As we hit the preview portion of the 2023 FCS offseason, HERO Sports will rank the top returning players by position group.
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 players and teams they should keep an eye on.
Here are the top returning defensive linemen in 2023.
These rankings are formed by a combination of the author’s opinion/FCS knowledge (watching guys play, knowing what system they play in, strength of opponents, etc.), on-field production, pro potential, postseason accolades, how they perform against their toughest opponents, and PFF grades.
Best Returning FCS Defensive Linemen
40. Ben Brewton, Chattanooga (DE)
39. Eloi Kwete, Northern Arizona (DE)
38. Chase McGowan, Delaware (DE)
37. Jesus Gibbs, Towson (DT)
36. Zach Kennedy, UC Davis (DE)
35. Solomon Zubairu, Mercer (DE)
34. Zareon Hayes, Alabama A&M (DE)
33. Jonathan Hammond, Davidson (DE)
32. Chubba Maae, UC Davis (DT)
31. Marlem Louis, Richmond (DE)
30. Sundiata Anderson, Grambling State (DE)
29. Jett Stanley, Sacramento State (DT)
28. Malachi Bailey, Alcorn State (DE)
27. Clay Patterson, Yale (DE)
26. Will Buck, San Diego (DT)
25. Brandon Roberts, Merrimack (DT)
24. Brody Grebe, Montana State (DE)
23. Jeblonski Green, South Carolina State (DT)
22. Perry Ganci, Nicholls (DE)
21. Steven Parker, Incarnate Word (DE)
20. Dylan Wudke, Youngstown State (DE)
19. Finn Claypool, Drake (DE)
18. Khristian Boyd, Northern Iowa (DT)
17. Logan Jessup, Central Arkansas (DE)
16. Eric O’Neill, LIU (DE)
15. Kamari Stephens, Florida A&M (DE)
14. Ryan Van Marel, South Dakota State (DT)
13. Daylan Dotson, UT Martin (DE)
12. Terrell Allen, Tennessee State (DT)
11. Alex Gubner, Montana (DT)
10. Dylan Ruiz, New Hampshire (DE)
9. Elijah Williams, Morgan State (DE)
8. Sebastian Valdez, Montana State (DT)
7. Eli Mostaert, North Dakota State (DT)
6. Jay Person, Chattanooga (DE)
The Top 5
5. Ty French, Gardner-Webb (DE)
French has had an illustrious career dating back to the 2020-21 season. Named the Big South Defensive Freshman of the Year and a Freshman All-American, he recorded 35 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and four sacks in only four games. In the 2021 fall, French racked up 61 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, and 8.5 sacks, earning First Team All-Conference and Sophomore All-American accolades. Last season, the 6-foot-3, 230-pounder totaled 75 tackles, 16 TFLs, 12.5 sacks, and 15 quarterback hurries. French earned a few different All-American honors, was named the Big South Defensive Player of the Year, and finished sixth in voting for the Buck Buchanan Award.
4. Thor Griffith, Harvard (DT)
Griffith is as strong as they come on the interior defensive line, manhandling offensive linemen 1-on-1 or blowing up double teams. The 6-foot-2, 305-pounder’s incredible strength in the weight room translates to dominating on the football field. A 2021 Freshman All-American and a Third Team All-Ivy League selection, Griffith totaled 31 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, and five sacks. Last season as an All-Conference First Teamer, he tallied 46 tackles, 12 TFLs, five sacks, and three QB hurries. Griffith’s overall PFF defensive grade of 90.5 was No. 1 among FCS interior DL, and his 92.6 run defense grade also topped the subdivision.
3. Nate Lynn, William & Mary (DE)
Along with OLB John Pius, W&M has two of the most disruptive defenders in the FCS. Lynn emerged on the national scene in 2021, totaling 52 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, 12 sacks, two passes defended, and six forced fumbles. He finished ninth in voting for the Buck Buchanan Award while garnering accolades like First Team All-CAA and five different All-American teams. Last season, the 6-foot-3, 255-pounder repeated as an All-Conference First Team selection while picking up a couple more All-American honors. Lynn recorded 61 tackles, 13 TFLs, eight sacks, four forced fumbles, and 11 QB hurries.
2. Josiah Silver, New Hampshire (DE)
Silver and Dylan Ruiz (No. 10 above) form an elite DE duo. Silver is only two full seasons into his college career, but he has already put himself in the conversation as the best edge player in the FCS. He is a two-time All-CAA First Team selection, the 2021 CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year, a Freshman and a Sophomore All-American, and an All-FCS All-American from outlets like Stats Perform, Phil Steele, and the AP. In 2021, Silver became a breakout star with 80 tackles, 20.5 TFLs, 12.5 sacks, and six forced fumbles. Last season, the 6-foot-2 and 243-pounder totaled 55 tackles, 17.5 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and four quarterback hurries.
1. David Walker, Central Arkansas (DE)
Walker was an absolute force last season after transferring to UCA from D2 Southern Arkansas University. The 6-foot-3, 265-pound sophomore could not be contained, racking up 66 tackles, 22 TFLs, 12 sacks, and three quarterback hurries. Walker received plenty of postseason recognition, including seven different All-American honors, the ASUN Defensive Player of the Year, and finishing third in the Buck Buchanan Award voting. Walker’s production and awards were backed by his PFF grades, ranking No. 1 among FCS edge defenders in overall defense (92.9) and run defense (91.9), while his pass rush grade of 91.5 was No. 4.
RELATED: Top 25 Returning FCS Running Backs
RELATED: Top 25 Returning FCS Quarterbacks
RELATED: Top 25 Returning FCS Tight Ends
RELATED: Top 25 Returning FCS Wide Receivers
RELATED: Top 25 Returning FCS Offensive Linemen
RELATED: Top 25 Returning FCS Linebackers
RELATED: Top 40 Returning FCS Defensive Linemen
RELATED: Top 50 Returning FCS Defensive Backs
