The initial hype of the early signing period has died down, but there was a ton of talent to explore and so much so we are breaking it down by position. We have already dove into the top five quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive tackles, interior offensive linemen and edge defenders to sign with Big Ten teams and now we want to break down a position that Ohio State actually attacked in a meaningful way at defensive line.
The Big Ten actually did not dominate in recruiting this position, only snagging five of the top 25 defensive linemen in the country and that is including the new teams via expansion. This shouldn’t be surprising to anyone who is watching the bowl games that a majority of Big Ten schools are undersized and underwhelming on the interior of the defensive line.
Let’s now dive into the top five defensive linemen to sign with Big Ten teams during the early signing period according to 247Sports. Also, other sites may have some of the players assigned to different positions, but we’re just going by how 247Sports has them classified.
5
Dillan Johnson, Wisconsin
Player Bio
Four-Star
School: Wisconsin
Height: 6-foot, 2-inches
Weight: 287 pounds
City: Joliet, IL
Dillan Johnson 6’2” 285 DT Joliet Catholic Academy, Illinois has just committed to Northwestern. Big catch for the Wildcats he is a dominating inside presence with enormous strength, quickness and a great attitude. 4.0 GPA.@DillanMJohnson1 Dillan is a 4.* talent. B-430 pic.twitter.com/JlLDOdnTC7
— Tom Lemming (@LemmingReport) May 15, 2023
4
Ernest Willor Jr., Wisconsin
Player Bio
Four-Star
School: Wisconsin
Height: 6-foot, 3-inches
Weight: 255 pounds
City: Towson, MD
Ernest Willor Jr
Concordia Prep
C/O 24’ 5 ⭐️
Edge Rusher
Varsity pic.twitter.com/Xq1WOwkTOA— Maryland High School Sports (@MarylandHigh) October 28, 2023
3
Liam Andrews, Penn State
Top247 DL Liam Andrews is in the fold after he's introduced by Sean Clifford. Andrews' dad says when the family filled out the recruiting questionnaire in September 2021, they knew Andrew was good, but didn't realize he was 'Penn State good'https://t.co/NEJDkq9C56
— Daniel Gallen (@danieljtgallen) December 20, 2023
Player Bio
Four-Star
School: Penn State
Height: 6-foot, 5-inches
Weight: 260 pounds
City: Brookline, MA
Four-star Liam Andrews has signed with Penn State.
Andrews is rated as the No. 116 prospect in the nation and the No. 2 Massachusetts.
James Franklin: “I can’t express to you Liam, how excited we are for your future.” pic.twitter.com/sq4yR6xC5S
— Alex Rocco (@AlexRocco13_) December 20, 2023
2
Jericho Johnson, Oregon
4-star DL Jericho Johnson commits to Oregon Ducks https://t.co/nRADu2ctjg pic.twitter.com/yb0XTiCSom
— Ducks Wire (@Ducks_Wire) December 25, 2023
Player Bio
Four-Star
School: Oregon
Height: 6-foot, 4-inches
Weight: 300 pounds
City: Fairfield, CA
PODCAST: #Oregon lands All-American DL Jericho Johnson. @DucksDish https://t.co/RN2Uh8GgyN
— Max Torres (@mtorressports) December 23, 2023
1
Aydin Breland, Oregon
Oregon is going to need guys like Aydin Breland to have immediate impact if all of their targets at DT end up elsewhere in the portal.
Oregon had Dorlus who is off to the NFL and have now missed on Walter Nolen (Ole Miss) and Derrick Harmon (MSU) pic.twitter.com/Ec3rvg040p
— Mike Black (@MichaelBlack_FB) December 27, 2023
Player Bio
Five-Star
School: Oregon
Height: 6-foot, 5-inches
Weight: 290 pounds
City: Santa Ana, CA
WATCH: Oregon (@DSArivals) DT signee Aydin Breland sits down with reporters at the Under Armour Next All-America Game to discuss his recruitment and why he ultimately chose the Ducks@adamgorney | @RivalsFriedman | @JohnGarcia_Jr
🎥: https://t.co/eF7YwE6X9V pic.twitter.com/JotbRoCZla
— Rivals (@Rivals) December 29, 2023
