As we continue our “Best Returning” series, we now look at the Big 12 defensive linemen. The Big 12 conference is usually recognized more for the high-scoring offenses in the league. Many of the best teams from the conference have explosive offenses that can score quickly. In order to combat those offenses, teams need playmakers on defense, especially up front.
Here, we have our list of the best returning Big 12 defensive linemen.
Top Returning Big 12 Defensive Linemen
Honorable Mentions
To start, we want to acknowledge a few honorable mentions, starting with Baylor edge Ryan Davis. He transferred in the offseason to Waco, Texas, from Kansas State. Davis posted 11 total tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery with the Wildcats last season. Davis is expected to be an impact player for the Bears as they aim to put themselves firmly in the Big 12 title picture.
Staying in the state of Texas, TCU has a stout defensive tackle in Ansel Din-Mbuh. He recorded 24 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks in 2025. Din-Mbuh will be a key piece in the Horned Frogs finding success in 2026.
Our last honorable mention is Arizona State defensive end Clayton Smith. The fifth-year defensive lineman had an impressive showing in 2025. He finished the year with 19 total tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss. Smith also had four sacks, which tied for the ninth most in the Big 12. As if that wasn’t enough of a contribution, Smith got some time practicing with the wide receivers this spring, sparking talks of him being plugged into the position this season.
Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham has brought in some great talent for the Sun Devils. Smith is one part of a very solid defensive line group that Dillingham’s staff put together.
4. DT C.J. Fite – Arizona State
Another part of that Arizona State defensive line group, and the fourth player on our list, is defensive tackle C.J. Fite. The 305-pound defensive tackle has been an important part of the Sun Devils’ defense in all three years he’s been with the program. In his second year, Arizona State won the Big 12 championship. Fite now looks to finish his career with some more hardware in his fourth year.
He finished last season with 29 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble. He’s a headache for offenses to deal with in the run game. Fite’s ability to be a disruptor on the interior is what makes him one of the top defensive tackles in the Big 12.
3. DE Leroy Harris – Kansas
Taking the third spot on this year’s list is Kansas defensive end Leroy Harris. The 2025 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention is tough to stop off the edge.
He finished his 2025 season tied for the eighth-most sacks in the conference with 4.5. Harris also racked up 31 total tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss last season. The Jayhawks have had plenty of ups and downs over the last few years. But the consistency a player like Harris brings can be program-changing.
2. DE Wendell Gregory – Kansas State
Coming in at number two among the best returning Big 12 defensive linemen is Kansas State’s Wendell Gregory. He was previously at Oklahoma State, where he earned multiple honors for how well he played in his first full year of college football.
The Third-Team All-Big 12 selection had 27 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, and a forced fumble last year. Gregory finished the season tied for the ninth most sacks and having the fifth most tackles for loss in the conference. This led to Gregory being named the 2025 Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year.
He will have the opportunity to continue the momentum he built for himself in year one, this time wearing purple and silver.
1. DT AJ Holmes – Texas Tech
The number one best returning defensive lineman in the Big 12 is Texas Tech’s AJ Holmes. He was integral to the Red Raiders winning the Big 12 championship last year and earning a spot in the college football playoff.
Holmes finished last season with 38 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. He tied for the eighth most sacks in the Big 12. He also tied for the 10th most tackles for loss in the conference.
This earned Holmes Second-Team All-American honors from the Associated Press. He was also named Third-Team All-Big 12 and will look to add more to his resume in 2026.
