46 |
| 4. TCU | 42 |
| 5. Kansas State | 40 |
| 6. BYU | 39 |
| 6. Kansas | 39 |
| 8. Baylor | 32 |
| 9. Iowa State | 29 |
| 10. Colorado | 27 |
| 11. Houston | 26 |
| 12. West Virginia | 24 |
| 13. Oklahoma State | 23 |
| 13. Utah | 23 |
| 15. UCF | 22 |
| 16. Arizona | 14 |
Individual Rankings
Caleb
1.Texas Tech | The Red Raiders brought in arguably the best transfer portal class this offseason, and their defensive line was definitely one of the biggest if not the biggest beneficiary.
2. Kansas State | KSU has become one of those schools who always seems to have a star D-lineman, and this season is no exception. The interior of the K-State defensive line, which is led by multi-year contributors Damian Ilalio and Uso Seumalo who should give opposing teams trouble.
3. Arizona State | ASU could easily be the best team in the big 12, their D-line will definitely be a big reason. Lead by C.J Fite who finished 2nd team all Big 12 last season, look for him to be one of the best if not the best players on the field.
4. TCU
5. ISU
6. Baylor
7.BYU
8. Colorado
9. Arizona
10. Houston
11.UCF
12.Kansas
13. Cincinnati
14. Houston
15. WVU | WVU had one of the worst defenses in the Big 12 last season and didn’t bring in anyone who turns heads on the D-line
16. OSU | The Cowboys didn’t do much on the football field last year, they brought in a new Defensive coach but I don’t expect them to have a big jump this season.
Craig
1. Texas Tech | The Red Raiders acquired an entire new defensive line through the portal and they might have built one of the best units in college football in doing so. Lee Hunter transferred in from UCF and will immediately make an impact on this defense. With over 100 total tackles in his career, Hunter will look to have his best season yet with the Red Raiders.
2. Cincinnati | The Bearcats will have one of the most experienced lines in the Big 12. They’ll have two starters returning including Dontay Corleone who is likely the best defensive tackle in the nation.
3. Oklahoma State | The Cowboys will also have an experienced defensive line in 2025. The Pokes will be returning 3 guys who played significant snaps a year ago. All signs are pointing to Mike Gundy’s crew having a solid pass rush this season.
4. Arizona State
5. Kansas
6. TCU
7. Colorado
8. West Virginia
9. Houston
10. UCF
11. Kansas State
12. BYU
13. Arizona
14. Utah
15. Baylor | The Bears show some promise at the DL position in 2025, but they are very unproven. Baylor will rely on incoming recruits to try to improve at the position.
16. Iowa State | The Cyclones ranked towards the bottom of the conference last year in sacks. Unfortunately, they didn’t do much through the portal to improve on the defensive line.
Matt
1. Texas Tech | Texas Tech’s defense underwent a dramatic transformation over the offseason after finishing the 2024 campaign as one of the worst units in the country. The Red Raiders gave up more than 460 yards and nearly 35 points per game, ranking near the bottom nationally in both categories. Recognizing the urgent need for change, the coaching staff made the defensive front a top priority in the transfer portal, landing standout additions like David Bailey, Romello Height, Lee Hunter, and Skyler Gill-Howard. All four are expected to start and have already elevated expectations heading into 2025. The overhaul has paid off early, with Texas Tech’s defensive line now being recognized as one of the best in the nation—earning a No. 3 ranking from PFF College. With that kind of turnaround, the defensive front is set to be the engine behind any success the Red Raiders hope to achieve this season.
2. Cincinnati | The Bearcats enter the 2025 season with renewed confidence in its defensive line, anchored by the return of All-Big 12 tackle Dontay Corleone, a dominant presence known as “The Godfather.” After an inconsistent pass rush hampered the unit last year, the Bearcats are counting on a healthier rotation with Mikah Coleman and Jalen Hunt back from injury, along with newcomer Jaylon White-McClain adding explosiveness off the edge. The coaching staff has emphasized getting their top athletes on the field and building depth across the line, creating a foundation for noticeable improvement. With a mix of proven talent and fresh contributors, Cincinnati’s defensive front is poised to play a much larger role in the team’s success this fall.
