It’s not easy to find a good defensive lineman. While sometimes it seems a defensive end is as tall as a tree, physically, a good one hardly grows on a tree, as the saying goes.
While putting this list together – by conference – we took several variables into account. In some cases, individuals below starred at defensive tackle or Bandit LB because that’s what his team needed him to do, but he is viewed as a better pure prospect at defensive end. Keep that in mind.
There are still several special FCS defensive ends returning this fall. Take a look, conference by conference:
BIG SKY
Elijah Ponder, Cal Poly, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: 52 tackles, 13 TFLs, 10 sacks, 17 hurries
Considered a returning All-American by several outlets, as well as a potential NFL Draft pick next year, Ponder has racked up 19.5 sacks and 31 tackles for loss during his career so far and undoubtedly will flesh out those numbers considerably in 2024. He also showed how athletic he was as a redshirt freshman in 2021 when he returned an interception 75 yards for a touchdown. There are so many good players to choose from in the Big Sky, starting with Ponder but also considering Brody Grebe (Montana State), Brayden Wilson (Weber State), and talented underclassman Marcus Howard (Northern Colorado) – just to name a few.
BIG SOUTH-OVC
Daniel Rickert, Tennessee Tech, Jr.
2023 STAT LINE: 49 tackles, 9 sacks, 14.5 TFLs, 3 passes broken up
Rickert will enter this fall as a redshirt junior and undoubtedly has an impressive two seasons ahead based on what he’s done. In 32 career games so far, he’s racked up 92 career tackles, 12 sacks, and 22 tackles for loss – and he was recognized on several all-conference teams last fall.
CAA
Dylan Ruiz, New Hampshire, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: 34 tackles, 8 TFLs, 4 sacks
Ruiz really made an impression last year when he posted 6 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and 1 sack against FBS Central Michigan in a win – effectively costing CMU a potential bowl berth. He went on to play like that all year. In 2022 he was equally effective for the Wildcats – leading the team in sacks and hurries, and No. 5 in the nation in sacks per game. Ruiz’s college teammate Josiah Silver and Richmond’s Jeremiah Grant are also special in the CAA, just to name a few.
IVY
Justin Townsend, Columbia, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: 29 tackles, 12 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, 3 passes defended
Townsend, a New Jersey native, was considered an All-Ivy League selection last year. After not playing as a freshman, which is very common at the Ivy League schools – which don’t use redshirts either – Townsend has racked up 21.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks coming into this fall.
MORE: 2024 Preseason Preview Central
MEAC
Elijah Williams, Morgan State, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: 50 tackles, 11 TFLs, 7 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
Williams is considered one of the top defensive end prospects in the FCS right now, and his production in college shows you why. He has 162 career tackles, 37 tackles for loss and 20 sacks. The 6-foot-3 defensive end has all the physical tools that people at the next level drool over. Don’t forget South Carolina State’s Jared Kirksey either.
MVFC
Dylan Hendricks, North Dakota State, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: 40 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, 3 passes defended
Hendricks is a great example of what North Dakota State identifies when it goes recruiting. The Wisconsin native suffered through injury issues early in his career but last year burst onto the scene and will be counted on once again in 2024.
NEC
Jorel Liverpool, Wagner, Jr.
2023 STAT LINE: 41 tackles, 10 TFLs, 3 sacks
Liverpool stands 6-foot-7 and was listed as an All-NEC performer by several media outlets last year. He played in six games as a freshman in 2022 but really burst onto the scene in 2023.
PATRIOT
Matt Jaworski, Fordham, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: 44 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, 9 sacks, 3 forced fumbles
Jaworski has been extremely active for three years already at Fordham. Even in his freshman season of 2021, he was a pain in the rear for opponents. His career numbers (107 tackles, 26 TFLs, 17.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles) are impressive, and he was named an All-Patriot First Team performer last year.
PIONEER
Finn Claypool, Drake, Jr.
2023 STAT LINE: 57 tackles, 33.5 TFLs, 20 sacks, 5 forced fumbles
Claypool plays at Drake – which is officially non-scholarship within the Pioneer Football League – but last year’s conference title team got to play against some of the top scholarship FCS programs in national champion South Dakota State, North Dakota State (in the playoffs) and North Dakota. Claypool faced good competition and is considered a future pro prospect like Eric Saubert was when he was drafted out of Drake in 2017.
SOCON
Luke Clark, Furman, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: 30 tackles, 7 TFLs, 6 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
Clark stars at the Bandit position for the Paladins, but with his 6-foot-3, 235-pound frame he is obviously considered one of those multi-faceted players who could play on the defensive line or drop back into pass coverage because of his athleticism. He has had an impressive career (119 tackles, 17.5 TFLs, 12 sacks, 4 forced fumbles).
SOUTHLAND
Joe Mason, Nicholls, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: 29 tackles, 6 TFLs, 4.5 sacks
Mason came over from Louisiana Tech after three seasons, playing in 25 games at his former school – posting a four-tackle game once against FBS Rice. Since transferring to Nicholls, he made a name for himself – becoming an All-Southland selection last year.
SWAC
Ckelby Givens, Southern, Jr.
2023 STAT LINE: 61 tackles, 21 TFLs, 7 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 8 hurries
Givens is a fascinating potential pro prospect with two years left of eligibility. He did enter the transfer portal briefly in December 2023 but pulled back when he realized he would also be discovered playing in the SWAC – as many prospects have found. Givens has put up big numbers at the defensive tackle position while at Southern, but he also is well-liked as a potential defensive end pro prospect.
UAC
David Walker, Central Arkansas, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: 57 tackles, 18 TFLs, 8.5 sacks
Walker was an FCS national leader in tackles for loss and was named to several All-American teams by multiple media outlets. He originally signed with Southern Arkansas – a Division II program – but transferred to UCA before the 2022 season. A multi-dimensional player, he has starred as a Bandit linebacker – but has picked up accolades as a DL. Career numbers at UCA: 40 TFLs, 20.5 sacks. Don’t forget Utah Tech’s Syrus Webster – another big star at the position.
INDEPENDENT
Tyreke Brown, Sacred Heart, Grad.
2023 STAT LINE: 46 tackles, 10 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles
Brown was All-NEC last year before Sacred Heart moved to the FCS Independent ranks. He has 102 career tackles and 23.5 TFLs in 37 career games with the Pioneers.
