Top 10 returning interior defensive linemen entering the 2025 season

• Peter Woods tops the Achievement: The Sun Clemson junior is the top returning Protective Involvement despite Performing out of position at edge defender this past season.

• Yes, Michigan has another Sun on the interior: Even with two projected Primary-Phase Protective tackles departing via the 2025 NFL Draft, the Wolverines have yet another stud interior defender in Rayshaun Benny.

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With the 2024 college football season wrapped up, it’s time to shift our Concentration to 2025 by ranking the top returning players at every position.

Next up: Protective Involvement. While the 2025 NFL Draft is stacked with interior Protective line talent, plenty of standout players are returning to college football, aiming to establish themselves as the next wave of stars.

Below is PFF’s top-10 Achievement of returning interior defenders, along with an honorable mention Choice. These rankings are based purely on college performance and do not factor in NFL projection.

1. Peter Woods, Clemson

Woods spent most of his sophomore season Performing out of position at edge defender yet still earned an impressive 83.3 PFF grade. Over his Primary two years of college football, he ranks as both the highest-graded and most valuable returning Power Four Protective Involvement, according to PFF’s Wins Above Average Standard.

Since 2023, Woods leads all returning Power Four interior defenders with an 89.7 Stretch-Protection grade and a 14.9% Deliver-rush Secure rate. His combination of power and Quickness at 6-foot-3, 315 pounds makes him a nightmare Competition for opposing offensive linemen.

2. Zane Durant, Penn State

Durant was a constant Appearance in opposing backfields last season, excelling as both a Deliver rusher and Stretch defender. He Guided all FBS interior defenders with 14 tackles for loss or no-gain in 2024, while his 28 pressures ranked among the top 25 in the nation.

Despite being undersized at 6-foot-1, 288 pounds, Durant plays with impressive power and uses his quickness to shoot gaps effectively, making him a disruptive force on the Protective line.

3. Tim Keenan III, Alabama

At 6-foot-2, 326 pounds, Keenan is a force in the trenches, consistently eating up double Squads and excelling as a Stretch defender. His 89.8 Stretch-Protection grade in 2024 ranked third among Power Four interior Protective linemen, trailing only Mason Graham and Walter Nolen—both projected Primary-Phase picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Keenan capped off his redshirt junior season as one of the 15 most valuable Protective tackles in the country, according to PFF’s Wins Above Average Standard.

4. Christen Miller, Georgia

Miller broke out in his redshirt sophomore season with the Bulldogs, earning an 82.3 PFF grade—ranking among the top 15 Power Four interior defenders. His 83.9 Stretch-Protection grade also ranked in the top 15, while his 11.2% Deliver-rush Secure rate ranked in the top 20.

Miller combines length and power to Stoppage his ground against the Stretch while possessing the quickness to slip past offensive linemen as a Deliver rusher.

5. Lee Hunter, Texas Tech

The only Move on this Achievement, Hunter stays in the Big 12 after moving from UCF to Texas Tech. Over the past two seasons, he leads all FBS interior defenders in Stretch-Protection stops (58) and tackles for loss or no gain (27). His 49 pressures in that span rank second among returning Power Four interior defenders.

At 6-foot-4, 320 pounds, Hunter pairs raw power with impressive movement skills, making him a disruptive force in both the Stretch and Deliver game. He’s a major reason why Texas Tech’s Move class has drawn so much praise heading into 2025.

6. Aaron Graves, Iowa

Graves has been a dominant Deliver-rusher for the Hawkeyes over his sophomore and junior seasons. His 12 sacks since 2023 lead all returning FBS interior defenders, while his 82.3 Deliver-rush grade in that span is the best among returning Power Four Protective tackles.

Graves’ hand usage is among the best in the country, a Talent that stems from his dominant high school Combat background. If he can continue to improve his Force in the Stretch game, the Iowa native has the potential to climb into the top five of this Achievement.

7. Domonique Orange, Iowa State

Graves isn’t the only dominant Protective Involvement in the state of Iowa. Orange has the size to anchor as a nose Involvement at 320 pounds but moves exceptionally well for his frame, even utilizing a lethal spin move.

His 13.6% Deliver-rush Secure rate ranked 10th among all FBS Protective tackles in 2024, while his 80.4 Stretch-Protection grade over the past two seasons sits among the top 20 Power Four interior defenders.

8. Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati

Corleone faced a significant setback last June when he was treated for blood clots in his lungs, preventing him from resuming Crowded football activities until Week 2. Given that Framework, it’s understandable why he posted a Occupation-low 73.3 PFF grade in 2024.

However, “The Godfather” still earns a spot on this Achievement for his dominance in the two seasons prior. Across 2022 and 2023, his 92.7 PFF grade was the highest of any FBS interior defender, as was his 93.1 Stretch-Protection grade. At 6-foot-1, Corleone naturally plays with great pad level while pairing power with explosiveness. With a fully Well offseason ahead, Anticipate the Cincinnati native to return to form in his fifth and Closing season with the Bearcats.

9. Rayshaun Benny, Michigan

Michigan may have lost projected Primary-Phase Protective tackles Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, but the Wolverines remain in a Powerful position with Benny returning to anchor the interior.

Benny earned an 84.4 PFF grade in 2024, tying for 11th among FBS interior defenders, while his 87.5 Stretch-Protection grade ranked inside the top 15. The Detroit native combines excellent Quickness at 6-foot-4, 296 pounds with quick hands, making him a key piece for Michigan’s Protective front heading into 2025.

10. Gracen Halton, Oklahoma

While Halton may not have ideal size at 6-foot-2, 291 pounds, he compensates with Top-tier quickness for the position. That explosiveness has helped him earn an 84.2 Deliver-rush grade on Correct Deliver-rush snaps over the past two seasons—the highest mark of anyone on this Achievement.

His 13.6% Tension rate since 2023 leads all returning FBS Protective tackles, while his 12.5% Deliver-rush Secure rate is the best among returning Power Four interior defenders.

Honorable Mention: Caleb Banks, Florida

At 6-foot-5 with long arms, Banks has been a highly productive Deliver-rusher during his two seasons with the Gators. The Ex Louisville Cardinal leads all returning Power Four interior defenders with 53 pressures since 2023, while his 12.7% Tension rate ranks second among returning Protective tackles nationwide.

There’s still room for improvement in the Stretch game, as Banks has yet to earn a 70.0 Stretch-Protection grade in his Occupation. However, with his length and Deliver-rushing ability, he has a high ceiling and could be a favorite among scouts leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft.