Top 10 interior defensive lineman to watch out for in 2025 NFL draft ft. Mason Graham & Deone WalkerÂ
The 2025 NFL Draft is less than a year away and top college football prospects are preparing to use this season to raise their stock in next year's draft. The 2024 college football season will feature many top interior defensive lineman prospects who have the skillset to succeed at the professional level.
As we quickly approach the start of the 2024 season, here are the top 10 players on the interior defensive line to watch out for in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Top 10 interior defensive lineman to watch out for in the 2025 NFL Draft
#10. Tonka Hemingway, South Carolina
South Carolina's Tonka Hemingway is a name to keep on the radar for the 2025 NFL Draft due to his balance, pace, and tackling ability.
Hemingway has played four seasons at South Carolina and finished last season with 4.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, seven passes defended, and two fumble recoveries.
#9. Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati
Dontay Corleone was just a three-star recruit in 2021, but his 84 career tackles in 23 appearances have given him second-round 2025 NFL Draft consideration.
Corleone used his outstanding strength and footwork to record 6.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks last season.
#8. Howard Cross III, Notre Dame
Notre Dame's Howard Cross III will be a sixth-year senior in 2024, after five seasons with the Fighting Irish.
Cross had a career year in 2023, finishing with 66 total tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Cross has a quick burst off the line of scrimmage and finishes his tackles with power.
#7. Rylie Mills, Notre Dame
Notre Dame will have one of the top defensive fronts in college football that features two 2025 NFL Draft prospects in Howard Cross III and Rylie Mills.
Mills was a former four-star recruit who is entering his fifth season at Notre Dame. He posted 47 total tackles last season, with 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries.
#6. Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech
Former Duke DT tackle Aeneas Peebles will be transferring to Virginia Tech after four seasons with the Blue Devils. Peebles was one of the top transfer portal recruits at his position. If he can continue to build on his performance last season, he should be a top prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Last season, he recorded 8.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
#5. Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
Walter Nolan will be on his way to Ole Miss for his junior year after two seasons with Texas A&M.
Nolen was a former five-star recruit who has outstanding length and power with a playstyle fit for the NFL. He finished last season with 8.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks, both career highs.
#4. Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
Ohio State's Tyleik Williams will be one of the most intriguing 2025 NFL Draft prospects due to his quickness and ability to get into the backfield in a flash.
He finished last season with 10.0 tackles for loss and had five pass breakups. Williams could show some improvement in his one-on-one situations but has the kind of athletic ability to be successful at the professional level.
#3. Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Michigan will feature one of the top defensive interiors in 2024 after their national title run last season. Kenneth Grant will be one of the top 2025 NFL Draft prospects on the Wolverines' defensive line. He uses his hands extremely well and is surprisingly light on his feet for a 6-foot-3-inch, 339-pound lineman.
Grant is going into his junior season at Michigan after recording 5.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks last season. He also finished last season with five passes defended and one fumble recovery.
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#2. Deone Walker, Kentucky
Kentucky's Deone Walker ranked seventh in the SEC with 7.5 sacks last season and led the team with 12.5 tackles for loss.
Walker is an aggressive, strong, and quick interior lineman who uses his hands extremely well. He is going into his third season with the Wildcats and has a chance to boost his draft stock as a potential first-round 2025 NFL Draft pick.
#1. Mason Graham, Michigan
Michigan interior lineman Mason Graham had an outstanding sophomore season as a part of one of the nation's top defensive units in 2023.
He finished with 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Graham has strong hands, uses his strength to shed blockers, and also has the ability to help in the pass rush.
Which interior lineman do you think will be selected first in the 2025 NFL Draft? Let us know your draft predictions in the comments.
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