Every year, the front seven will contain some of college football’s most dominant players—Guys who specialize in sacking the quarterback and guys who specialize in stopping the run. Football’s freakiest athletes are found on the defensive line and at linebacker. In lieu of players such as Sonny Styles, David Bailey, and Arvell Reese lighting up the 2026 NFL Combine, let’s take a look at some of college football’s top front-seven defenders to watch in the upcoming 2026 CFB season.
Xavier Atkins, LB, Auburn
2025 Stats: 84 tackles, 17 TFLs, 9 sacks, 2 FFs
If you want to see a heat-seeking missile on a football field, then I suggest you watch Xavier Atkins. Atkins brings a shorter, yet compound build to the hybrid LB position. Standing around 6′ 220 pounds, Atkins uses his low center of gravity to attack blocks and his blazing speed to get around the edge. You’ll see Atkins lineup on the edge, off-the-ball inside, or even in the slot. He’s one of college football’s most versatile defenders, and he’s anticipated to have a monster season in 2026 as the alpha of Auburn’s defense.
Dylan Stewart, DE, South Carolina
2025 Stats: 33 tackles, 12 TFLs, 5 sacks, 3 FFs
Stewart is a big play waiting to happen. His immense length at 6’6 creates problems for offensive linemen of shorter stature. His speed creates problems for offensive tackles who thrive on power. The sack numbers don’t tell the whole story for Stewart. Over the past 2 seasons, he’s totaled 58 QB hurries and a combined pass-rushing grade of 81. The high sack total is sure to come, but his overall presence in the backfield is already undeniable. He’s one of the most difficult players in the country to game-plan for, and college football coaches frequently double-team him.
Teitum Tuioti, EDGE, Oregon
2025 Stats: 68 tackles, 16 TFLs, 9.5 sacks, 2 FFs
Tuioti is an all-around star at the EDGE position. He flashes both pass-rush and run-stopping abilities. At 6’3 263 pounds, he’s hard to move for OTs who don’t possess tons of power. Despite being built solidly, Tuioti also features excellent speed and bend for someone of his stature. His pass-rush grade of 84.1 was excellent, and he also received above-average grades in run-stopping and tackling. Even if Tuioti’s sack numbers drop in 2026, his impact will likely be felt in other areas. He will be an excellent every-down EDGE for Oregon and at the next level.
Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas
2025 Stats: 43 tackles, 15.5 TFLs, 12 sacks, 3 FFs
Simmons is likely to be the first defensive player taken in the 2027 NFL Draft. After totaling 9 sacks as a freshman and 12 sacks as a sophomore, he’ll be targeting a 15-sack season as a junior. Simmons possesses college football’s best speed rush, and he’s totaled these stats while facing one of the nation’s highest double-team rates. Even his run defense graded out at 83.8 on PFF. Simmons has a strong case to be college football’s best player, and he’ll be the #1 player on many NFL draft boards. At 6’3 245 pounds, and still developing, Simmons will showcase himself as an every-down player in 2026.
Sammy Brown, LB, Clemson
2025 Stats: 106 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, 5 sacks, 5 PDs
Brown is a true thumper in the middle, who also possesses the elite speed necessary to run sideline-to-sideline against top competition. At 6’2 235, Brown is the ideal size for the LB position. In 2026, the Clemson Tigers’ defense will go as far as Sammy Brown carries it. Brown’s missed tackle percentage in 2025 was just 5.9%, which is on par with other elite LBs such as CJ Allen, Anthony Hill Jr, and Arvell Reese. If Brown’s elite off-ball LB ability isn’t enough, he also possesses the ability to get to the QB at a frequent rate, reaching 5 sacks in 2025. Brown will be at the top of the pack when it comes to LB1 in the 2027 NFL Draft discussion.
Yhonzae Pierre, EDGE, Alabama
2025 Stats: 52 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, 8 sacks, 3 FFs
Pierre is the dominant force on the edge that we’re used to seeing Alabama have. After not starting for the first few games, Pierre took the starting job and never looked back. Pierre totaled 34 QB hurries on the season and had multiple games with two sacks. At 6’4 240+ pounds, he possesses a combo of speed and length that NFL teams will covet come next year’s draft. His burst quickly defeats offensive tackles who aren’t light on their feet, but he also possesses some counter moves. Pierre will be pushing for a double-digit sack season in 2026, and he’s likely to finish around 20 TFLs.
