The Big XII has been regarded in the past as not having teams with reliable defenses. Within the past few years, that mentality has shifted with defenses being more aggressive in the conference. The defensive line remained a position group that has been respected in the Big XII. The star defensive linemen in the conference come in all sizes and range from the interior to edge rushers. This past April, Texas Tech edge rusher Tyree Wilson found himself selected seventh overall by the Las Vegas Raiders. These five defensive linemen have the talent and potential to become the next star for the Big XII.
Big XII’s Top Defensive Lineman Returning in 2023
#5 DE Tyler Batty (BYU) – The Raw Project at BYU
Senior defensive end Tyler Batty remains a project that can become an elite player in his position group. Batty is a defensive end that can play on the strong side as well as playing three-technique. In his three seasons at BYU, Batty has accumulated 108 total tackles, 62 solo tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery. In his first season as a full-time starter last year, Batty accounted for 52 total tackles, 29 solo tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, and one forced fumble. Despite his tendency of standing up too high, he doesn’t get pushed back at the line of scrimmage. Batty can maneuver into the backfield with speed and athleticism.
#4 – EDGE Tre’Mon Morris-Brash (UCF) – The Best New Defensive Lineman Coming into the Big 12
The Knights will rely on the leadership and the experience of fifth-year edge rusher Tre’Mon Morris-Brash. In his five years at UCF, Morris-Brash has accumulated 125 total tackles, 75 solo tackles, 37 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, one interception, five pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble. This past season was his most impactful season for the Knights accounting for 52 total tackles, 28 solo tackles, 13 tackles for loss, six sacks, four pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries. He possesses a great combination of strength and agility to overpower the offensive tackle and get to the quarterback. Morris-Brash can play a two-technique end or at a three-technique in the strong side.
#3 – DT Gabe Hall (Baylor) – The Freak in the Big XII
The Baylor Bears have seen a recent trend of big-bodied defensive linemen. Two players that come to mind are Shawn Oakman and nose tackle Siaki Ika. Gabe Hall is the leader of the Bears’ tenacious defensive line for the upcoming 2023 college football season. Hall is a fifth-year senior and a multi-year starter for the defense. In the four years Hall has played for the Bears, Hall has accounted for 60 total tackles, 32 solo tackles, 31 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, two pass deflections, one fumble recovery, and one forced fumble. This past season, Hall has accounted for 37 total tackles, 17 solo tackles, two pass deflections, and a fumble recovery. At 6-6; 296 pounds, Hall possesses a quick get-off and speed to get his gap to get into the backfield. Hall possesses the attributes to be picked for the 2024 NFL Draft and is a steal if still undervalued.
#2 – DT T’Vondre Sweat (Texas) – The Monster in the Interior
The Texas Longhorns have a history of big-bodied defensive linemen. Fifth-year senior T’Vondre Sweat is the next big line of impact players from the interior defensive line. In his four years at Texas, Sweat has accumulated 82 total tackles, 29 solo tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, nine pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble. This past season was Sweat’s best season accounting for 30 total tackles, 10 solo tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and four pass breakups. At 6-4; 355 pounds, Sweat is a monster in the middle of the Longhorns’ defense. Sweat possesses surprising athleticism, agility, the ability to remain strong at the line of scrimmage, and finally, the ability to spot the ball carrier.
#1 – EDGE Collin Oliver (Oklahoma State) – The Most Experienced Defensive Linemen
Oklahoma State Cowboys edge rusher Collin Oliver was among the defensive linemen from the Big XII that made an impact the moment they arrived on campus. It would be no surprise that he would make an impact, but his first two seasons were impressive. In his last two seasons, Oliver accumulated 57 total tackles, 39 solo tackles, 23 tackles for loss, and 15.5 sacks. As a result of his two impactful seasons, Oliver became a two-time second-team All-Big XII. He possesses an explosive get-off at the snap of the football as well as speed, motor, and athleticism to potentially beat the opposing offensive linemen in passing or running plays. Like Tyree Wilson, Oliver could see a boost to his NFL Draft stock with an explosive junior season.