3. Arizona State | Arizona State enters the 2025 season riding a wave of momentum after nearly doubling its win total from the previous two years and emerging as a favorite to repeat as Big 12 champions. While the offense boasts top-end talent like Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson, the defense could be the true difference-maker, especially along the defensive line. Senior Elijah O’Neal returns after a productive 2024 season, posting four sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss, and is expected to take on a larger role thanks to an extra year of eligibility granted to junior college transfers. Alongside O’Neal, the Sun Devils feature All-Big 12 standout C.J. Fite and experienced contributors like Zac Swanson, Prince Dorbah, and Clayton Smith, giving defensive coordinator Brian Ward a versatile and deep front. With improved pass-rushing potential and continuity up front, Arizona State’s defensive line is poised to help elevate the defense and keep the team in the conference title mix.
4. Utah
5. Kansas
6. Baylor
7. BYU
8. TCU
9. Houston
10. West Virginia
11. Oklahoma State
12. Iowa State
13. Kansas State
14. Colorado
15. UCF | UCF’s defensive line enters the 2025 season as one of the team’s most experienced and promising units, thanks to a strong mix of returning talent and key transfers. Edge rushers Malachi Lawrence and Nyjalik Kelly are back after combining for more than half of the team’s sacks last year, giving the Knights a reliable pass-rushing duo. The interior gets a major boost with the return of John Walker from injury, filling a crucial gap left by the departures of Ricky Barber and Lee Hunter. Transfers like Horace Lockett Jr. from Georgia Tech and R.J. Jackson Jr. from Tulsa add depth and size up front, while Sincere Edwards brings additional versatility. With added depth, health, and production, UCF’s defensive line has the tools to be a major strength in 2025.
16. Arizona | Arizona’s defensive line in 2025 is built around returning standout Tre Smith, who led the team in sacks and tackles for loss last season while also finishing fourth in total tackles. Smith brings speed off the edge at 259 pounds and should remain a key part of the Wildcats’ pass rush. Opposite him, veteran Dominic Lolesio is joined by transfer additions Chancellor Owens (Northwestern State) and Malachi Bailey (Alcorn State), the latter of whom arrives with an impressive 27 career sacks. The interior gets a boost from the portal as well, with former Wildcat Tiaoalii Savea returning after a year at Texas, and Deshawn McKnight (UT Martin) adding power and pass-rushing ability to the rotation. Altogether, Arizona’s defensive line is deeper, more experienced, and ready to take a step forward this fall.
Zack
1. Texas Tech | The Red Raiders should be considered to have the most talented defensive line in the Big 12. They’re getting national attention as a unit, and it’s because they are bringing in four transfers—all seniors—to help turn around a pretty poor rush defense from last season. Lee Hunter, who spent the last two seasons at UCF, is considered one of the top interior defensive linemen in the country, and David Bailey, who comes to Lubbock from Stanford, might be the most NFL-ready defensive lineman of a group that appears destined to be playing on Sundays.
2. Kansas State | The Wildcats are known for their consistent pass rush, and this season should be no different. Seniors Cody Stufflebean and Damian Lilalio return after starting all last season, and Chiddi Obiazor enters with some playing experience, but he has a big role to fill as he takes the place of last season’s Defensive Lineman of the Year Brendan Mott.
3. BYU | The Cougars were a big surprise in the Big 12 last season, and their defense was a big reason. Logan Lutui is the most experienced player in this group, and Bodie Schoonover and John Taumoepeau return after contributing heavily last season. Add transfer Keanu Tanuvasa to the group, and BYU’s defensive line should anchor yet another great team defense.
4. Arizona State
5. Cincinnati
6. Iowa State
7. Kansas
8. TCU
9. Baylor
10. UCF
11. West Virginia
12. Colorado
13. Utah
14. Houston
15. Oklahoma State | The Cowboys had the worst rush defense of the season last year, and while they should definitely see improvement in 2025, I have to see it to believe it.
16. Arizona | The Wildcats also had a pretty bad rush defense last season, and I’m not confident they did enough in the offseason to improve much.
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