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FCS: Top 25 Returning Defensive Linemen In 2022

Sam Herder by Sam Herder
July 20, 2022
0
Top 25 Returning FCS DL In 2022

Chattanooga, FAMU, UNH Athletics

The Top 25s are coming in hot as the 2022 FCS season nears.

While what happens on the field and how things finish at the end of the season is what really matters, preseason rankings give fans an idea of what teams and players they should keep an eye on. In this summer series, we’ll take the Top 25 approach and rank the best returning players at every position.

Next up are the defensive linemen.

RELATED: FCS Jersey Countdown

Best Returning DL

Includes defensive tackles, defensive ends, and edge players

Honorable Mention: Bryant’s Jack Daly, Chattanooga’s Jay Person, Davidson’s Jonathan Hammond, Delaware State’s Isaiah Williams, Eastern Washington’s Mitchell Johnson, Grambling State’s Sundiata Anderson, Holy Cross’ Dan Kuznetsov, Illinois State’s Jason Lewan, Montana State’s Brody Grebe, Nicholls’ Perry Ganci, North Carolina A&T’s Jermaine McDaniel, Richmond’s Aidan Murray, Sacred Heart’s Kevin Peprah, Sam Houston’s Jevon Leon, Samford’s Seth Simmer, San Diego’s Will Buck, South Dakota’s Nick Gaes, South Dakota State’s Reece Winkelman, Weber State’s Doug Schiess, Wofford’s Micheal Mason, Yale’s Clay Patterson

25. KeShaun Moore, Hampton

24. Logan Jessup, Central Arkansas

23. Ty French, Gardner-Webb

22. Joshua Jerome, Eastern Washington

21. Terrell Allen, Tennessee State (Transfer from Austin Peay)

20. Kevin Ellis, Missouri State

19. Spencer Waege, North Dakota State

18. Francis Bemiy, Southern Utah

17. Jeblonski Green, South Carolina State

16. Uche Ndukwe, Princeton

15. Alex Gubner, Montana

14. Eli Mostaert, North Dakota State

13. Caleb Sanders, South Dakota State

12. Malik Hamm, Lafayette

11. Jordan Lewis, Southern

10. Eyabi Anoma, UT Martin

9. Jason Dumas, Southern (Transfer from Prairie View A&M)

8. Brevin Allen, Campbell

7. Nate Lynn, William & Mary

6. BJ Thompson, Stephen F. Austin

RELATED: Position Rankings Home Page

The Top 5

5. VJ Malo, Portland State

“ToO SmaLL” “ToO sHoRt” “TOo SLoW” “DonT LiFt eNouGH” … #GoViks pic.twitter.com/aSo4ee2LL8

— VJ Malo (@malo_ws) January 3, 2022

The Big Sky had plenty of disruptive players last year on defense, and Valo was right up there with other All-Americans. A transfer from Golden West College, the 6-foot-1 and 270-pound DT showed he was ready for a dominant season when he combined for five TFLs and 3.5 sacks in Portland State’s first two games against FBS opponents Hawaii and Washington State. Malo went on to finish the season with 45 tackles, 20 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles, getting named on the All-Big Sky Conference Second Team.

4. Titus Leo, Wagner

He's back! @LeoTitus10 is returning to Wagner for the 2022 season! pic.twitter.com/JEv8bbgiQB

— Wagner College Football (@Wagner_Football) June 9, 2022

Leo has been a dominant force as the back-to-back NEC Defensive Player of the Year. After a shortened spring season, the 6-foot-4 and 245-pounder absolutely went off last fall. Leo totaled 71 tackles, 18.5 TFLs, seven sacks, and three quarterback hurries. On top of his conference accolades, he earned All-American honors from HERO Sports (First Team), Stats Perform (Third Team), and Phil Steele (Third Team). He’ll be a graduate student this season, deciding to return for one more year with the Seahawks.

3. Josiah Silver, New Hampshire

Silver burst onto the scene as a standout freshman last year. The 6-foot-2, 234-pounder wreaked havoc on opposing offenses, racking up a team-high 80 tackles, 20.5 TFLs, 12.5 sacks, and six forced fumbles in 11 games. His 7.3 tackles per game were the most in the FCS for a non-LB or non-DB. He earned All-CAA First Team honors and was named the conference’s Defensive Rookie of the Year. Nationally, Silver had multiple All-American honors, including HERO Sports Second Team, HERO Sports Freshman, Stats Perform Third Team, and AP Second Team. He also finished third in the Jerry Rice Award voting for the best FCS freshman.

2. Devonnsha Maxwell, Chattanooga

𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐃𝐄𝐅𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊

🌟 @_Dmax92_

➟ School record 5.0 sacks
➟ 7 tackles (all solo)
➟ Forced fumble@FCS_STATS x #GoMocs pic.twitter.com/K7MROJUKEL

— Chattanooga Football (@GoMocsFB) October 18, 2021

Maxwell has had a long and decorated career for the Mocs. He was a HERO Sports Freshman All-American in 2018, a Sophomore All-American and a First Team All-SoCon selection in 2019, and an AFCA Second Team All-American and an All-Conference First Team pick in the spring season. Last fall was his most dominant year, totaling 42 tackles, 15.5 TFLs, 12 sacks, and five quarterback hurries in 11 games. The 6-foot-2, 296-pounder was named the SoCon’s Defensive Player of the Year and received multiple All-American honors, including Stats Perform First Team, Phil Steele First Team, HERO Sports Second Team, and AFCA Second Team.

1. Isaiah Land, Florida A&M

The 2021 Buck Buchanan Award winner tested the transfer portal this offseason. He received offers from the likes of LSU, Texas, Auburn, Kentucky, Georgia, UCF, and Memphis, but decided to stay at FAMU. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound NFL Draft prospect now eyes another dominant season in the FCS and the SWAC. Last year, he racked up an incredible 19 sacks and 25.5 TFLs. Land was named the SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and earned First Team All-American honors from HERO Sports, Stats Perform, Athlon, the AP, and the AFCA. He is ranked No. 1 on Josh Buchanan’s 2023 Top 100 Small School Prospects.

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