The success of any college football team starts up on the line as both the offensive and defensive lines have the potential to excel the team’s success on that side of the football. One of those defensive positions that is key while helping both the defensive edge rushers and linebackers thrive while also shutting down the running lines up the middle is the defensive tackle position. One of those talented defensive tackles is Mason Graham of the Michigan Wolverines who lands atop the Top 10 College Football Defensive Tackles 2024 Rankings list.

Graham, who elected to skip the Wolverines ReliaQuest Bowl game against the Alabama Crimson Tide is one of the many talented defensive tackles making the jump to the NFL.

The six-foot three-inch defensive lineman played a huge role in the Wolverines overall success both as a team as well as defensively over the past few seasons. Joining Graham among the best defensive tackles in college football is Walter Nolan of the Ole Miss Rebels, Ohio State of the Buckeyes Tyleik Williams, Devone O’Malley of the Northern Illinois Huskies as well as Graham’s teammate Kenneth Grant.

Here is a look at the Top 10 College Football Defensive Tackles 2024-2025 Rankings:

Honorable Mention

Derrick Harmon

School: Oregon Ducks

NFL Draft Status: 2025 NFL Draft

Just missing the Top 10 College Football Defensive Tackles 2024 Rankings list is the Oregon Ducks senior defensive tackle Derrick Harmon.

Harmon, who will be entering the 2025 NFL Draft ranked among the leaders at the defensive tackle all season long while helping the Ducks to the Big Ten Championship and a trip to the 2025 College Football Playoffs.

The six foot-five 310 defensive lineman posted a career high 45 tackles and five sacks in his only season with the Ducks after starting his career with the Michigan State Spartans. In addition to those numbers Harmon posted two passes defended and forced two fumbles to help earn Second-Team All-Big Ten honors.

Omarr Norman-Lott

School: Tennessee Volunteers

NFL Draft Status: 

Another talented defensive tackle who is just as good as nearly every defensive tackle in college football this past season is the Tennessee Volunteers Omarr Norman-Lott.

The six-foot three-inch interior defensive lineman posted his second straight season with at least four sacks while also registering 18 total tackles for a Volunteers team that ranked among the top defensive teams in the country.

Overall, the Volunteers allowed just 103.7 rushing yards per game, 293 yards of total offense and just 16.1 points per game. The Volunteers star defender is just one of the many talented defensive tackles who will make the jump to the NFL for the 2025 NFL season.

Top 10 Best Defensive Tackles in College Football 2024-2025 Rankings

10. JJ Pegues

School: Ole Miss Rebels

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

Sliding in at number 10 on the Top 10 College Football Defensive Tackles 2024 Rankings list is the Ole Miss Rebels star defensive tackle JJ Pegues. Pegues capped off a stellar four-year career while posting at least 40 tackles in back-to-back season to go along with 3.5 sacks.

The three-year returning starter for the Rebels final season with the team included 3.5 sacks and 42 total tackles. Pegues was a key star on the defensive side of the football while helping the Rebels finish the season leading the nation in fewest number of rushing yards allowed (80.5) and third fewest numbers of points scored (14.4).

While it doesn’t help his status as a defender Pegues was a touchdown machine running the ball in his final season as well posting seven rushing touchdowns helping him to showcase his athleticism, speed, and skillset.

9. Simeon Barrow Jr.

School: Miami Hurricanes

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

In his only season with the Miami Hurricanes, Simeon Barrow Jr was as dominate as any defensive tackle in college football using his strength and length to dominate up front.

The six-foot three-inch 290-pound defensive tackle helped the Hurricanes remain in contention for the 2025 College Football Playoffs all season. Barrow Jr who started his career with the Michigan State Spartans turned in a final season that included 30 tackles, 5.5 sacks, one passes defended, and one forced fumble.

The strong play earned the Hurricanes defensive tackle First-Team All-ACC Honors while also putting him on the map among defensive lineman leading into the 2025 NFL Draft Combine and the 2025 NFL Draft.

8. Deone Walker

School: Kentucky Wildcats

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

Another talented defensive tackle electing forgo his senior season is the Kentucky Wildcats stud interior defensive lineman Deone Walker. Walker, who made a huge name for himself during his sophomore season entered the 2024-2025 College Football season having opposing teams focusing on limiting him up front.

While his sack total dropped from 7.5 sacks last season to 1.5 sacks this season, his presence in the middle of the field allowed his Wildcats teammates more opportunities to make plays.

Walker also added 37 total tackles over the course of the season helping him to earn his third selection to the Second-Team All-SEC team. Now Walker will have the opportunity to shine at the next level while being one of the top defensive linemen entering the 2025 NFL Draft.

7. Aeneas Peebles

School: Virginia Tech Hokies

NFL Draft Status: 

When you start to look around the success on the defensive side of football in game films among the best defensive tackles in all of college football Aeneas Peebles is one of those players that stands out from the opening play to the final play.

Peebles, who elected to return for a fifth year and transfer into the Virginia Tech Hokies after spending his first four seasons with the Duke Blue Devils was as advertised while taking home First-Team All-ACC honors in his only season with the Hokies.

Despite being undersized at just 290 pounds, Peebles used his athleticism, length and power to be a force up front while posting three sacks, 30 total tackles, and three passes defended.

