Is Dontay Corleone the best in 2024?

There are many impressive defensive tackles in the Big 12.

The conference boasts returnees like Lee Hunter from Central Florida and Dontay Corleone from Cincinnati, but there are also newcomers like Junior Tafuna from Utah.

Here are the Big 12’s top 10 defensive tackles for the 2024 season:

Big 12 Defensive Tackle Rankings for the 2024 Season

10. Tymon Mitchell, TCU

Mitchell’s statistics are not exactly outstanding.

The 6’3″, 315-pound defensive tackle did not start in his 12 games last season. As a senior, he recorded 15 tackles (0.5 for loss) and zero sacks.

But standout defensive tackle Damonic Williams transferred to OU on May 2, clearing the way for Mitchell to become a full-time starter. He could have a breakout season, which is why he ranks No. 10.

9. Justin Kirkland, Oklahoma State

Kirkland spent his freshman season at Utah Tech and adapted well to OSU’s FBS level last season.

The 6-foot-3, 345-pound defensive tackle recorded 22 tackles (three for loss) and two pass deflections as a sophomore. And although he didn’t record a sack, he led all of the team’s interior linemen in tackles.

Kirkland will likely split his time as a starter this season with Collin Clay, who also has a good chance of being on this list. I would give Kirkland a slight edge as he has the potential to improve his game with the experience he now has under his belt.

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8. De’Braylon Carroll, Texas Tech

Carroll spent the first five seasons of his career at Rice before transferring to Texas Tech on Jan. 19.

The 6-foot-3, 295-pound defensive tackle recorded career-highs of 46 tackles (nine for loss) and 3.5 sacks as a redshirt junior with the Owls last season. He was Rice’s highest-rated defender by Pro Football Focus (80.7).

Carroll now joins a Texas Tech team that must replace the efforts of former defensive tackles Tony Bradford Jr. and Jaylon Hutchings, and he will have every opportunity to contribute in his sixth and final season.

7. Chidozie Nwankwo, Colorado

Nwankwo spent the first four seasons of his career in Houston before being traded to Colorado on December 18.

The 6-foot-3, 295-pound defensive tackle recorded 25 tackles (five for loss) and a sack as a junior with the Cougars last season, numbers he achieved in just 10 games.

Colorado allowed the second-most yards per game (453.3) in the Pac-12 last season, and its biggest weakness was its defensive line. With the addition of Nwankwo, a veteran with plenty of Big 12 experience, the group should be better this time around.

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6. JR Singleton, Iowa State

Singleton received jersey No. 58 last season, which is given annually to an Iowa State player in memory of former assistant coach Curtis Bray.

Singleton represented that number well. The 6-foot-2, 295-pound defensive tackle recorded career-highs of 22 tackles (3.5 for loss) and 3.5 sacks as a redshirt junior.

Iowa State’s defense allowed the third-fewest points in the Big 12 last season (22.8), and that should continue to be a strength for the team. Singleton will be a consistent performer in the trenches when he once again dons jersey No. 58.

5. Uso Seumalo, Kansas State

After spending the first two seasons of his career at Garden City Community College in Kansas, Seumalo held a reserve position at Kansas State in 2022.

But the 6-foot-3, 315-pound defensive tackle became a starter last season and made the most of it, earning honorable mention All-Big 12 honors as a junior with 18 tackles (1.5 for loss) and 1.5 sacks.

Seumalo hasn’t put up huge numbers, but his size makes him one of the most impressive prospects on this list. Now that he has a year of starting experience under his belt, he should improve his game and become one of the top five defensive tackles in the conference.

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4. Edward Vesterinen, West Virginia

Vesterinen also flourished after becoming a full-time starter for the first time last season.

The 6’3″, 280-pound defensive tackle from Finland recorded 28 tackles (4.5 for loss) and three sacks. He received honorable mention All-Big 12 honors for his strong play.

West Virginia ranked first in the Big 12 in team sacks (33) last season, with much of that credit going to Vesterinen, who had three sacks, the most of any returning Mountaineer.

3. Junior Tafuna, Utah

Tafuna has made consistent contributions to Utah over the years.

After being named Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, Tafuna was named to the All-Pac-12 second team in each of the following two seasons. The 6’3″, 295-pound defensive tackle recorded 17 tackles (three for loss) and 1.5 sacks as a junior last season.

Utah can be considered a contender for the conference title in its first season in the Big 12. The same success can be expected from Tafuna, who was named to the All-Big 12 team last season.

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2. Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati

Corleone, nicknamed “The Godfather,” is one of the last remaining defense monsters from the Luke Fickell era in Cincinnati.

Corleone dominated the line of scrimmage last season. The 6-foot-1, 315-pound defensive tackle was named to the All-Big 12 second team as a redshirt sophomore with 39 tackles (6.5 for loss) and three sacks.

Corleone’s health will need to be monitored. He was hospitalized in June for blood clots in his lungs but has since returned to the team. Still, Corleone earned a spot on the preseason All-Big 12 team and is undoubtedly one of the best defensive tackles in the conference.

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1. Lee Hunter, Central Florida

Before the return of EA Sports’ College Football 25 took the nation by storm, Hunter was putting up video game numbers last season at UCF.

The 6-foot-4, 315-pound defensive tackle earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors as a redshirt sophomore with 69 tackles (11 for loss) and three sacks. His 11 tackles for loss are the most of any returning defensive lineman in the conference.

Much like Tafuna and Corleone, Hunter earned a spot on the preseason All-Big 12 team. But with his outstanding size and statistics in 2023, Hunter has the edge as the conference’s best defensive tackle.