The dust has (mostly) settled from the spring transfer portal and we’re less than 100 days until kickoff of the 2024 season. As the calendar turns to June, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football takes stock at each position room at the 13 FBS programs to provide a feel for how each stack up relative to conference strength. We provide explanations for our top five and then list 6-13 below starting with the defensive line. 

PREVIOUS RANKINGS: QB | RB | WR | OL 

DEFENSIVE LINE ROOMS 

1. TEXAS A&M AGGIES 

The players: DE Nic Scourton, DE Shemar Stewart, DT DJ Hicks, DT Shemar Turner 

The outlook: The Wrecking Crew is poised to become one of the top units in America (again) under head coach Mike Elko. And that starts with an elite defensive line. Purdue transfer Scourton, who led the Big 10 in sacks a year ago, headlines a group that includes five stars like Hicks and Stewart. Turner is a scary athlete as a three-technique. The Aggies also have quality depth with players such as DE Cashius Howell, DE Malick Sylla, and DT Albert Regis. 

2. TEXAS LONGHORNS 

The players: DE Trey Moore, DT Alfred Collins, DE Barryn Sorrell, DE Ethan Burke 

The outlook: Losing two NFL draft picks at defensive tackle for the second straight cycle was going to test the depth for the Texas defensive line before the Longhorns used the transfer portal to replenish the ranks with Bill Norton (Arizona), Tiaoalii Savea (Arizona), and Jermayne Lole (Louisville). The Longhorns also added UTSA transfer Trey Moore – the 2023 AAC Defensive Player of the Year – and five-star freshman Collin Simmons to the pass rushing options. 

3. SMU MUSTANGS 

The players: DE Elijah Roberts, DT Kori Roberson, DE Cameron Robertson, DT Jared Harrison-Hunte 

The outlook: The Ponies loaded the cart for a move to the ACC with eight defensive line transfers – all from Power Four programs. Guys like Jared Harrison-Hunte (Miami) and Jonathan Jefferson (Georgia) were added to help transition up in weight classes against P4 offensive lines. SMU also returns Roberts at DE after an all-conference season a year ago. Returners like Roberson and Robinson will also fight for snaps. 

4. UTSA ROADRUNNERS 

The players: DT Joe Evans, NT Brandon Brown, DE Asyrus Simon, Edge Jimmori Robinson 

The outlook: he UTSA optimism for an AAC championship run in 2024 starts with a belief that the defensive line is the best of the Jeff Traylor era. The DT combo of Evans and Brown is the best in the G5. Simon is no push over at DE. The loss of Trey Moore to Texas will hurt, but the Roadrunners will lean on Robinson and a few new additions to replace that production. 

5. TCU HORNED FROGS 

The players: DT Caleb Fox, DE Paul Oyewale, Edge Devean Deal, NT Tymon Mitchell 

The outlook: New defensive coordinator Andy Avalos will give his defensive linemen every chance to go hunt in 2024 – a welcomed change in Funky Town after two years of an odd-man front that tasked the defensive linemen with occupying double teams. The loss of Domonic Williams to Oklahoma stings, but Fox and Mitchell can be plus players on the interior. If Oyewale and Deal can create havoc off the edge, this group might be better than fifth by years end. 

BEST OF THE REST

6. TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS

Replacing the defensive tackle tandem of Jaylon Hutchings and Tony Bradford won’t be an easy task. The Red Raiders like the depth up front, though. 

7. TEXAS STATE BOBCATS 

Ben Bell is a bad dude. Texas State can win the Sun Belt if the rest of the group plays more consistently in 2024 with a new defensive coordinator. 

8. BAYLOR BEARS 

Late portal additions bump the Bears into the Top 8. 

9. HOUSTON COUGARS 

One thing we’ll never doubt about a Willie Fritz program: The defensive line will play nasty and sound football. 

10. RICE OWLS

Continuity is the name of the game for the Owls, but the loss of De’Braylon Carroll to Texas Tech hurts on the interior. 

11. SAM HOUSTON BEARKATS

The defensive line was one of the strengths of the team last year. 

12. UTEP MINERS 

Maurice Westmoreland is one of the top pass rushers in Conference USA. 

13. NORTH TEXAS MEAN GREEN 

Roderick Brown is a stud – the rest is up for debate. The Mean Green need their transfer additions to hit.