As we get ready for college football’s bowl games to get started, the focus of many fans is beginning to turn to NFL prospects playing in the games. The draft order for the 2025 NFL Draft is beginning to take shape. And prospects, should they choose to play in their bowl games, have another chance to make a strong impression on scouts.
Earlier this week, we looked at the top EDGE players coming to the 2025 NFL Draft. Let’s stay on the defensive line but move inside to look at the top interior threats. The top two names on our list were teammates in Ann Arbor the past three years.
Mason Graham
Michigan 6' 3", 320 lbs 24 solo tackles, 3.5 sacksGraham has a chance to be a top-five pick as an interior defensive lineman, which is rare. He’s been a strong contributor for Michigan for three years, posting nine career sacks. He has one pass defended in each of his three seasons and has one forced fumble on his resume. Everything about his tape is elite: excellent first step, explosive at the point of attack, powerful hands, and the ability to stand up against the run. He’s a stud.
Kenneth Grant
Michigan 6' 3", 339 lbs 18 solo tackles, 3.0 sacksGrant, a junior, has been a two-year contributor for Michigan. He’s a disruptive player who has freakish athleticism for a player his size. He had nine career passes defended and one interception from the defensive tackle position. He has great quickness and recognizes and attacks run plays well. He’ll likely be another first-round pick out of Michigan.
TJ Sanders
South Carolina 6' 4", 290 lbs 29 solo tackles, 4.0 sacksSanders, a junior, has been a regular contributor at South Carolina for two seasons. He has 9.5 career sacks and 6 passes defended from a defensive tackle position. His best asset is long arms that help him break up pass attempts and get off blocks quickly. He also has quick hands and has good twitch for a player who might be a little on the light side for an interior defensive lineman.
Walter Nolen
Mississippi 6' 3", 305 lbs 26 solo tackles, 6.5 sacksNolen, a junior, is a three-year contributor for Ole Miss who elevated his game nicely this season. He set career highs in tackles, solo tackles, passes defended and sacks this season. Nolen is known as a strong player who is still raw in many parts of the game. He’s a good athlete who a team might consider flexing to a defensive end position at the next level because of his build, but he would need to refine his pass rush moves to do that effectively.
Derrick Harmon
Oregon 6' 5", 310 lbs 24 solo tackles, 5.0 sacks
Harmon played three years at Michigan State before transferring to Oregon, where he had an eye-opening senior campaign. He forced two fumbles and was credited with two pass breakups this season for the undefeated No. 1 team in the country. He’s built like a defensive end and his size inside could be a problem for guards at the next level.
Tyleik Williams
Ohio State 6' 3", 327 lbs 9 solo tackles, 2.5 sacksWilliams’ production fell off in his senior season, which may lead some to be down on his draft stock. He had 11.5 career sacks and nine passes defended from the defensive tackle position. He’s a compact, powerful player who can play a true nose or 3-technique. He plays the run well and has good hand speed.
