All-Conference first-teamers Jordan Guerad (Louisville) and Sterling Webb (Missouri) left for the Power Four, leaving A 585-pound hole atop the 2024 CUSA DT Rankings. Yet, two returning second-teamers fill the void, along with the rest of a talented top 10.
CUSA 2024 DT Rankings
10) Darrell Prater, Jacksonville State Gamecocks
With Devin Baldwin off to Memphis, the Gamecocks will rely on redshirt sophomore Darrell Prater to anchor their interior. At 6’3″ and 300 pounds, Prater has the size to overpower opposing linemen, and he did at times in 2023.
He finished with 14 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and a sack, but with a full complement of reps, the Jacksonville DT should dwarf those numbers in 2024.
9) Tylon Dunlap, Kennesaw State Owls
Georgia State transfer Tylon Dunlap beat out incumbent starter Adam Watkins for the starting DT role opposite Thomarius Walker. Dunlap began his career as an EDGE but slowly transitioned to a full-time interior defender in 2023.
In nine games last season, Dunlap produced 12 tackles, one sack, and one pass breakup. With another offseason to hone his craft on the inside, Dunlap should be able to impose his athletic gifts on CUSA linemen.
8) Terrion Thompson, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
At 6’0″ and 286 pounds, Terrion Thompson is an absolute boulder in the middle of Western Kentucky’s defense. Don’t take that to mean he’s immobile; Thompson is one of the best pass-rushing nose tackles in the conference despite recording two sacks last year.
He does most of his damage in the ground game due to the nature of his position (five TFLs), but with offenses paying Hosea Wheeler and Jayden Loving more attention in 2024, Thompson could enjoy a career year.
7) Chris Boti, Liberty Flames
Despite standing 6’1″ and 270 pounds, Chris Boti is one of the most imposing pass rushers in the CUSA. He has the raw power to bully linemen into the QB’s lap, the quickness to cross their faces, and the high motor to finish second or third-effort attempts.
MORE: Conference USA Strength of Schedule
Kendy Charles’ departure to Duke opens the door for Boti to become a more well-rounded DT and surpass his 15 tackles and 2.5 sacks from last season.
6) Bryce Dixon, Liberty Flames
While Boti proved to be a dominant pass rusher in 2023, Bryce Dixon secured the defensive front for the Flames.
Although it was his first year starting, the true sophomore played — by far — the most snaps at the position, generating 35 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, three PBUs, and a forced fumble.
Given another year to expand his pass-rush arsenal, expect Dixon to be an even more impactful disruptor from nose tackle.
5) Jeramy Passmore, FIU Panthers
A lack of year-over-year stability has certainly made Jeramy Passmore’s job more difficult, but it hasn’t stopped him from producing. He spent a year at Indiana before transferring to FIU in 2021.
That season, he rotated at DT before splitting his time at EDGE in 2022. Then, last year, Passmore saw nearly equal snaps in the B gap, over tackle, and outside tackle.
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The result was 26 tackles, four TFLs, and 2.5 sacks for the 6’3″ and 280-pound DL. Clearly, the Panthers value his versatility, but they’ll need to find a consistent role for Passmore to truly unlock his potential this season.
4) Thomarius Walker, Kennesaw State Owls
Thomariius Walker is as violent a 6’1″ and 305-pound DT as you’ll find on the collegiate stage. With the Owls redshirting many of their top players last season to preserve a year of eligibility, Walker appeared in only four games. He still put up 17 tackles and a sack, but for a better indication of his ability, look at his 2022 campaign at West Florida:
- First-team All-Gulf Shore Conference
- Helped power the team to the Division II Semifinals
- Recorded 39 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks
3) Jayden Loving, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Loving transferred to WKU after two seasons at Bethune-Cookman, where he made a name for himself with the Wildcats. In his final year at BCU, he racked up 39 tackles, seven TFLs, and 4.5 sacks, using his 6’2″ and 308-pound frame to his advantage.
It didn’t take long for him to adapt to FBS play, as Loving totaled 36 tackles, three TFLs, two sacks, and two PBUs. Year 2 on The Hill should see him take an even bigger leap, solidifying his role as a disruptive force on WKU’s defensive front.
2) Jay Hardy, Liberty Flames
Standing 6’3″ and 310 pounds, Jay Hardy is one of the biggest DTs in the conference — it’s easy to see why he began his career at Auburn. In spite of some tackling issues, Hardy filled the stat sheet last season, registering 31 tackles, five TFLs, two sacks, and a PBU.
With Dixon occupying the pivot, Hardy benefitted from 1-on-1s as a pass rusher, pressuring QBs at a high rate.
1) Hosea Wheeler, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Lombardi Award Watch List member. 2023 All-CUSA Second Team. 2024 CUSA Preseason Watch List. It’s safe to say Hosea Wheeler isn’t flying under the radar entering the 2024 season.
The 6’4″, 300-pound DT seized the moment under the national spotlight against Ohio State last year, racking up a sack, a forced fumble, and an interception.
KEEP READING: 2024 Conference USA Power Rankings
Across 13 games (11 starts), Wheeler made his presence known, tallying 42 tackles. He needs to become a more efficient pressure generator, but after working with pass-rush coach Aaron Day this offseason, Wheeler is primed to elevate his game and solidify his status as the top defensive tackle in CUSA.
2024 CUSA DT Rankings | 11-20
11) Zion Nason, Louisiana Tech
12) James Gillespie, Middle Tennessee State
13) David Blay, Louisiana Tech
14) Damonte Smith, Middle Tennessee State
15) Dylan Brown, Jacksonville State
16) Matthew Aribisala, Sam Houston
17) Cole Gustafson, FIU
18) Tevita Tafuna, UTEP
19) Cole Schnettgoecke, New Mexico State
20) Sione Tonga’uiha, UTEP
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