It starts in the trenches, and in 2026, Oregon might have the best defensive line in college football, spearheaded by a couple of NFL first round draft picks.
The last five national champions had one thing in common, a nasty, disruptive group in the defensive front. The last three have come from the Big Ten.
Year/Champion | Pts. per game allowed | Defensive line stars |
|---|---|---|
2021 Georgia | 10.2 | Travon Walker Jalen Carter Jordan Davis Devonte Wyatt |
2022 Georgia | 14.3 | Carter, Mykel Williams Nolan Smith |
2023 Michigan | 10.4 | Mason Graham Kenneth Grant Jaylen Harrell Braiden McGregor |
2024 Ohio State | 12.9 | Jack Sawyer JT Tuimoloau Tyleik Williams Ty Hamilton |
2025 Indiana | 11.7 | Stephen Daley Tyrique Tucker Kellan Wyatt Mikail Kamara |
According to cfb.com, 2021 Georgia (coached by defensive coordinator Dan Lanning) racked up a team total of 101 tackles per loss and 49 sacks. Walker, Davis and Wyatt were all first round draft picks.
As the 2024 National Champions, the Buckeyes saw all 11 starters taken in subsequent drafts, including Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs and Williams in the first round, Tuimoloau and Sawyer in rounds two and four.
The Ducks this year have a group to rival any of these. A'Mauri Washington and Matayo Uiagalelei are projected first rounders, with Bear Alexander and Teitum Tuioti certain to follow them into the league.
Oregon DT A’Mauri Washington (6-3, 330) would’ve been my DT2 in THIS NFL Draft
— Clint Goss (@NFLDraftDome) April 29, 2026
Firmly in DT1 talks. So quick off the 🏈w/ridiculous athleticism. Moves like he’s 300
🦆8 batted passes led FBS
🦆12 QB hurries in 2024
🦆18 in 2025
1st Round Bound for 2027 pic.twitter.com/O7VGqPz8mM
In addition to the star power, the Spring Game showed that Oregon has impressive depth in the trenches. Podcast host and former NFL tight end, George Wrighster posted on X, "Light came on for Aydin Breland and it’s not going back out."
Breland recorded a pair of sacks and a couple of impressive run stuffs in the annual scrimmage. Matthew Johnson also showed off improved handfighting skills and technique, striking the offensive lineman with a decisive blow, peeking into the backfied to read the running back, then shedding the blocker to make stops for little or no gain.
Johnson and Breland beat the offensive linemen with both power moves and combinations, each showing they're ready to make an impact in 2026. In addition, Nasir Wyatt has added good weight to 240 with no loss of his devastating quickness. Elijah Rushing has leveled up, and North Carolina transfer D'antre Robinson flashed also.
At 6-5, 304 and 6-5, 295, Breland and Johnson also bring impressive versatility. Their combination of quickness, strength and technique allows them to play up and down the line in a variety of roles. Johnson started as a defensive end-- he's moved inside with great effectiveness.
Depth and development were crucial this spring as Oregon lost some vital pieces in the portal, Tionne Gray, Terrance Green, Blake Purchase and Jericho Johnson moving on to starting opportunities at Notre Dame, Alabama, Ole Miss and Cal.
Matayo’s off season preparation got him looking ripped 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽 he’s at his lightest playing weight 265lbs and his strict diet and weight training got him almost looking like a bigger Kenyon Sadiq 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽 let’s go Matayo!!! Go DUCKS 🦆🦆🦆 pic.twitter.com/fsz7cSuLWB
— Big Dave Uiagalelei (@DUiagalelei) April 25, 2026
This year the Oregon defense has the star power up front to destroy what the opponent wants to do, and the depth to sustain it over a long season. Fans also had to like the potential and motor of true freshmen Dutch Horisk and Alabama five star Anthony "Tank" Jones also, each working to see the field early.
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