Oklahoma Sooners Defensive Line Earns National Recognition as One of PFF’s Top Units Heading into the 2025 Football Season
The Oklahoma Sooners football program has always prided itself on excellence, and in 2025, that legacy continues with a formidable defensive line that has garnered national attention. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), the Sooners boast one of the best defensive lines in the country heading into the upcoming season. This recognition doesn’t come as a surprise to those closely following Brent Venables’ rebuild of Oklahoma’s defensive identity, which has been a focal point since his return to Norman.
The defensive line is arguably the most vital unit in Venables’ aggressive, gap-sound scheme. It sets the tone for the rest of the defense, and in 2025, Oklahoma appears to have assembled a rotation brimming with size, speed, and depth. A combination of experienced veterans, breakout underclassmen, and impact transfers has positioned the Sooners to dominate the trenches, a stark contrast from some of their defensive struggles in past years.
Leading the charge is returning star defensive tackle Jacob Lacey, who opted to come back for his final season. Lacey was instrumental in 2024, registering career-highs in tackles for loss, sacks, and pressures. He has transformed into a technician on the interior, using a blend of quick hands and exceptional leverage to defeat double teams and clog running lanes. His leadership off the field is equally invaluable, setting the standard in the locker room and on the practice field.
Alongside Lacey is junior Jonah Laulu, a freakishly athletic interior lineman who emerged as a dominant force late last season. Laulu’s ability to collapse the pocket from the inside has made him a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. At 6-foot-5 and over 290 pounds, his agility is rare for someone of his size. His offseason focus has been on refining his pad level and anchoring more consistently against the run, and early reports from spring camp suggest that he’s made noticeable strides.
On the edge, the Sooners may have the best one-two punch in the Big 12—if not the nation—with senior Ethan Downs and sophomore R Mason Thomas. Downs, a relentless edge-setter with a high motor, has become a household name in Norman. He plays with violent hands, exceptional pursuit, and a knack for making plays behind the line of scrimmage. Downs recorded 9 sacks and 14 tackles for loss in 2024, and scouts believe he could hear his name called early in the 2026 NFL Draft if he replicates or exceeds that production.
Thomas, on the other hand, is the rising star of the group. After flashing as a true freshman, he exploded in the second half of last season, finishing with 6.5 sacks and displaying a natural bend and speed rush that’s nearly impossible to coach. Venables has raved about his work ethic and his hunger to improve. Strength coach Jerry Schmidt noted that Thomas added nearly 15 pounds of muscle during the offseason without losing any of his elite burst, which only adds to the excitement surrounding his development.
Behind the front four is a wave of rotational depth that gives Oklahoma arguably the deepest defensive line group they’ve had in over a decade. Sophomore Ashton Sanders has been a revelation since transferring in, offering versatility to play both the 3-tech and the nose depending on the front. Redshirt freshman Derrick LeBlanc has started to turn heads as well, showcasing a blend of twitch and power that could earn him meaningful snaps early in the season.
Another name worth noting is transfer edge rusher Tyler Baron, formerly of Tennessee. Baron brings SEC experience and a mature, polished game to the rotation. He tallied five sacks and eight tackles for loss last year in Knoxville and now joins a room where he won’t have to be “the guy” but can thrive in sub-packages and pressure situations. His presence allows Venables and defensive coordinator Ted Roof to get creative with exotic fronts and blitz packages.
Recruiting has also played a significant role in the defensive line’s rise. The 2024 class included several highly touted prospects like David Stone and Jayden Jackson, both of whom are expected to push for playing time in 2025. Stone, in particular, was a massive recruiting win for the Sooners. The 5-star defensive lineman brings elite-level athleticism, a relentless motor, and a desire to develop under Venables’ guidance. While still a freshman, Stone is already drawing comparisons to some of the best interior linemen in recent memory due to his instincts and physical tools.
The group’s cohesion and chemistry are perhaps its most underrated traits. Players have spoken frequently about the unity within the room, often crediting position coach Todd Bates for fostering a competitive yet supportive culture. Bates, known as one of the top defensive line developers in college football, has been instrumental in mentoring both veterans and newcomers. His philosophy emphasizes fundamentals, accountability, and relentless pursuit, all of which are evident when watching Oklahoma’s defensive line work.
Statistically, the Sooners’ front saw significant improvements last season. Oklahoma ranked top 20 nationally in sacks and top 25 in tackles for loss, numbers that were dramatically better than in 2022 or 2023. More importantly, the defensive line helped the Sooners hold opponents under 3.9 yards per carry, a critical metric that reflects dominance at the point of attack. Analysts have taken note, with several publications projecting Oklahoma as one of the few teams in the country capable of neutralizing elite offensive lines.
PFF’s ranking not only reflects the individual talent on the roster but also the scheme’s alignment with that talent. Venables’ use of simulated pressures, creepers, and hybrid fronts allows for confusion and disruption, keeping offensive lines off balance. The defensive line doesn’t just rush blindly—it attacks with purpose, using coordinated games and stunts to generate pressure. This marriage between scheme and personnel is why many believe Oklahoma is poised to contend in the expanded 2025 College Football Playoff format.
Moreover, Oklahoma’s defensive line is built to endure the rigors of a full season. With such quality depth, the Sooners can rotate bodies without a significant drop-off in performance. That will prove invaluable in November and beyond, when injuries and fatigue typically take their toll. It also allows the team to stay aggressive late in games, continuing to pressure quarterbacks and disrupt rhythm without compromising execution.
The buzz around the program is palpable. After a solid 2024 season that saw Oklahoma narrowly miss out on the playoff, the expectations have risen. Much of that confidence stems from belief in the defensive front. Coaches around the Big 12 have privately remarked that Oklahoma’s D-line is “legit scary,” noting that their physicality and discipline force teams to change game plans entirely.
NFL scouts have also been frequent visitors to Norman practices this spring. At least three members of the defensive line are seen as draftable prospects, and that number could grow if younger players like Thomas or Stone continue to ascend. Lacey and Downs are likely to garner Senior Bowl invites, while Laulu’s measurables and athletic upside make him a prime candidate for postseason showcases and combine testing.
The standard has been set, and the bar is high. Venables has made it clear that he expects this group to lead not just statistically but emotionally. “Our defensive line is the engine,” he said during spring media day. “If we want to be special, it starts up front. They know it. And they’ve embraced that challenge.”
As the 2025 season approaches, Oklahoma fans have plenty of reasons to be optimistic. The Sooners appear to be combining elite recruiting, experienced coaching, and top-end development in the trenches. The result? A defensive line that is not just good on paper but terrifying in pads. With that kind of firepower up front, Oklahoma could be on the verge of a true return to national championship contention.
PFF’s recognition isn’t just a preseason accolade—it’s a warning shot to the rest of the college football world. Oklahoma’s defense, long seen as a liability during the late Big 12 years, now looks like a legitimate strength. And at the heart of that transformation is a defensive line that’s hungry, deep, and ready to wreak havoc from the first snap to the final whistle.
