Spring football is on the horizon for the 13 FBS programs in the state of Texas and that means it is time to shift focus toward the 2026 season and rank the 10-best players at each position, continuing with defensive tackles.

The Lone Star State sent 10 programs to bowl games and two to the College Football Playoff in a historic year for college teams here in Texas. Five of the 13 finished inside the AP Top 25 and only Baylor, Sam Houston, and UTEP failed to reach the postseason. Nine of the 13 teams finished with a winning record. 

Previous rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | EDGE

1. A.J. Holmes, Texas Tech 

2025 stats: 35 tackles, 9 TFL, 4.5 sacks

Holmes has quietly been one of the best and most consistent defensive tackles in Texas for two straight years. He was Houston’s highest-graded defensive lineman in 2024 under Shiel Wood at Houston and then followed him to Texas Tech for 2025, where he took on a larger role midway through the season after an injury to Skyler Gill-Howard. Holmes took advantage, ending the year as a PFF All-American and an All-Big 12 Third Team pick. 

2. Hero Kanu, Texas

2025 stats: 30 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks

The former Ohio State transfer emerged as one of Texas’ key pieces along the defensive line and keeping him in Austin for another season was a high priority for the Longhorn staff. Fifth-year seniors are worth their weight in gold at the defensive tackle spot and Hero will serve as the anchor of newly hired defensive coordinator Will Muschamp’s defense. 

3. Ansel Din-Mbuh, TCU 

2025 stats: 24 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 2 sacks 

Din-Mbuh started 12 games for TCU in his first year on campus after transferring from Washington State, where he was the Pac-12’s Defensive Line Top Performer in the 2024 season. The senior is an Aledo native who forms an excellent 1-2 punch on the inside of the Horned Frogs’ defense alongside Markis Deal, who narrowly missed this list. We expect Din-Mbuh to be even better in 2026 because of his Big 12 experience. 

4. Khalil Laufau, Houston 

2025 stats: 39 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 FF

Laufau started 12 games for Houston in his first season in Third Ward after transferring from Washington State, where he played in 19 games over two seasons. Laufau proved himself to be one of the better run-stuffing defensive tackles in the Big 12 and he’ll need to be even better in 2026 to help replace Carlos Allen’s production. Laufau is a big-bodied and versatile defensive lineman who can play the three-technique in a four-man front or outside in an odd-man front. 

5. Mateen Ibirogba, Texas Tech 

2025 stats: 21 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 FF (Wake Forest)

On3.com listed Ibirogba as the top interior defensive lineman in the transfer portal in the last cycle and he’ll pair well with Holmes and a few big bodies in the Red Raiders’ defensive tackle rotation. The Wake Forest transfer was graded out as one of the five best players on the Demon Deacons’ defense last year while playing 451 snaps. His PFF grade of 77.3 was second-highest on this list behind his teammate, Holmes, who led the state with a grade of 84.8.  

6. C.J. Mims, Texas A&M 

2025 stats: 43 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 FF (North Carolina)

The 300-pound transfer from North Carolina should help the Wrecking Crew replace nose tackle Albert Regis. Mims, who began his career at East Carolina, was one of the bright spots for a Tar Heels defense that improved as the season went on under Bil Belichick. Mims is a disruptive force in the middle who can occupy blockers and free up linebackers. He recorded more tackles in 2025 than any other player on the list, however, so he’s not simply a space-eater.  

7. Hosea Wheeler, Baylor 

2025 stats: 31 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 FR (Indiana)

The Bears hope to improve their run defense under new defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman and landing Wheeler in the portal was a great start. He appeared in all 15 games and posted five starts for the national champions in 2025 and has nearly 50 games of experience under his belt, including 25 starts while at Western Kentucky. He was a first-team All-CUSA selection in 2024

8. Ian Geffrard, Texas

2025 stats: 26 tackles, 5.5 TFL (Arkansas)

A 12-game starter for the Razorbacks last year, Geffrard should bolster a resurgent defensive tackle room for the Horns in 2026. He’s played in 24 games over the last two seasons in the SEC and is a massive human, listed at 387 pounds last year. The Georgia native will occupy the A-gap for the Texas defense and allow linebackers to roam free. His 5.5 tackles for loss illustrate that he can also be a disruptive force in the backfield. 

9. Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder, SMU 

2025 stats: 13 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks (Kansas State)

SMU must replace its entire starting defensive line, including both Terry Webb and Jeffrey M’ba at defensive tackle. Alcorn-Crowder spent the last two seasons at Kansas State after starting his college career at Butler CC in the JUCO ranks. He’s a big, long player at 6-foot-6 and over 300 pounds and should slide into the starting lineup for newly hired defensive coordinator Maurice Crum. 

10. D.J. Hicks, Texas A&M 

2025 stats: 26 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 3 sacks 

The only player on this list with more tackles for loss last season than Hicks is Holmes, who ranks first. Hicks is a former five-star recruit who played a larger role in the defensive tackle rotation for the Aggies in his third year on campus, starting only twice before 2025. His upside was on display early in the season at Notre Dame when he recorded a season-high two tackles for loss in the win over Notre Dame. He tied a season-high for tackles in a game against Miami.