Damon Wilson II, EDGE, Miami
2025 Stats: 23 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 9 sacks
Wilson was one-half of the elite Missouri edge unit from 2025, alongside Zion Young. He had a breakout season after transferring from Georgia, where he was stuck on the depth chart. Wilson’s coming-out party was against Alabama, when he totaled 2 sacks, 2 QB hits, and 2 hurries. Now, Wilson is transferring to Miami, where he will be the centerpiece in one of college football’s best defensive lines. Surrounded by pass-rushing talent, Wilson will see his fair share of 1-on-1 opportunities. He will undoubtedly reach double-digit sacks in 2026. Wilson was likely to be a top-50 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but he returned to college to raise his stock.
Amare Campbell, LB, Tennessee
2025 Stats: 103 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 3 sacks
Campbell has now been the centerpiece of defenses at both Penn State and UNC. In the last two seasons, he’s totaled 179 tackles, 20 TFLs, and 9.5 sacks. Now, Campbell will be the man in the middle for Jim Knowles, arguably college football’s best defensive coordinator. A talented defensive line unit should lead to open gaps for Campbell, and he’ll likely achieve another 100+ tackle season. Campbell will also make his presence known behind the line of scrimmage, an aspect of his game that will attract NFL GMs. With two years of starting experience, offenses will struggle to throw looks at Campbell that he hasn’t seen. He’s a safe pick to be an All-SEC linebacker in 2026.
Rasheem Biles, LB, Texas
2025 Stats: 101 tackles, 17 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, 2 INTs, 2 FFs
Few players in college football will fill up the stat sheet like Rasheem Biles. He’s an undersized LB who makes up for his lack of size with speed, vision, and toughness. Biles was the #1 LB in the On3 transfer portal rankings after having an elite season with Pittsburgh. In the last two seasons, Biles has totaled 183 tackles, 31.5 TFLs, and 10 sacks. Biles is as well-rounded a LB as you can find, impacting the game via disruption, sure tackling, and pass coverage. Biles doesn’t possess the physical traits that a player such as Sammy Brown does, which is why his NFL Draft stock won’t be as high. But Biles could easily win the Butkus Award in 2026.
John Henry Daley, DE, Michigan
2025 Stats: 48 tackles, 17.5 TFLs, 11.5 sacks
After posting an elite season at Utah, Daley is transferring to Michigan to follow head coach Kyle Whittingham. In 2025, Daley was Utah’s best player. He earned an astounding 93.4 pass rush grade on PFF, as well as an above-average run defense grade. He totaled 32 QB hurries on the season and earned two sacks in multiple games. At 6’4 255 pounds, Daley possesses both speed and power, which helps him in the run game as well. Moving to the Big Ten will test Daley’s run defense even more, which will benefit him in the long run. We can expect another double-digit sack season from Daley, along with 15+ TFLs in a run-heavy conference.
Princewill Umanmielen, EDGE, LSU
2025 Stats: 44 tackles, 13 TFLs, 9 sacks
After posting an All-SEC season at Ole Miss, Umanmielen will be following head coach Lane Kiffin to Baton Rouge. For the Rebels, Umanmielen had multiple games with two sacks and totaled one sack and five hurries during the College Football Playoff. Now that he’s surrounded by more talent at LSU, Umanmielen will see more 1-on-1 snaps, likely leading to double-digit sacks. Umanmielen possesses great speed to pair with a 6’5 frame, and he can bend the hoop on speed rushes. Some improvements in the run game will help to increase his draft stock, but Umanmielen will make headlines each week with his rush ability.
Taylor Wein, DE, Oklahoma
2025 Stats: 39 tackles, 15 TFLs, 7 sacks
Wein has the most potential of any player on this list in terms of an explosion in production in 2026. While he appeared in 13 games, he started only 8 and saw 40+ snaps in 6. He had four games with 4+ hurries, with 3 of those games being in SEC conference play. With an immense frame at 6’4 276 pounds, Wein is not easily pushed off the ball in the run game, and his raw power can overwhelm underdeveloped, collegiate offensive tackles. The Oklahoma defense will feature Wein in 2026, and he could easily have a 20-TFL, 10-sack season. Given his lack of playing time, those numbers could be even higher. Wein is a very intriguing prospect to watch in the upcoming season.
