Jack Follman's 2023 Preseason Top Pac-12 D-Linemen

Jack Follman’s 2023 Preseason Top Pac-12 D-Linemen

It's close at the top between Bralen Trice and Laiatu Latu, and don’t sleep on Brandon Dorlus

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Posted on June 20, 2023


  By Jack Follman, SuperWest Sports

It’s a very strong year going in for edge rushers in the Pac-12.

There’s a debate about who is the best between Bralen Trice and Laiatu Latu and don’t sleep on Brandon Dorlus taking another step up.

There’s also a fresh group of young linemen who look ready to break out, creating a really interesting mix with a lot of depth going into 2023 for Pac-12 defensive linemen.

Here’s my preseason list of the Top 12.

1. Bralen Trice, Junior, Washington

Washington DE Bralen Trice | Sports Illustrated

Trice came on really hard in 2022 and led the nation in pressures. He has First Round NFL Draft potential and should compete to lead the nation in sacks.

2. Laiatu Latu, Senior, UCLA

Bruin DL Laiatu Latu | Steve Cheng/Bruin Report Online

Latu had 10.5 sacks last year and probably could have jumped to the NFL. He’s probably the best pure pass rusher in the Pac-12.

3. Brandon Dorlus, Senior, Oregon

Oregon DE Brandon Dorlus | Troy Wayrynen/USA TODAY Sports

A big-time veteran who could be in the NFL, Dorlus is versatile, powerful, and athletic and gives opposing offensive lines headaches.

4. Junior Tafuna, Junior, Utah

Utah DL Junior Tafuna | Scott Stevens/247Sports

Tafuna has been good in his career so far and feels like he’s ready to be great. Probably the best true DT in the Conference.

5. Brennan Jackson, Senior, Washington State

Cougar DL Brennan Jackson | Godofredo A. Vasquez/AP

Jackson is a well-rounded, experienced edge who can defend the run and get sacks. The leader of the Cougar defense.

6. Ron Stone Jr., Senior, Washington State

WSU defensive lineman Ron Stone Jr. | Washington State Athletics

Pretty much everything about Jackson applies to the guy on the other side of the WSU defensive line. He should get plenty of sacks in 2023.

7. James Rawls, Senior, Oregon State

An unsung hero up front for the Beavers. Rawls is a big part of them breaking through last year.

8. Tuli Letuligasenoa, Senior, Washington

Washington DL Tuli Letuligasenoa | M. Samek/247Sports

The veteran of the Husky defensive line, Letuligasenoa has been a borderline All-Pac-12 player throughout his career and could be a First-Team level player to close it out.

9. Van Fillinger, Junior, Utah

Utah DE Van Fillinger | Spenser Heaps/Deseret News

Fillinger looks poised to be the next really good Utah defensive end. He’s a scary pass rusher who is still putting it all together.

10. Simote Pepa, Sophomore, Utah

Utah DL Simote Pepa | Scott Stevens/247Sports

Pepa was powerful as a freshman and has a good chance to be the best defensive lineman in the Conference by the end of his career.

Four sacks as a 6-foot-3 345-pound freshman is nothing to mess with.

11. Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Senior, Washington

Washington Edge ZTF | Joe Nicholson/USA TODAY Sports

It seems unlikely ZTF will be able to return to his insane 2020 form. That doesn’t mean he still isn’t one of the best pass rushers in the Conference.