We utilized the Pro Football Focus (PFF) database and grading system to take a look at the highest-graded returning defensive linemen across FCS football entering the 2023 season.
Each player’s PFF Grade represents their overall defensive grade from the 2022 season, including postseason games. Defensive linemen who played 20% of the minimum number of snaps were included in the rankings below. All rankings and statistics were gathered using the Pro Football Focus database.
*NOTE: These rankings are not the official Bluebloods FCS Positional Rankings For The 2023 Season*
1. David Walker (Central Arkansas)
PFF Defensive Grade: 92.4
2022 Statistics: 66 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 1 forced fumble
2. Finn Claypool (Drake)
PFF Defensive Grade: 92.2
2022 Statistics: 48 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 1 forced fumble
3. Thor Griffith (Harvard)
PFF Defensive Grade: 90.5
2022 Statistics: 46 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 5 sacks
4. Brandon Roberts (Merrimack)
PFF Defensive Grade: 90.4
2022 Statistics: 42 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 1 pass breakup
5. Elijah Williams (Morgan State)
PFF Defensive Grade: 89.0
2022 Statistics: 60 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, 1 pass breakup
6. Khristian Boyd (Northern Iowa)
PFF Defensive Grade: 88.5
2022 Statistics: 32 total tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles
7. Eric O’Neill (Long Island)
PFF Defensive Grade: 88.2
2022 Statistics: 51 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
8. Will Buck (San Diego)
PFF Defensive Grade: 87.0
2022 Statistics: 33 total tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 1 pass breakup
9. Joey Slackman (Penn)
PFF Defensive Grade: 85.2
2022 Statistics: 49 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 2 pass breakups
10. Dylan Wudke (Youngstown State)
PFF Defensive Grade: 84.9
2022 Statistics: 43 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
11. Sundiata Anderson (Grambling State)
PFF Defensive Grade: 84.7
2022 Statistics: 50 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
12. Carson Primrose (Sacred Heart)
PFF Defensive Grade: 83.7
2022 Statistics: 34 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks
13. Jett Stanley (Sacramento State)
PFF Defensive Grade: 83.3
2022 Statistics: 40 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2 pass breakups
14. Steven Parker (Incarnate Word)
PFF Defensive Grade: 83.2
2022 Statistics: 48 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 1 fumble recovery
15. Edward Bobino (Stephen F. Austin)
PFF Defensive Grade: 82.9
2022 Statistics: 39 total tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries
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