Opponent Rankings Week: The storylines for the top defensive linemen in 2025
The Rivals250 for the 2025 class has been updated, and now it’s time to break down each position. We start today with the defensive position and take a look at the four big storylines in the defensive line rankings.
New position rankings: Strong-side defensive end | Weak-side defensive end | Defensive tackle | Offensive tackle | Offensive guard | Center | Wide receiver | Tight end | Running back | All-purpose back | Pro-style quarterback | Dual Threaten the QB
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Rival Ranking Week
Sunday: Who should be No.1?
on Monday: Five-star countdown | Meet the new five-stars
Tuesday: New Rivals250 unveiled | Gorney position by position | Biggest riser
Wednesday: New offensive position rankings released | QB ranking breakdown | RB ranking breakdown | WR/TE ranking breakdown | OL ranking distribution
Thursday: New defensive position rankings released | DL ranking breakdown | LB ranking breakdown | DB ranking breakdown | ATH ranking breakdown
Friday: New state rankings released | Who is number one in each state?
Saturday: New Rivals250 Ranking Roundtable
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JAVION HILSON Earns Fifth Star
Florida State’s Javion Hilson becomes the third five-star defensive lineman in the 2025 cycle in this Rivals250 update.
The weak-side defensive end has the perfect combination of size and speed that proved too much for offensive linemen to handle last season. Hilson is extremely efficient and often disrupts play in the backcourt. He’s stronger than he looks, which might surprise some offensive linemen, and he’s only going to get stronger.
Hilson’s speed around the edge will be difficult for offensive linemen to counter, but since he is improving his hand skills and adding counters to his arsenal, it will be even harder for them to contain him.
Physical and technical improvements along with extra room to grow helped push Hilson over the top and into five-star territory.
Share your thoughts with FSU fans at TheosCEOLA.COM
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Big moves for defensive linemen in RIVALS250
Defensive linemen were among the players who saw the biggest rise in the latest Rivals250 update. Ohio State’s Jarquez Carter, TCU’s Chad Woodfork and Georgia’s Isaiah Gibson all moved up more than 90 spots in the Rivals250, while LSU’s Damien Shanklin and Texas’ Josiah Sharma both moved up 65 spots above.
Oklahoma State’s Trent Wilson moved up 46 spots in the Rivals250 and is now ranked as the No. 3 defensive tackle in the country. Current Auburn University’s Malik Autry also moved up 46 spots to No. 111 in the Rivals250. Texas’ Smith Orogbo caught the attention of the national analytics team as he heads into a big senior season and climbed 44 spots in the Rivals250.
Penn State’s Jayden Woods and Ohio State’s London Merritt also each moved up more than 35 spots in the Rivals250. Merritt is the eighth-ranked defensive lineman in Rivals250.
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Is it time for Terry and Griffin?
The recruitment of five-stars Justus Terry and Elijah Griffin is nearing completion. Terry has narrowed his choices to Alabama, Florida and Georgia, while Griffin is considering Miami, USC and Georgia.
However, at this point, both Peach State natives are widely expected to stay in-state and sign with the Bulldogs. Neither side has a firm decision date set, but they could announce their commitment as early as October or wait until the early signing period in December.
Regardless, this feels like a case of “when” rather than “if” for Terry and Griffin.
Share your thoughts with Georgia fans at UGASPORTS.COM
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Who is the next five star?
With Hilson joining the five-star ranks, there are now only three five-star defensive linemen in the 2025 Rivals250. At least four defensive linemen are typically selected in the first round of the NFL draft, so there will likely be at least one five-star defensive lineman in the 2025 class before the rankings are finalized.
Fortunately, there is no shortage of five-star candidates. On defense, Ohio State’s Zahir Mathis is on the verge of five-star right now. The same can be said for Michigan commit Nathaniel Marshall and Notre Dame commit Christopher Burgess Jr.
Isaiah Gibson continues to rise in the rankings, and that momentum could propel him to the fifth star spot, depending on how his senior season goes.
More five-star prospects should emerge in the fall, but these prospects have already caught our attention.
