BEST DEFENSIVE TACKLES IN RUN DEFENSE 2026 NFL Draft

2026 BEST DEFENSIVE TACKLES IN RUN DEFENSE

The defensive trenches in college football have witnessed a plethora of impactful defensive tackles, especially those who've significantly stifled the opponent’s run game. Standout players like Vita Vea (Washington) and Da'Ron Payne (Alabama) have embodied this archetype in recent times, showcasing an exceptional blend of strength, awareness, and technique to obstruct rushing lanes and dismantle offensive game plans.

Delve into the data below to recognize and analyze the emerging defensive tackles in college football, adeptly constructing barriers against the run. Employing a wealth of metrics including run stops, tackles for loss, and gap integrity, explore how these indomitable defenders are anchoring their defensive lines and thwarting the ground assaults of their adversaries.

2026 Defensive Tackles ranked by RUN DEFENSE

RANK Player Pos Team TACKLING PASS RUSH RUN DEFENSE Rating
1

Lee
Hunter

DT
Texas Tech   Mascot
Texas Tech Mascot
64 74 80
82.1
2

DeMonte
Capehart

DT
Clemson   Mascot
Clemson Mascot
76 69 77
83.0
3

Keyon
Ware-Hudson

DT
Penn State   Mascot
Penn State Mascot
77 77 77
75.0
4

Zane
Durant

DT
Penn State   Mascot
Penn State Mascot
40 72 76
86.1
5

Dontay
Corleone

DT
Cincinnati   Mascot
Cincinnati Mascot
64 72 74
84.6
6

Jonathan
Jefferson

DT
SMU   Mascot
SMU Mascot
38 65 73
74.0
7

Darrell
Jackson Jr.

DT
Florida State   Mascot
Florida State Mascot
54 74 72
85.2
8

Stephiylan
Green

DT
Clemson   Mascot
Clemson Mascot
76 65 68
68.8
9

Bear
Alexander

DT
Oregon   Mascot
Oregon Mascot
55 70 63
79.3
10

Tywone
Malone Jr.

DT
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
45 56 58
67.3