College football’s 20 best defensive tackles of 2026
Indiana defensive tackle Tyrique Tucker (95) lines up before a play against Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game Saturday December 6, 2025 at Lucas Oil Stadium. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
What they do on the field doesn’t jump out on stat sheets.
However, defensive tackles and nose guards handle all of the blue-collar work from the interior. These huge space-eating, hole-clogging, brick walls eat ball carriers for breakfast, and dominate in the trenches. They’re the first line of contact, and the last to emerge from the pile-up.
These 20 studs were often double-teamed last season, but held their own in the trenches, and are prepared to pick up from where they left off.
20. A’Mauri Washington, Oregon: The Detroit native had a breakout campaign with the Ducks last season, and started all 15 games. Washington was an animal along the interior, who clogged up holes, and often required two blockers. He even tied for fifth on the team in tackles for loss. Washington capped off the year with third-team, All-Big Ten honors. The former four-star prospect posted five tackles, including three solo and one for loss against Montana State. Washington also generated five stops in the win at Penn State. Not to mention he tallied three tackles, including one for loss and a sack in the regular-season clash against Indiana. Washington recorded four tackles apiece against USC and Wisconsin.
19. Devan Thompkins, Alabama: The Californian was a productive defender for USC over the past two seasons. Thompkins showed he can be disruptive, and racked up 55 tackles during that span. He tallied six tackles, including three solo in the win over Michigan State. Thompkins generated four stops, including three solo at Illinois. The 6-foot-5, 298-pounder posted four solo tackles, and two sacks in the victory over Michigan, which were all season-highs. The redshirt senior brings instant credibility to Alabama’s defensive line. After all, the Crimson Tide ranked eighth in the SEC, and 37th in the FBS against the run. Thompkins has the experience, and production to improve the defense in that department.
18. Ezra Christensen, Colorado: The former Juco racked up 42 stops, and led New Mexico State in tackles for loss and sacks last season. Christensen even earned first-team, All-CUSA honors for his heroics in the trenches. He posted six tackles, including three for loss and two sacks against Tulsa. Christensen also had six stops, including two for loss and a sack against Sam Houston. The California native generated five tackles, including four solo, two for loss and two sacks at Liberty. Christensen also had five stops apiece against Bryant, New Mexico, and Kennesaw State. The 6-foot-2, 280-pounder should make an instant splash on a Colorado defense that ranked 133rd in the FBS against the run in 2025.
17. Jonah Lea’ea, Michigan: The former three-star prospect spent the past three seasons at Utah, where he was solid along the interior. Lea’ea had a breakout campaign last year, in which he started 12 games, and finished eighth on the Utes in tackles. He posted a season-high, nine tackles, including four solo in the victory at West Virginia. Lea’ea also tallied four solo tackles apiece against Texas Tech, and Colorado. Not to mention Lea’ea had four stops in wins over Wyoming and Nebraska. The 6-foot-5, 285-pounder generated three solo tackles, and made Bear Bachmeier eat grass at BYU. After following Coach Kyle Whittingham to Ann Arbor, Lea’ea brings credibility to the Wolverines’ defensive line.
16. Daevin Hobbs, Tennessee: The North Carolina native takes care of business in the trenches, and in the classroom. Hobbs is a two-time, SEC Academic Honor Roll performer, who has 50 tackles with the Volunteers over the past two seasons. He ranked third on the team in sacks last year. Hobbs posted five tackles, including one for loss, a sack, and forced a fumble against Arkansas. The former four-star prospect also tallied five stops against Oklahoma. His nine tackles, including five solo in the win over New Mexico State were all season-highs. Hobbs generated three tackles, including one for loss and put the quarterback to the turf at Florida. The 6-foot-4, 290-pounder will be a force to be reckoned with.
15. Talan Carter, Vanderbilt: The former three-star prospect is coming off two productive campaigns with Jacksonville State. After all, Carter racked up 82 tackles during that span, including 56 in 2025. He ranked second on the Gamecock in tackles for loss, and fifth in stops. Carter capped off the year with second-team, All-CUSA honors. His seven solo tackles in the win over Western Kentucky were a season-high. The Mississippi native posted seven tackles at Southern Miss. Carter generated six stops at UTEP. The 6-foot-1, 280-pounder also had six tackles, including five solo against Kennesaw State. Carter recorded five solo stops against Florida International, and a sack in the C-USA Championship Game.
14. CJ Mims, Texas A&M: The former three-star prospect put in a lot of work with North Carolina last season. Mims was productive, and his 42 tackles ranked sixth on the Tar Heels. He posted four tackles, and forced a fumble against Richmond. Mims tallied three solo stops at UCF. The 6-foot-2, 300-pounder tallied five tackles, including one for loss and made the quarterback eat grass against Clemson. Mims also generated five stops apiece in road games at Wake Forest and NC State. The North Carolina native recorded four tackles, including one for loss and put the quarterback to the turf against Virginia. Mims is physical, and disruptive, so his skills should bode him well for a smooth transition to the SEC.