6. Ty Robinson

School: Nebraska Cornhuskers

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

Possibly one of the best under the radar defensive tackles in college football, Ty Robinson showcased his talents on the defensive line while raising his draft stock for the 2025 NFL Draft.

Robinson who played his entire five-year career with the Cornhuskers turned in a dominant season taking home Third-Team All-Big Ten honors while also being invited to the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Over the course of his final season with the Cornhuskers, Robinson posted a career high seven sacks and 37 tackles including posting four tackles and one sack in the team’s 20-15 win over the Boston College Eagles in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl.

5. Devonte O’Malley

School: Northern Illinois Huskies 

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

Rounding out the Top 5 on the Top 10 College Football Defensive Tackles 2024 Rankings list is the Northern Illinois Huskies defensive tackle Devonte O’Malley. The senior defensive tackle capped off a stellar four-year season with the Huskies including posting 128 career tackles, four forced fumbles and eight sacks.

While O’Malley may go under the radar compared to the big four conference stars, it is hard to look past the havoc he forced up front all season. The six-foot two-inch defensive star led all defensive tackles with eight sacks while also forcing one fumble while helping the Huskies allow just 284.6 yards of offense and 18.5 points per game.

O’Malley strong success has him moving up the NFL draft boards while earning honorable mention All-American honors as well as a First-Team All-MAC selection.

4. Tyleik Williams

School: Ohio State Buckeyes

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

One team that had a ton of success on the defensive side of the football while rolling through the 2024-2025 College Football season as well as the College Football playoff is the Ohio State Buckeyes.

One of those key defensive stars is Tyleik Williams at the defensive tackle position who has been a force up front while forcing opposing offensive lineman to double team him as much as possible.

Ultimately his momentum and the success up front has helped the Buckeyes allow the fewest number of yards in all of college football at just 251.1 yards per game, fewest number of passing yards per game (161.1), fewest number of points per game (12.2) and third fewest number of rushing yards per game (89.9).

The decision to return for his senior season has paid off for both Williams and the Buckeyes as the team is set to play for the National Championship. The star defensive tackle posted 42 tackles to go with one pass defended and 2.5 sacks in his final season earning him Third-Team All-Big Ten honors.

3. Kenneth Grant

School: Michigan Wolverines

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

Coming off a strong previous two seasons, the Michigan Wolverines are losing a long list of stars to the NFL Draft for the second straight season. One of those players is Kenneth Grant who has formed one of the top duos at the defensive tackle position alongside Mason Graham.

Grant, like his teammate, elected to skip the team’s key bowl win over the Alabama Crimson Tide to turn his attention towards the 2025 NFL Combine and the NFL Draft.

He capped off his junior season posting a career high in total tackles with 32 and passes defended with five while also posting three sacks up the middle. With Grant and Graham up the middle the Wolverines ranked among the top overall defenses in college football.

2. Walter Nolen

School: Ole Miss Rebels

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

Coming in just behind Mason Graham among the best defensive tackles in all of college football is former Ole Miss Rebels standout Walter Nolen. Nolan, who started his first two seasons with the Texas A&M Aggies made a successful transition to the Rebels while solidifying the team’s entire defense.

The Rebels finished up the 2024-2025 NCAA Football season allowing the third fewest numbers of points in the country at 14.4 points per game while also allowing the second fewest number of rushing yards (80.5) in the country.

Leading that charge was the six-foot three-inch Nolen who posted a career high 48 tackles and 6.5 sacks to go along with two passes defended en route to earning First-Team All-American and First-Team All-SEC honors. Now Nolen is expected to be a potential first round pick during the 2025 NFL Draft.

1. Mason Graham

School: Michigan Wolverines

NFL Draft Status:  NFL Draft

In at number one on the Top 10 College Football Defensive Tackles 2024 Rankings list is the Michigan Wolverines defensive tackle Mason Graham.

Graham wrapped up a three-year playing career for the Wolverines while taking home a long list of accolades including being named a unanimous All-American and First-Team All-Ben Ten for his play on the field during the 2024-2025 NCAA Football season.

Graham who was also a key force in the team’s National Championship last season elected to skip the Wolverines ReliaQuest Bowl game this season posted 46 tackles across the season to go along with 3.5 sacks and one pass defended.

In addition to helping the Wolverines allow just 19.9 points per game, Graham was named as a finalist for both the Bronko Nagurski and Outland Trophy.

How would you rank the Best Defensive Tackles in College Football for the 2024-2025 season? Rank below to be added in the NCAA Power Rankings.

Sunday Umoh

Sunday Umoh is the visionary founder and CEO of Fan Rankings LLC, a platform that merges sports passion with technology to create an engaging and interactive space for fans worldwide. With a background in Information Science and Systems and experience as a Software Engineer, Umoh has built a brand that blends analytical insights with emotional connection, offering unique coverage of Football, Basketball, MMA, and Boxing. A graduate of Morgan State University and a former collegiate Track and Field athlete, Umoh previously gained attention for his impactful Washington Wizards blog, fireerniegrunfeld.com. His journey exemplifies how technology can amplify sports fandom, with Fan Rankings setting a new standard in sports media, providing a community for fans to connect, debate, and celebrate their favorite teams and athletes.

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