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.
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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
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
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
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.