13. James Smith, Ohio State: The former four-star prospect is a certified veteran along the interior, and has spent the past three seasons at Alabama. Smith stockpiled 48 tackles over the last two years. Not to mention he started 12 games in 2025, and tied for second on the Crimson Tide in tackles for loss. Smith posted seven stops, and put the quarterback to the turf against Tennessee. The Alabama native tallied four solo tackles, including three for loss in the win over Louisiana Monroe. The 6-foot-2, 314-pounder even made the quarterback eat grass in the victory over Auburn. Smith’s experience, production and leadership should help him make an immediate impact on the Buckeyes’ defensive line.
12. Hero Kanu, Texas: The former Ohio State Buckeye is molding into a high-caliber defensive lineman in the SEC. Kanu is a massive, space-eating machine too, standing 6-foot-5, and weighing 321 pounds. He made an immediate splash with the Longhorns’ defense last season, and helped them finish 14th nationally against the run. Kanu tallied three tackles, including two for loss, and put the quarterback to the turf against UTEP. The Germany native posted a season-high, six stops at Florida. Kanu generated four tackles, including one for loss and made the quarterback eat grass in the victory at Mississippi State. Not to mention Kanu made three stops apiece in wins over Kentucky and Vanderbilt.
11. Khalil Laufau, Houston: The Utah native is an animal along the interior, and often requires two blockers to keep him from penetrating the backfield. Laufau started 12 games for the Cougars last season, and racked up 39 tackles. He tallied four stops, including three solo, one for loss and a sack against Colorado. His seven tackles at Oregon State were a season-high. Laufau generated six stops against West Virginia. The 6-foot-3, 290-pounder posted four tackles apiece against UCF, and Texas Tech. Laufau left a lasting impression with three stop, including two for loss and made the quarterback eat grass in the bowl game against LSU. He’s definitely due for an All-Big 12 campaign this fall.
10. Brendan Bett, Florida: After starting three games last season, and tallying 39 tackles, the redshirt junior is due for an All-SEC campaign this fall. Bett is very productive from the interior, and always finds a way to get to whoever has the ball. He posted five tackles , including one for loss, and put the quarterback to the turf at Ole Miss. Bett also made the quarterback eat grass against Mississippi State, and Florida State. The former three-star prospect made five stops, including three solo at Miami. Bett even recorded five stops against South Florida. His seven tackles at Texas A&M were a season-high. Not to mention Bett had three solo stops, including one for loss in the victory over LIU.
9. Blake Herold, Kansas: The Iowa native is due for an All-Big 12 campaign this fall after coming off two productive seasons with the Jayhawks. After all, Herold racked up 63 tackles during that span. Last year he finished sixth on the team in tackles, and 19 of those were solo. Herold posted four tackles, and forced a fumble at Missouri. The former three-star prospect also had four stops, including three solo at Texas Tech. Herold tallied seven tackles, including one for loss and recovered a fumble against West Virginia. The 6-foot-3, 292-pounder posted seven stops apiece against Iowa State, and Kansas State. Not to mention Herold generated five tackles, including one for loss and a sack against Cincinnati.
8. David Stone, Oklahoma: The former five-star prospect had a breakout season with the Sooners last year, and showed his value to the defense. Stone stockpiled 42 tackles, which ranked seventh on the team. He also finished sixth on Oklahoma in tackles for loss. Stone posted five tackles, including four solo, and made the quarterback eat grass against Auburn. The Oklahoma native also tallied four solo stops against Texas. Stone generated six tackles apiece in victories over Kent State, and Missouri. Not to mention Stone recorded four stops apiece in wins over Michigan, and Alabama. With his talent, production and experience, expect Stone to deliver an All-SEC campaign on the gridiron in 2026.
7. Alex VanSumeren, USC: The former four-star prospect has started every game for Michigan State over the past two seasons. VanSumeren is even a three-time, Academic All-Big Ten performer. He played 476 total snaps, generated 52 tackles, and delivered a breakout campaign with Michigan State in 2025. VanSumeren tallied six tackles apiece against USC, UCLA and Indiana. His eight stops against Penn State were a season-high. VanSumeren posted four solo tackles, including one for loss, and made the quarterback eat grass at Nebraska. Not to mention he generated five stops apiece against Western Michigan, and Michigan. VanSumeren playing alongside Jide Abasiri will be lethal for the Trojans.
