Last season, the Big 12 had a down year in the trenches when it came to NFL talent. Only one defensive lineman, Collin Oliver, was drafted, going in the fifth round to the Green Bay Packers. That number should rise sharply in the 2026 NFL Draft, with seven defensive linemen from the conference carrying draftable grades on my board heading into the season.
The top Big 12 defensive lineman on my board is Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey, a transfer from Stanford. But most of the strength in the conference lies inside. Four of my top five Big 12 linemen project as defensive tackles at the next level.
All positional designations below reflect where I project each player in a 4-3 defensive scheme.
Top five defensive linemen in the Big 12
1. David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech
Preseason Draft Grade: 3rd Round
NFL Fit: Baltimore Ravens
Texas Tech hit the jackpot in the transfer portal with David Bailey, who led Stanford with seven sacks last season and tied for fourth in the FBS with four forced fumbles. He’s not a full-time defensive end yet but shows the burst and bend to win off the edge as a situational rusher. The Ravens feel like a natural NFL fit as Bailey’s quickness and frame would thrive in their 3-4 scheme as a stand-up rusher.
2. Jackie Marshall, DT, Baylor
Preseason Draft Grade: 4th Round
NFL Fit: Detroit Lions
Marshall may have played on the edge in college, but his best NFL projection is as a 3-tech in a 4-3 front. He posted an elite 88.4 run defense grade from PFF in 2023 despite being just 6'3", 290. He’s compact, powerful, and disruptive inside. The Lions could be a strong landing spot, especially with Levi Onwuzurike likely gone after the season. They’ll need depth, and Marshall fits their style.
3. Dontay Corleone, DT, Cincinnati
Preseason Draft Grade: 5th Round
NFL Fit: New Orleans Saints
Corleone had a down year in 2024 while managing a serious medical issue (blood clots), but when healthy, he’s a dominant run-stopper. His 80.4 run defense grade in 2023 was impressive, but his 2022 grade of 94.7 was the best PFF had given since Micah Parsons in 2019. The Saints, whose defensive line graded dead last in the NFL per PFF, could use a tone-setter like him up front.
Cincinnati DT Dontay Corleone Since 2022:
— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 13, 2024
🔴 92.7 PFF Grade (1st)
🔴 51 Defensive Stops (5th)
🔴 17 TFL’s/No Gain (7th)
🔴 93.1 Run Defense Grade (1st)
🔴 85.8 Pass Rush Grade (8th) pic.twitter.com/Rw8bphFAgO
4. Keanu Tanuvasa, DT, BYU
Preseason Draft Grade: 5th Round
NFL Fit: Indianapolis Colts
Tanuvasa is another intriguing portal pickup, transferring to BYU from rival Utah. Despite playing only seven games in 2024, he managed 4.5 tackles for loss and flashed impressive burst and strength on tape. One knock against him is his age since he’s older than most prospects after serving a two-year LDS mission post-high school. The Colts make sense as a landing spot with both Grover Stewart and DeForest Buckner now over 31. Indianapolis needs to start lining up replacements on the interior, and Tanuvasa’s upside is worth the investment.
5. Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State
Preseason Draft Grade: 5th Round
NFL Fit: New England Patriots
Iowa State’s Domonique Orange is a massive presence in the middle at 6-foot-4, 325 pounds. He’s expected to take on a larger role in 2025 after limited snaps last season due to conditioning issues. As an NFL prospect, he checks the boxes for a prototypical nose tackle with his size, raw power, and surprising movement skills. The Patriots could be a strong match. They run a 3-4 front and may be in the market for a backup nose tackle in the 2026 NFL Draft. Orange fits that mold perfectly.