This year's defensive line class is regarded as one of the deepest position groups, headlined by Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, who could be drafted No. 1 overall. But the most productive player, statistically, is Marshall's Mike Green.
"I think what sets me apart is my pass rushing ability," Green told reporters Wednesday at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. "I'm also good in run defense and I just got a lot of tools in my bag when it comes down to moves that I can do and how I could defend the run."
Green's 17 sacks in the 2024 season not only led the FBS -- it was tied for the sixth most in a single season and the most by a player since Alabama's Will Anderson had 17.5 in 2021. Green (6-3, 251) doesn't model his game after a specific player, he picks different traits from players he watches.
"I think I can show flashes of Nik Bonitto's speed, Will Anderson's physicality," he said. "I'm versatile. I'm like Micah [Parsons], how he's able to line up in different formations and things like that. It's not just one person that I think I model my game after, I show flashy traits here and there."
Pro Buckeyes
Change is inevitable in the NFL. For Ohio State's Jack Sawyer, that first change could be as simple as moving out of his home state. Sawyer, who grew up in Pickerington, OH, was the state's No. 1 recruit in 2021 and the No. 4 recruit in the country.
"I think I'm bringing toughness, that competitive drive and leadership," he said. "So whatever team drafts me, they're going to get one of the hardest workers in this draft. That's really what I'm about, that's how I was raised -- going in the locker room, putting your head down and busting your ass every single day."
Another likely change on the horizon for Sawyer will be not lining up alongside fellow edge rusher JT Tuimoloau, a projected top-75 pick. They combined for 21.5 sacks and 5 forced fumbles in the 2024 season. Tuimoloau led the Big Ten with 12.5 sacks and Sawyer led the conference with 3 forced fumbles.
"I think we got a lot of similarities, and we got some differences," Sawyer said of Tuimoloau. "JT is a hell of a player and it's been so much fun playing alongside him for four years. We were just talking about last night, it's going to be weird lining up and not being across from each other for the first time since high school."
Grant Bringing Power and Finesse to NFL
Defensive tackle Kenneth Grant (6-3, 342), despite registering 3 sacks in his final season at Michigan and 6.5 in his three seasons with the Wolverines, believes he can be three-down lineman in the NFL.
"I'm a three-down player, for sure," Grant said Wednesday at the Combine. "I can rush the pass with strength and a little bit of finesse. Most guys think I'm just a run stopper, but I'm super athletic and have great capabilities in the run game."
Not considered as polished of a pass rusher by NFL analysts as his former Michigan running mate and projected top pick, DT Mason Graham, Grant's physicality has allowed him to stand out early in the draft process.
"My game starts with power," Grant said. "It is always about the power, which you can build up to finesse moves. I think it all goes hand and hand, and I think I can bring that to the next level."
Quiet Demeanor, Loud Game
During his five seasons at Texas, DL Alfred Collins (6-5, 302) had a reputation as a violent defender with a quiet demeanor off the field.
"I am very quiet and loving," Collins said Wednesday at the Combine. "But at the same time, I am a hard-working dude. I'm a culture guy. … Everybody is different in their style, but I feel like if I continue to be myself, I will be successful."
Collins accounted for 55 tackles, 1 sack and 7 pass defenses in his final season for the Longhorns. Projected to be a Day 2 pick in April's draft, if the Jets select Collins, he believes he would be great fit next to All-Pro DT Quinnen Williams.
"It would be an honor to play next to somebody great like Quinnen," Collins said. "I can learn from him and he would better my game. I still need to elevate my game to be able to play with him, but it would be really cool to be there."
