Power ranking all 18 Big Ten defensive lines from worst to first

The Big Ten Conference is classically known for its trench play on both sides of the football. While some conferences, like the recently disbanded Pac-12, are or were defined by high-flying passing offenses, Big Ten games are often decided by the team that wins the battle up front.

On one side, we recently ranked every Big Ten offensive line entering the 2025 season. It should be no surprise that the projected top teams in the conference all figure to have a top-tier group of blockers.

Now, to counter that group, we’re turning our focus to each team’s defensive front four. Ohio State’s front captured headlines last season. The top group of Jack Sawyer, Ty Hamilton, Tyleik Williams and J.T. Tuimoloau played an integral role in the team’s national title run. It wasn’t a surprise when all four were selected during the NFL draft — Williams in the first round, Tuimoloau in the second, Sawyer in the fourth and Hamilton in the fifth.

The Buckeyes are tasked with reloading the room for 2025. While the program’s talent base is as good as any in the nation, a question surrounds how exactly that front group will mesh together. It’s arguably the team’s biggest unknown entering the season.

Position Previews: Defense — Offense — Quarterbacks — Running Backs— Wide Receivers — Tight Ends — Offensive Line

With the Buckeyes set to take a minor step backward, which teams project to be the Big Ten’s best along the defensive line? Here is our full preseason ranking.

18. Purdue Boilermakers

Starters: DE C.J. Madden, DT Jamarrion Harkless, DT T.J. Lindsey (transfer), DE Trey Smith

Purdue’s defense allowed 5.1 yards per rush attempt and tallied just 22 total sacks in 2024. Madden, Smith and Harkless all played depth roles on that group, combining for just 15 total tackles. Purdue fans hope that a new coach and a new culture lead to…

Source link : https://badgerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/badgers/football/2025/07/19/big-ten-football-defensive-line-rankings-2025/85263665007/

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Publish date : 2025-07-19 10:30:00

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