Projecting College Football's Top 8 Defensive Stars in 2025

The hype train arrives earliest for quarterbacks during the college football offseason, but star defenders deserve their spotlight, too.

Looking ahead to the 2025 campaign, a handful of All-American players are returning to school. While that group features big names such as Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, lesser-known star talents like Pitt linebacker Kyle Louis are also back.

It's safe to say expectations won't be falling for this crowd.

The choices are subjective but based on a player's previous production and early projections for 2025.

In all likelihood, Clemson will have several All-ACC players on the 2025 defense. Top linebackers Wade Woodaz and Sammy Brown, for example, both collected at least 80 tackles last season.

But their difficult job is a bit easier because of Peter Woods.

Listed at 6'3" and 315 pounds, he's a space-eating force on the Tigers' defensive line. He impressed as a freshman two years ago, then collected 28 tackles with 8.5 for loss (three sacks) in 2024 as Clemson reclaimed the ACC crown and reached the College Football Playoff.

Woods, a natural D-tackle who can slide outside, brings a special mix of versatility, power and production.

And now, time for the encore.

Indiana put together a remarkable 2024 campaign under new coach Curt Cignetti, who elevated the Hoosiers to the best season in their history. The program had never before cracked 10 wins, yet IU posted an 11-2 record and made the CFP.

Mikail Kamara followed Cignetti from James Madison and quickly became a standout in Bloomington.

After racking up 53 tackles with 18.5 for loss (7.5 sacks) with JMU in 2023, he amassed 47 stops with 15 in the backfield (10 sacks). He was named a third-team AP All-American.

Kamara will be the cornerstone of a 2025 roster focused on proving IU wasn't a one-year wonder.

Caleb Downs, similarly, made a terrific impression after transferring to a new program last season.

He picked up a little hardware in the process, too.

Downs starred as a true freshman at Alabama in 2023, generating 107 tackles and two interceptions. But after Nick Saban retired, Downs hit the portal and landed at Ohio State. He posted 82 stops with 7.5 for loss and two picks, playing a key role on the Buckeyes' national championship-winning team.

Likely destined for the 2026 NFL draft, Downs will first have an opportunity to become a rare three-time AP All-American.

After a 7-0 start, Pitt tumbled off the national radar with an ugly six-game losing skid to close the season.

One major bright spot, however, was Kyle Louis. The linebacker didn't play much during his freshman year in 2023 but fully capitalized on his increased role as a sophomore.

Among his 101 tackles, he tallied 15.5 for loss and seven sacks. Louis also snagged four interceptions—returning one for a touchdown in a rout of Syracuse—broke up three passes, forced a fumble and even blocked an extra point on special teams.

Pitt's defense has much to improve collectively, but Louis is an active, disruptive presence from the second level.

No matter if you prefer watching college football or the NFL, you'll want to remember Dylan Stewart's name.

During his South Carolina debut, he forced a game-changing fumble to spark a win over Old Dominion. That highlight-reel moment set the stage for a terrific freshman year.

Stewart had a seemingly modest 23 tackles yet recorded 10.5 for loss with 6.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.

When he made a play, he really made a play.

Now that All-SEC standout Kyle Kennard is headed to the NFL, Stewart will be the featured pass-rusher. And if 2024 was any indication, he'll be a prized prospect once eligible in a couple of years.

Sure, they could be highlighted separately. But you're going to see them together an awful lot anyway.

Both second-team AP All-Americans in 2024, Anthony Hill Jr. and Michael Taaffe form the backbone of a Texas defense in transition. The unit needs to replace its interior rotation up front, along with linebacker David Gbenda, corner Jahdae Barron and safety Andrew Mukuba. There isn't any panic, though.

Hill is a fast, physical linebacker who notched 113 tackles with 16.5 in the backfield and eight sacks last season. He also forced four fumbles and nabbed one pick.

Taaffe patrolled the back end at safety, making 78 stops (5.5 for loss) and breaking up 10 passes with two interceptions.

Genuine playmakers are tough to find on defense, yet Texas boasts two of the best in the country.

Last season? Not so great. We can acknowledge that.

Back in 2023, however, Tacario Davis was an absolute lockdown corner for a surprising 10-win Arizona team. He tallied 15 pass breakups and an interception that season.

Now reunited with former Arizona coach Jedd Fisch at Washington, Davis is a prime bounce-back candidate in 2025.

Davis, who stands an imposing 6'4" on the outside, can become one of the most feared cornerbacks in the nation. His blend of stature and instincts is not easy to find at the position.