6. Kemari Copeland, Virginia Tech: The former Juco, who started out his career at Army, has turned into an elite defender. Copeland started all 12 games for Virginia Tech last season. Not only did he lead the Hokies in sacks, but Copeland ranked second on the team in tackles for loss, and fifth in stops. He even capped off the year with third-team, All-ACC honors. Copeland recorded five tackles apiece, including one for loss against South Carolina, and Wofford. His seven tackles, including four solo, three for loss and three sacks in the win over California were all season-highs. The Virginia native had six stops against Miami. Copeland tallied four tackles, including one for loss against Louisville.
5. Bear Alexander, Oregon: The former four-star prospect played for Georgia and USC before he landed in Eugene. Alexander put together a monster campaign with Oregon last season. He started 12 games, and racked up 50 stops, which ranked sixth on the Ducks. Not to mention Alexander finished third on the team in tackles for loss. Alexander tallied five tackles apiece in wins over Oklahoma State, Northwestern, Penn State and Wisconsin. His six tackles, including two for loss against Indiana were season-highs. The Texas native generated four stops, including one for loss in the victory at Rutgers. Alexander, D’Antre Robinson and A’Mauri Washington gives Oregon an elite group along the interior.
4. Ahmad Moten, Miami: The redshirt senior is coming off a breakout season with the Hurricanes, and was a vital piece of their run to the National Championship Game. Moten started 14 contests, and stockpiled 31 tackles, including 20 solo. He ranked fourth on the team in tackles for loss, and sacks. Not to mention he earned second-team, All-ACC honors for his blue-collar work in the trenches. Moten posted three tackles, including one for loss and a sack in the win over Notre Dame. His five solo stops, including three for loss and two sacks in the victory at Virginia Tech were all season-highs. Moten also had a sack at Pittsburgh. The Florida native generated five tackles, including one for loss against Indiana.
3. AJ Holmes, Texas Tech: Last season he emerged from the shadows, started the final eight games, and finished strong down the stretch for the Big 12 Champs. Holmes racked up 38 tackles, including 19 solo. He ranked third on the Red Raiders in sacks, and fifth in tackles for loss. Holmes also capped off the year with first-team, AP All-Big 12, and second-team, AP All-America honors. The 6-foot-3, 300-pounder tallied five tackles, including two for loss, and put the quarterback to the turf against Kent State. Holmes made four stops, including two for loss, and two sacks in the victory over Kansas. The former three-star prospect also made the quarterback eat grass in the Big 12 Championship Game against BYU.
2. Tyrique Tucker, Indiana: The redshirt senior is one of the last few players remaining on the roster from Curt Cignietti’s 2023 James Madison squad. Tucker has 21 career starts, including all 16 games of the Hoosiers’ National Championship campaign. He ranked third on Indiana in sacks, and fourth in tackles for loss. Tucker even capped off the year with first-team, All-Big Ten, and third-team, AP All-America honors. The Virginia native also earned Academic All-Big Ten honors. His seven stops at Iowa were a season-high. Tucker posted four tackles, including two for loss and two sacks against Illinois. The former three-star prospect also recorded a sack against Indiana State, UCLA, and Penn State.
1. Will Echoles, Ole Miss: The former four-star prospect delivered a stellar campaign, and was a vital part of the Rebels’ run to the Playoff Semifinals last season. Echoles racked up a jaw-dropping, 68 tackles, which ranked fifth on Ole Miss. Not to mention he finished second on the team in sacks, and third in tackles for loss. Echoles posted six tackles, including four solo against Florida. He also made five stops apiece in the Playoffs against Tulane, and Miami. His eight stops during the regular season win over the Green Wave were a season-high. Echoles tallied five tackles, including one for loss and a sack against LSU. The 6-foot-3, 315-pounder also had a sack against Washington State, and Mississippi State.
Honorable Mention
CJ Fite, Arizona State: The 6-foot-2, 305-pounder has been a staple up front for the Sun Devils over the past two seasons. Fite has stockpiled 59 tackles, including 12.5 for loss and three sacks during that span. Expect an All-Big 12 campaign from Fite this fall.
Cody Sigler, Auburn: The Alabama native is coming off a productive season at Arkansas State. Sigler tallied 35 tackles, including seven for loss, and ranked third on the Red Wolves in sacks. He earned second-team, All-Sun Belt honors for his work in the trenches.
DJ Hicks, Texas A&M: The former five-star prospect tied for fourth on the Aggies in tackles for loss last season. Hicks tallied four tackles, including two for loss in the win at Notre Dame. He put the quarterback to the turf in victories over Auburn, Arkansas and LSU.
D’Antre Robinson, Oregon: The Florida native was active at North Carolina in 2025, and racked up 39 tackles. Robinson generated seven stops at Wake Forest, six at Charlotte and five against Duke. He posted three solo tackles, including one for loss against Clemson.
Zion Wilson, Virginia: The North Carolina native posted started all 13 games for ECU in 2025, and posted 42 stops. Wilson led the Pirates in tackles for loss, and sacks. He earned first-team, All-AAC for his breakout season, and will be a staple for Virginia up front.
