Cincinnati brings loaded defensive line into Big 12

All three return to the line and will be among the best in the conference.

No. 4: Oklahoma

Football season is creeping up, and the Big 12 welcomes four new teams.

The O’Colly will rank position groups in the conference each week. Previously, quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, offensive lines and special teams were ranked. This time, it’s the defensive line.

No. 1: Cincinnati

The Bearcats’ line features two of the best in the Big 12. Linemen Dontay Corleone and Jowon Briggs return to the line after both receiving All-AAC first team in 2022. Corleone and Briggs combined for more than 100 tackles and six sacks for the Bearcats.

No. 2: Texas

The Longhorns return both interior defensive linemen to help lead the way. T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy II were selected as honorable mentions for the conference’s All-Big 12 team last season. The line also includes backups from a season ago in Barryn Sorrell and Ethan Burke.

No. 3: UCF

The Knights boast two first-team All-AAC players on the line. Tre’Mon Morris-Bush and Ricky Barber were both all-conference selections last year, and Josh Celiscar was an honorable mention.

The Sooners returned an all-conference performer while adding an in-state rival. Lineman Ethan Downs was selected to last year’s second team with 4.5 sacks and 38 total tackles. Defensive lineman Trace Ford transfers in from OSU. Ford has seen a lot of success in his career but has spent the majority of the last two seasons dealing with injuries.

No. 5: Texas Tech Tyree Wilson went in the first round of the NFL Draft but left with the line still full. Lineman Tony Bradford Jr. had the most pressures by an interior lineman in the Big 12 a season ago with 35. Jaylon Hutchins was rated as the third-best interior lineman in the conference by Pro Football Focus in 2022.

No. 6: Kansas State season.

A guy like first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah is nearly irreplaceable, but the Wildcats will make-do in 2023. Khalid Duke is expected to make the switch from linebacker to defensive end this season following 40 tackles last year in a backup role. Interior lineman Brendan Mott will continue to be a force while Uso Seumalo and Desmond Purnell are expected to fill the remaining starting spots.

Cincinnati...

No. 7: Houston

Half of the Cougars’ line needs replacing; the other half is fine. Chidozie Nwankwo and Nelson Ceaser started for Houston last season. Ceaser had 10 tackles for loss and four sacks last year. Zykeius Strong and Sedrick Williams are expected to fill the empty spots left on the line.

No. 8: BYU

BYU returns half of its line, but it will need big contributions from its replacements. Isaiah Bagnah and Atunaisa Mahe are expected to start for the Cougars. Bagnah transferred in from Boise State with 10 tackles last season, and Mahe played in eight games in 2022. Tyler Batty and John Nelson return to start and combined for 80 tackles last season.

No. 9: Baylor

The Bears have a tough task replacing veteran linemen Siaki Ika and Jaxon Player. Gabe Hall will be the only returning starter on the depleted defensive line. He received honorable mention for All-Big 12 honors last season. TJ Franklin and Hutchinson College transfer Jerell Boykins Jr. are expected to fill-in on the line as starters this year.

No. 10: TCU

The Horned Frogs lost a lot from last season and didn’t bring in transfers to replace the production on the front line. The lone remaining starter is Damonic Williams, who was picked as a freshman All-American last year. Caleb Fox and Paul Oyewale are expected to start after being backups last

No. 11: OSU

With last season starters leaving the program or the line, the Cowboys are hoping one of its biggest additions will make a big impact. Linemen Sione Asi, Brock Martin and Tyler Lacy left for the draft, and Collin Oliver is moving to linebacker. The line is depleted from last year and down to 2022 reserves. Lineman Justin Kirkland transferred in from Utah State following a 40 totaltackle freshman season and is expected to make big contributions.

No. 12: Kansas

The Jayhawks didn’t have a good defensive line last season, and that might not change in 2023. The only previous season-starter expected to start for the Jayhawks is Devin Phillips, a Colorado State transfer.

No. 13: West Virginia

The Mountaineers have one returning starter for 2023. Sean Martin returns to the line after starting eight games last season with 34 tackles. Mike Lockhart, Edward Vesterinen and Jared Bartlett are expected to start after replacement roles last season. The trio combined for 49 tackles in 2022.

No. 14: Iowa State sports.ed@ocolly.com

The Cyclones return one starter on the line after a 4-8 season. Isaiah Lee will be playing his fifth season in Ames, and last season was the only one he’s been a full-time starter. Linemen Tyler Onyedim, Joey Petersen and Auburn transfer Tobechi Okoli combined for 26 tackles as reserves last season. Each is expected to start for the Cyclones.