As we hit the preview portion of the 2025 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 which players and teams they should keep an eye on.
Here are the top returning defensive linemen in 2025.
NOTES:
- These rankings are formed by a combination of on-field production, postseason accolades, PFF grades, and the author’s opinion/FCS knowledge (watching games, knowing what system players are in, strength of opponents, etc.).
- FBS-to-FCS transfers will not be included.
- Top Returning FCS Quarterbacks
- Top Returning FCS Linebackers
- Top Returning FCS Offensive Linemen
- Top Returning FCS Running Backs
- Top 25 Returning FCS Tight Ends
- Top Returning Wide Receivers
- Top Returning Defensive Backs
Best Returning FCS Defensive Ends
25. Joe Mason, Nicholls
24. Marcus Howard, Austin Peay (transfer from Northern Colorado)
23. Malachi Cooper, San Diego
22. Gabe Stephens, Eastern Kentucky
21. Theron Gaines, Tennessee Tech
20. Kahmari Brown, Elon
19. DQ Watkins, LIU
18. Carter Szydlowski, Presbyterian
17. Hudson Tucker, Tennessee Tech
16. Donovan Parham, Idaho (transfer from MVSU)
15. Justin Townsend, Columbia
14. Rodney Faulk, Stony Brook
13. Aaron Austin, SFA
12. Cooper Blomstrom, Georgetown
11. Jack Dunkley, Duquesne
10. Camden Byrd, Richmond
9. Noah Miles, Howard
8. Kaghen Roach, Abilene Christian
7. Toby Anene, North Dakota State
6. Lando Brown, Southern Utah
5. Jacob Psyk, UC Davis (transfer from Harvard)
Psyk is a part of an impressive transfer class for UC Davis. The 6-foot-3 and 260-pounder was a 2024 All-Ivy League First Team selection and was graded as PFF’s No. 26 FCS edge defender. Psyk totaled 26 tackles, 11 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, and six QB hurries in 10 games. He was recognized on the FCS Football Central Preseason All-American Second Team.
4. Kenneth Eiden IV, Montana State
Eiden is primed for a massive senior season and enters 2025 on the FCS Football Central Preseason All-American First Team. He had a breakout 2024 campaign with a strong finish, recording a sack in each of the final seven games. On the season, the 6-foot-1 and 245-pounder had 32 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, nine sacks, and five quarterback hurries, earning All-Big Sky Honorable Mention accolades. He graded out as PFF’s No. 16 FCS edge defender.
3. Matt Spatny, Lehigh
Spatny has had a productive last two seasons at Lehigh and enters his senior season on the FCS Football Central Preseason All-American Second Team and the Stats Perform Preseason All-American First Team. In 2023, he totaled 40 tackles, eight TFLs, and five sacks. Last fall, the 6-foot-2 and 250-pounder registered 36 tackles, 11.5 sacks, and three quarterback hurries. Spatny was recognized on the All-Patriot League First Team.
2. Andrew Zock, Mercer
A preseason First Team All-American by FCS Football Central and Stats Perform, Zock is coming off a year where he was a huge part of Mercer’s standout d-line as just a true freshman. A 3-star recruit, he splashed immediately. The 6-foot-2 and 250-pounder totaled 38 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, seven sacks, 15 QB hurries, and two forced fumbles. Zock’s accolades included SoCon Freshman of the Year, All-SoCon Second Team, FCS Freshman All-American, and finishing No. 4 in the Jerry Rice Award voting.
1. Ckelby Givens, Southern
Another preseason First Team All-American by FCS Football Central and Stats Perform, Givens has been absolutely dominant in the last two seasons. He is a back-to-back All-SWAC First Team selection and a two-time All-American. In 2023, he racked up 61 tackles, 21 TFLs, and seven sacks. Last fall, the 6-foot-2 and 245-pounder tallied 73 tackles, 27.5 TFLs, 12 sacks, and 13 QB hurries. Givens was named the 2024 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and graded out as PFF’s No. 15 FCS edge defender.
RELATED: FCS Preseason Preview Central
Best Returning FCS Interior DL
25. Obinna Nwobodo, Villanova
24. Davin Dzidzienyo, William & Mary
23. Nasim Cairo, SEMO
22. Michael Otty, Bryant
21. Josh Barker, South Carolina State
20. Matt Herron, Weber State
19. John Mathis, UIW
18. Micah Carreon, Northern Arizona
17. Carter Janki, Penn
16. Claudy Robinson, Fordham
15. Ethan Rodriguez, Cal Poly
14. Ejiroghene Egodogbare, Yale
13. Mosai Newsom, South Dakota
12. TJ Burke, Lehigh
11. Brandon Maina, Wofford
10. Bradley Clark, Central Arkansas
9. Rasheed Lovelace, Nicholls
8. Jaxon Duttenhefer, North Dakota State
7. Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern Louisiana University
6. Kobe Clayborne, South Dakota State
5. Paul Brott, Montana State
Brott had a breakout 2024 season, recording 49 tackles, six TFLs, three sacks, and two quarterback hurries on the interior. PFF graded the 6-foot-3 and 290-pounder as the No. 32 FCS defensive tackle. Brott, a Montana native, earned All-Big Sky Second Team accolades. He enters this fall on the FCS Football Central Preseason All-American Second Team and the Stats Perform Preseason All-American Second Team.
4. Jake Anderson, Illinois State
After totaling 34 tackles and five TFLs in 2023, he had a breakout 2024 campaign. The 6-foot-5 and 295-pounder had strong production from the interior, totaling 65 tackles, seven TFLs, 3.5 sacks, one interception, and two passes defended. Anderson finished the season earning All-MVFC Second Team honors. He was named on the Stats Perform Preseason All-American Third Team.
3. Edward Bobino III, SFA
Bobino has been a run-stuffer at 6-foot-1 and 334 pounds. He is a three-year All-Conference selection and enters 2025 on the FCS Football Central Preseason All-American Third Team. In 2022, he had 39 tackles and nine TFLs. In 2023, Bobino racked up 52 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, and two sacks. And last fall, he registered 47 tackles, eight TFLs, 1.5 sacks, and six QB hurries.
2. Brandon Tolvert, Tarleton State
After recording 36 tackles, six TFLs, two sacks, and seven QB hurries in 2023, Tolvert put together an All-UAC First Team season last year. The 6-foot-1 and 295-pounder had 63 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, four sacks, and four QB hurries. He has been recognized on the FCS Football Central Preseason All-American First Team.
1. Jeremiah Williams, Jackson State
Williams enters 2025 on the FCS Football Central Preseason All-American First Team and the Stats Perform Preseason All-American Third Team. He had 32 tackles and three sacks in 2022. In 2023, he tallied 45 tackles and 5.5 TFLs. Last fall, Williams, who is 6-foot-2 and 314 pounds, recorded 58 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, two sacks, and four QB hurries. Grading out as PFF’s No. 10 FCS interior defender, he was named an FCS Football Central All-American and the Celebration Bowl Defensive MVP.
