The availability of elite talent on the defensive line is often a key factor in whether a team becomes a national title contender.
Over the years, countless freshmen have made the quick transition from high school to college. There are quite a few prospects in the 2027 cycle that could add to that number.
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USA TODAY High School Sports has launched its spring scouting campaign, focusing on the top players in each position group. So far, we’ve taken a look at the top quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends and offensive linemen in the class.
Now, it’s time to look at the other side of the ball. Here are the top 10 defensive linemen in the 2027 class.
1.DJ Jacobs
School: Holy Trinity Catholic(GA)
high: 6-5
weight: 235
Commitment status: Ohio State University
Summary: Jacobs has been a defensive monster since he stepped on the field as a freshman. In 2025, he once again topped 100 tackles, finishing with 102 tackles, 24 tackles for loss and 16 sacks in 11 games. On December 29, he committed to the Buckeyes.
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2. Jaylen Brewster
School: Cedar Mountain (Texas)
high: 6-3
weight: Chapter 302
Commitment status: Texas Tech University
Summary: Brewster already looks like an NFL defensive tackle and will only continue to grow heading to Lubbock. On October 4, he joined the Red Raiders.
3.KJ Green
School: Stephenson (Georgia)
high: 6-4
weight: 215
Commitment status: uncommitted
Summary: Green earned MaxPreps Junior All-American honors after a stellar junior season in which he totaled 129 tackles, 40 tackles for loss, 18 sacks, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He is scheduled to take office on August 8, and official visits to South Carolina (June 12) and Alabama (June 19) are currently planned.
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4. Anthony Sweeney
School: Our Lady of Goodwill (MD)
high: 6-4
weight: 230
Commitment status: uncommitted
Summary: Sweeney’s only drawback is his size, but college strength programs will turn him from a quality player into a player who could be on Day 1 of the NFL Draft in the near future. He finished his junior season with 34 tackles, five sacks and 3.5 sacks in 11 games.
5. Chris Whitehead
School: Lloyd Byrd (Virginia)
high: 6-4.5
weight: 230
Commitment status: uncommitted
Summary: Whitehead earned all-state honors as a junior, excelling on both sides of the ball. Defensively, he totaled 54 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.
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6. Zelen Foster
School: IMG Academy (Florida)
high: 6-3.5
weight: 225
Commitment status: uncommitted
Summary: Foster transferred to IMG before the start of his junior season and finished the year with 28 tackles, nine tackles for loss and five sacks. While Forstall didn’t have any official visits scheduled, he had offers from North Carolina State, the University of Oregon and Georgia Tech in late January.
7. Marcus Fakatu
School: Orange Lutheran Church (California)
high: 6-6
weight: 275
Commitment status: uncommitted
Summary: At 6-foot-6 with long arms, Wakatu stands out on an Orange Lutheran team that does have some struggles in 2025. He personally recorded 69 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
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8.Jaden Bryant
School: Irmo (SC)
high: 6-3.5
weight: 245
Commitment status: Louisiana State University
Summary: LSU scored a huge victory on Jan. 3 when Bryant announced he was joining the Tigers. He was one of the fastest players in the 2027 class and finished his junior season with 79 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and six forced fumbles.
9. Cass Curry
School: Sierra Canyon (California)
high: 6-5
weight: 315
Commitment status: uncommitted
Summary: Whether on the offensive or defensive line, Curry has a bright future in college. He showed flashes of offensive potential during his junior season. But his current experience at defensive tackle has many predicting he will take the next step.
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10. Mekai Brown
School: Greenwich Country Day (Connecticut)
high: 6-7
weight: 230
Commitment status: uncommitted
Summary: Brown has received a ton of offers and 2026 is a good thing for him as he keeps pushing for offers. In January alone, he held offers from Kentucky, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, UCLA, Missouri, Notre Dame and Penn State.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School SportsWire: 2027 Defensive Lineman Football Recruiting Rankings
