The ACC’s Best Returning Defensive Linemen in 2026. We continue our best returning players’ series with a look at the ACC’s top defensive linemen.
Miami’s magical three-game run to the national championship proved that the ACC can produce elite talent in the trenches, as seen with the pair of Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor. With significant talent returning up front in the conference, we made sure to make an honorable mention list before ranking our top four returnees.
The ACC’s Best Returning Defensive Linemen in 2026
Honorable Mention
- Langston Hardy (6′-4″, 250): Hardy earned Honorable Mention All-ACC recognition for Wake Forest after producing at a high level in 2025. An elite run defender with nice length and athleticism, Hardy ranked 12th nationally with 1.31 TFLs per game. For an edge rusher who lines up in an odd technique, piling up 67 tackles along with seven sacks is an impressive feat.
- Melkart Abou-Jaoude (6′-5″, 260): Abou-Jaoude turned in one of the best seasons by a UNC defender in program history, totaling 47 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 12 TFLs, and five QB hurries. His 10.5 sacks led the ACC and highlight his upside as a pass rusher. The former Delaware transfer flashed game-wrecking ability, tallying a game-high six tackles with 2.5 TFLs, two sacks and a forced fumble in a win against Syracuse.
- Mandrell Desir (6′-4″, 270): Desir made a splash in his first season at Florida State, being named a Freshman All-American and runner-up for ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. In 12 games, Desir recorded 30 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, and 6.5 sacks. Because of his length, defensive coordinator Tony White moved him around along the defensive front, allowing him to be free in pass-rushing situations and run defense. He enters 2026 with high expectations.
The Top Four
(4) Justin Scott, Miami
Justin Scott flashed legit upside last fall and proved he could become a household name in the ACC. Scott brings an NFL-ready frame to the table and solid production, racking up 26 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, and one sack as Miami rolled to the national championship game. A shifty pass rusher who pops on film, Scott needs to have a breakout season in terms of production to climb higher up this list.
(3) Will Heldt, Clemson
Will Heldt possesses impressive length for an edge rusher at 6-foot-6 and has all the pass-rushing skills to have another strong season in 2026. Heldt led the Tigers in both sacks (7.5) and TFLs (15.5) last fall, becoming one of only 14 players nationally to reach ten TFLs and five sacks in each of the 2024 and 2025 seasons. One of the more underrated aspects of his game is his processing, as he reads the opposition at a high level and breaks on the ball fast. A Third-Team All-ACC selection in 2025, Heldt will anchor the Tigers’ defensive front next season.
(2) Ahmad Moten, Miami
Ahmad Moten joins teammate Justin Scott to form one of the better defensive tackle tandems in the country. For a defensive tackle of his size (6-3, 325), his get-off is top-notch, allowing him to be disruptive in both run defense and pass-rush situations. Last season, Moten totaled 31 tackles, nine TFLs, and 4.5 sacks. His vicious hands and powerful bull rush played a huge role in his pass-rush win rate being at 16.2%. If he has a good season in 2026, Moten is projected to be the No. 1 or No. 2 defensive tackle in next year’s draft class.
(1) Clev Lubin, Louisville
Clev Lubin is a super disruptive edge rusher who ranks as the top returning defensive lineman in the ACC. His PFF grades were excellent last season, as he earned a 91.4 defensive grade, including a 92.7 pass-rush grade. The numbers back up his disruptive play style; he recorded 8.5 sacks, 13.5 TFLs, and 64 pressures in 2025. Lubin does an excellent job of diagnosing and shutting down different offensive sets, allowing him to play fast and free.
Main Image: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
