By Corey Long – @CoreyLong
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The top-15 defensive line recruiting classes in 2019 (including transfers).
Alabama
Key Players: Antonio Alfano, Byron Young, Ishmael Sophser, Kevin Harris, Justin Eboigbe
This is the sort of defensive line class that breaks the mold. This group could rival the talent and depth that Clemson had on the field in 2018.
Oregon
Key Players: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Keyon Ware-Hudson, Kristian Williams
Thibodeaux was arguably the best player in the nation in the Class of 2019. Ware-Hudson is a top 15-20 interior guy.
Georgia
Key Players: Nolan Smith, Travon Walker, Jermaine Johnson (JUCO)
Smith and Walker have NFL-in-three-years type of upside, and Jermaine Johnson was one of the top junior college prospects in the nation.
South Carolina
Key Players: Zacch Pickens, Jaquaze Sorrells, Jahkeem Green (JUCO)
The Gamecocks needed a big recruiting win over Clemson and got it in Pickens, who was the top prospect in South Carolina.
Washington
Key Players: Sama Paama, Laiatu Latu, Jacob Bandes
The Huskies went after the beef to restock their line and got it as Paama, Bandes and top-five nose tackle prospect Faatui Tuitele are all over the 300-pound mark.
Florida
Key Players: Khris Bogle, Jaelin Humphries, Mohamoud Diabate
Bogle was a major signing-day grab for the Gators as they had to beat out Alabama and Miami for him.
Auburn
Key Players: Derick Hall, Charles Moore, Jaren Handy
Auburn dipped into Mississippi and grabbed who some consider the best two prospects in the state with Moore and Handy.
Michigan
Key Players: Chris Hinton, Mazi Smith, Michael Morris
There will be a bit of a youth movement up front for the Wolverines, so Hinton and Smith could get extended time. Central Michigan transfer Mike Danna will also be an experienced body.
Texas A&M
Key Players: DeMarvin Leal, Derick Hunter, Josh Ellison
Leal is a top-five prospect in Texas and gives the Aggies a legitimate talent in the interior with NFL upside.
Mississippi State
Key Players: Nathan Pickering, Azi Izuchukwu
The Bulldogs will have to replace a couple of high-round picks on that defensive line, and Pickering is a nice player to build a new group around.
Oklahoma
Key Players: Marcus Stripling, David Ugwoegbu, Joseph Wete
Although the Sooners couldn’t get in on DeMarvin Leal, it’s still a solid class of contributors who should develop into a nice unit.
Clemson
Key Players: Tyler Davis, Tayquon Johnson
Although the Tigers missed out on Zacch Pickens, they were able to snag Tyler Davis from conference rival Florida State.
Stanford
Key Players: Stephen Herron Jr., Joshua Pakola
Herron Jr. was the top defensive prospect from Kentucky and a solid addition to the always-tough Cardinal front.
Notre Dame
Key Players: Isaiah Foskey, Jacob Lacey, NaNa Osafo-Mensah
The Fighting Irish dipped into Texas to pull Mensah and defensive tackle Hunter Spears, both top 35-40 prospects from the Lone Star state.
Miami
Key Players: Jahfari Harvey, Trevon Hill (Virginia Tech transfer), Chigozie Nnoruka (UCLA transfer)
The Hurricanes need some quick fix depth at defensive line and did well in the transfer market with Hill and Nnoruka.
Recruiting Class Rankings by Position: DL | LB
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