Top defensive lineman prospects in the 2026 Rivals Industry Rankings

What many of the nation’s top programs have in common on the recruiting front is their ability to consistently recruit blue-chippers on the defensive line. Having standout game-wreckers in the trenches is as crucial as ever.

Looking at the 2026 cycle, there’s a slew of top-notch D-linemen that are ready to make the jump to the college level. There are currently 40 blue-chip DL prospects in the cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. Of those 40, all but one are committed.

The December signing period is now seven weeks out. Below is a look at the top defensive linemen down the stretch in the 2026 cycle:

1. James Johnson — Texas commit

School:Northwestern (Fla.)
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 43 NATL.

Scouting Summary: “Well-rounded prospect with many positive indicators that make him the early favorite for the top defensive lineman in the 2026 cycle. Has a compact build at over 6-foot-2 and around 285 pounds. Owns compensatory length with arms that measure around 33.5 inches. Lives in the backfield on Friday nights. Uses first-step quickness to gain an early advantage on offensive linemen. Shows excellent power at the point of attack, uprooting offensive linemen and disengaging to find the football. Has the skill set to develop into a dangerous interior pass rusher. An elite finisher in the backfield. One of the most productive defensive linemen in the cycle on a per-game basis, racking up 29 tackles for loss in nine contests as a junior. Posted an elite 60-4.5 shot put mark as a junior. Does not have the most imposing frame, but one that is in line with many recent top draft picks at the position. Younger for the cycle, turning 17 years old in June before his senior season.”

2. Richard Anderson — LSU commit

School:Edna Karr (La.)
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 48 NATL.

Scouting Summary: “Explosive interior defensive lineman with immense power and ability to two-gap in the middle of the defensive front. Verified size at 6-foot-3.5, 355 pounds with over 33-inch arms and carries the weight very well. Great burst off the line of scrimmage for his size. Plays with excellent pad level and vision into the backfield. Understands leverage and sheds blocks with ease. Totaled 15 tackles-for-loss as a junior along with 10 sacks. Will need to to maintain quality combination of size and movement skills as he continues to physically develop. Older for the cycle. Projects as a space-eating, two-gap nose tackle at the next level but has the athletic ability to one-gap if needed.”

3. Nolan Wilson — Alabama commit

School:Picayune Memorial (Miss.)
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 62 NATL.

Wilson on his decision: “I feel like it’s a dynamic around Alabama,” he told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong. “I heard it a few times last year, people say ‘Bama is on the downfall having a 9-3 season. Even though that was a really good season, 9-3 is not bad, people saying that about ‘Bama means we’re in the back of their head, which means they’re scared of ‘Bama. If you have people fearing you that makes me want to go to ‘Bama even more.”

4. Jaimeon Winfield — USC commit

School:Richardson (Texas)
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 65 NATL.

Scout’s Take: “Jaimeon Winfield through the first couple of games, in our opinion, has the most dominant senior film of a D-lineman so far. That’s saying a lot, because there’s several that have gotten off to great starts. Winfield has really eye-popping first-step quickness, he’s in the backfield often times before the offensive linemen are even out of their stance. Uncanny snap timing, his ability to disrupt on the interior, he’s been dominant and is one that USC fans should be really excited about.”

5. Khary Wilder — Ohio State commit

School:Junipero Serra Gardena (Calif.)
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 74 NATL.

Scouting Summary: “Interior pass rushing demon with tremendous burst off the line of scrimmage and hip fluidity that plays with his hair on fire to chase down ball carriers. Verified 6-foot-4, 255 pounds with excellent length. Carries his weight very well for his size and should add substantial mass at the next level. Charged up athlete that possesses such explosive movements off the line and in space. Does a great job shooting his hands and keeping his chest clean when engaging with blockers. Has serious shock in his hands when punching blockers at the point of attack. Totaled 11 tackles-for-loss and 4.5 sacks as a junior. Will need to maintain his athletic ability as he adds significant mass to his frame. Should develop into a knifing 3-technique with phenomenal twitch and upfield burst that can stay on the field as a dominant pass rusher on third downs and excel as a stout run defender on early downs.”

6. Aiden Harris — South Carolina commit

School:Weddington (N.C.)
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 76 NATL.

About: Checking in at 6-foot-2.5 and 250 pounds, Harris committed to South Carolina alongside his twin brother, Andrew. They chose Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks over Auburn, Penn State, Ohio State and others. Aiden is now the second highest-ranked prospect in South Carolina’s 2026 class. He plays for one of the top high school football programs in North Carolina — Weddington is currently 7-1 this season.

7. Tony Cumberland — Oregon commit

School:Willamette (Ore.)
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 91 NATL.

Cumberland on Oregon: “They’re family. Talk to them at least two, three times a week,” he told Scoop Duck. Cumberland has now been committed to Oregon for over two years. “When we have players in I’ll go introduce myself. I’ve been committed for a while, so it’s basically like a second home. I’ve seen mostly everything. I’m just ready to get there and work.”

8. PJ Dean — Georgia commit

School:West Forsyth (N.C.)
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 92 NATL.

Scouting Summary: “Explosive jumbo athlete with blue-chip ability on either line of scrimmage. Measured at over 6-foot-3, 255 pounds, good length, and huge hands that measure over 10.5 inches. Cut over 50 pounds from his junior to senior year. Was considered an offensive line prospect until the offseason prior to his senior season. A super explosive straight-line athlete who runs extremely well in the combine setting. First-step quickness is readily evident in limited film on the defensive line. Has the strength in his hands to handle offensive linemen at the point of attack. Has limited experience on the defensive line, leading to murkiness in his evaluation and projection. How he takes to the position as a senior will be telling. After the weight cut, he may be more of a 5-technique at the next level. Younger brother of former Georgia center and 3rd round pick Jared Wilson. Young for the cycle, turning 17 years old in late June before his senior season.”

9. Deuce Geralds — LSU commit

School:Collins Hill (Ga.)
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 94 NATL.

Geralds on his decision: “With LSU it’s been my dream school growing up my whole life,” Geralds told Rivals. “I loved LSU since I was a little kid. It’s my hometown. I have family there. I just want to come back home and turn up Baton Rouge and the 225 and I want to be part of that … I’ve been wanting to be part of that since I was a little kid. To be part of it now is a blessing and dream come true.”

10. Titan Davis — Michigan commit

School:De Smet (Mo.)
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 106 NATL.

Davis on his decision: “I would probably say the main thing between Alabama and Michigan would probably be that the people at Alabama are great people. The people at Michigan are great people,” Davis told Rivals’ Greg Smith. “Just had to choose what was best for me at the end of the day so I honestly thought and prayed about it. I honestly want to say my gut just told me that I needed to be at Michigan.”