Ranking the Top 5 Big Ten interior DL for 2026 football season
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Michigan fans know all about what dominant defensive line play can do for a defense. The Wolverines have built their identity around it for years, and while there are still some unanswered questions entering 2026, there is no shortage of intrigue in Ann Arbor. Guys like Enow Etta and Jonah Lea’ea give Michigan a pair of experienced interior pieces, while Trey Pierce remains one of the more fascinating upside bets in the conference.
Unfortunately for Michigan, some of the biggest names in the Big Ten reside elsewhere. Oregon and Ohio State both boast loaded defensive tackle rooms, while Indiana returns one of the nation’s most disruptive interior defenders.
With that in mind, here’s our ranking of the five best interior defensive linemen in the Big Ten heading into the 2026 season.
5. Eddrick Houston, Ohio State
Houston flashed major potential throughout the 2025 season. Despite not being a full-time starter, he still finished with 21 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble while earning All-Big Ten honorable mention. The former five-star recruit has all the physical tools coaches dream about. He’s explosive, powerful, and still has room to grow as a technician. What makes him so dangerous is his best football is likely still ahead of him. If he takes the expected sophomore-to-junior leap, he could easily finish the season higher than fifth on this list.
4. James Smith, Ohio State
It pains me to admit it, but Ohio State once again has plenty of talent in the trenches.
Smith arrives from Alabama with extensive SEC experience and immediately steps into a major role. While replacing a player like Kayden McDonald won’t be easy, Smith has all the tools necessary to become one of the league’s top interior defenders. The veteran defensive tackle started 12 games for Alabama a season ago and tied for second on the team in tackles for loss. He also brings valuable leadership to a defensive front undergoing transition.
3. Bear Alexander, Oregon
Few players in college football have taken a more winding path than Bear Alexander. After stops at Georgia and USC, Alexander finally seemed to find his footing in Oregon’s defense last season. The former five-star recruit put together his most complete campaign, recording 50 tackles while showcasing the physical traits that made him one of the most coveted defensive prospects in the country. His production jumped significantly, particularly against the run, where he consistently flashed the ability to shed blocks and make plays in the backfield.
What makes him even more dangerous is offenses can’t focus solely on him because of the next guy on this list.
2. A’Mauri Washington, Oregon
Washington flirted with the NFL before ultimately returning to Eugene, and Oregon’s defense is significantly better because of it. At 6-foot-3 and roughly 330 pounds, Washington is the type of interior presence offensive coordinators spend all week trying to account for. Double teams are the kinds of things you see a lot of when he’s on the field.
What separates Washington from many defensive tackles is his athleticism. He moves remarkably well for his size and consistently impacts both the run and pass game. His eight pass breakups led all FBS defensive linemen last season, and it’s easy to see why he’s viewed as one of the conference’s premier defenders.
1. Tyrique Tucker, Indiana
If you’re building an All-Big Ten defensive line from scratch, Tucker is probably the first interior player selected.
The former James Madison standout has become the latest example of Curt Cignetti’s ability to identify and develop talent. Tucker was a force throughout Indiana’s national championship run, earning first-team All-Big Ten and third-team AP All-American honors while establishing himself as one of the country’s most complete defensive tackles.
Tucker’s seven sacks and 30 quarterback pressures from 2025 are eye-popping for an interior defender, and his ability to consistently collapse pockets created problems all over college football last season. There are bigger names nationally, but few defensive tackles in college football affect games as consistently as Tucker.
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