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If there’s one thing that’s separated the Big 12 from the SEC and the Big Ten, it’s been defensive line play - outside of Texas Tech and Brigham Young.
One reason Tech and BYU dominated the conference last season was because of the play of their front seven. Both teams return key contributors from last season and should have two of the best defensive lines in the country for 2026.
TCU is another team hoping to have one of the league’s best defensive lines after returning every starter from last season.
For the Big 12 to continue to gain legitimacy on the national level, the entire conference needs to produce stronger defensive lines.
The Star-Telegram continues its Big 12 preview with a look at the top defensive lines in the conference:
⚡ Big 12 preseason power rankings:
→Quarterbacks: Where does TCU's transfer rank?
→Running backs: How high can TCU's Jeremy Payne climb?
→Wide receivers: How good is TCU's Jordan Dwyer?
→Tight ends: Can TCU crack the top 10?
→Offensive line: TCU making big push up front
→Defensive line: Texas Tech, BYU dominate
Defensive line
1. Texas Tech
Key players: A.J. Holmes, Trey White
Breakdown: The Red Raiders had the best defense in the Big 12 thanks to a defensive line that was anchored by No. 2 overall NFL draft pick David Bailey. Bailey’s gone, but the Red Raiders return A.J. Holmes, who was voted preseason Defensive Player of the Year. White was brought in from San Diego State to replace Bailey after being one of the top edge rushers at the Group of Five level.
2. BYU
Key players: Keanu Tanuvasa, Bodie Schoonover, Justin Kirkland
Breakdown: The Cougars ranked second in rushing defense and top-five in sacks while having the second-best defense in the conference. The Cougars return 76% of their defensive line snaps from last season, ranking in the top five in the country. Tanuvasa leads the unit and earned preseason All-Big 12 honors. Schoonover leads a deep and experienced rotation at defensive end.
3. Arizona State
Key players: C.J. Fite, Clayton Smith
Breakdown: Injuries on offense masked how solid the Sun Devils were up front last season. Arizona State ranked fourth in run defense and second in sacks produced with an aggressive defensive line led by Fite. Fite earned preseason All-Big 12 honors and is entering his fourth season in Tempe. Smith has played over 1,400 snaps the last two seasons and is expected to have a breakout year.
4. TCU
Key players: Markis Deal, Ansel Din-Mbuh, Zach Chapman
Breakdown: There’s not a team nationally that returns more production up front than TCU, which brought back its entire defensive line rotation. It went under the radar due to TCU needing a new quarterback and offensive coordinator, but the return of so many pieces could lead to the Horned Frogs being a dark horse. TCU ranked fifth in run defense. Deal and Chapman are two standouts, while Din-Mbuh and Paul Oyewale are experienced veterans.
5. Houston
Key players: Khalil Laufau, Brandon Mack
Breakdown: The Cougars will enter 2026 with a strong mix of returning players and key transfer portal additions. Mack was second on the team with five sacks last season, while Laufau was the most productive interior defensive linemen with 35 tackles and two sacks. Houston is also bringing in Ashton Porter from Oregon and Ejiro Egodogbare from Yale.
6. Arizona
Key players: Leroy Palu, Mays Pese, Julian Savaiinaea
Breakdown: The Wildcats made a significant jump last season, ranking second in fewest yards allowed per game. The defensive line wasn’t flashy, but it got the job done most outings. Palu is the lone returning starter from last season, but he was a rock in the middle. Pese, Savaiinaea and Tre Smith are a trio of players the Wildcats have high hopes for this season as well.
7. West Virginia
Key players: Zeke Durham-Campbell, KJ Henson, Nate Gabriel
Breakdown: The Mountaineers struggled on defense last season, but were actually solid against the run. West Virginia ranked seventh in rushing defense and returns Gabriel to anchor the middle. Durham-Campbell was the biggest portal addition after being voted All-Sun Belt at Coastal Carolina last season.
8. Central Florida
Top players: Horace Lockett Jr., Sincere Edwards, Isaiah Nixon
Breakdown: The Knights were quietly one of the more underrated units in the Big 12 last season, ranking top five in yards allowed per game. Lockett appeared in just four games last season, but was arguably the team’s best interior linemen. RJ Jackson is another returner inside.
At edge, the Knights need to replace two NFL departures, and that’s where Nixon and Edwards come into the mix.
9. Kansas State
Top players: Wendell Gregory, Austin Ramsey, Elijah Hill
Breakdown: The Wildcats had a disappointing showing up front last season, but are hoping a rebuilt unit will bounce back. Gregory was the biggest prize from the transfer portal after being voted Defensive Freshman of the Year after a standout season at Oklahoma State. Gregory could be a star, but he’ll need more support for the Wildcats to improve.
10. Oklahoma State
Top players: Jaleel Johnson, Braylon Rigsby, James Williams
Breakdown: Defense remains the biggest question mark for the rebuilt Cowboys, who loaded up on offensive transfers that could be All-Big 12 contributors. Defensively, Oklahoma State believes its defensive line may be an early strength with experienced players like Johnson back and transfers like Rigsby and Williams.
Best of the rest
11. Kansas
12. Colorado
13. Baylor
14. Utah
15. Cincinnati
16. Iowa State
