The top of the 2024 AAC DT Rankings isn’t too different from last season, with several standouts returning. In fact, only one player in the top 10 joined their team via the transfer portal this offseason.
AAC 2024 DT Rankings
10) Latrell Jean, Temple Owls
Coming in at No. 10 in the 2024 AAC DT Rankings is Latrell Jean, a seasoned player who brings experience and consistency to Temple’s defensive front. After spending five years at FAU (the last two as a starter), Jean transferred to Temple. Standing at 6’3″ and 280 pounds, his presence on the field is hard to miss, and his production reflects his impact.
In 2023, Jean recorded 24 tackles, four tackles for loss (TFLs), and a sack while also notching the first interception of his career. His 2022 season was similarly productive, with 24 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks. Jean’s ability to consistently disrupt the backfield and contribute to the pass rush makes him a valuable asset for the Owls.
9) Kyle Lewis, Army Black Knights
Kyle Lewis made an immediate impact in his first year as a starter for Army in 2023. Recording 25 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and one sack, he established himself as a force from the A gap, generating consistent pressure. His leadership on and off the field was recognized by his teammates, who voted him as one of four team captains heading into the 2024 season, solidifying his role as a cornerstone of Army’s defense.
8) Rashad Cheney Jr., USF Bulls
Fresh off an honorable mention All-AAC selection, Rashad Cheney Jr. has made his mark as a key player for USF after transferring from Minnesota. In 2023, he tallied 32 tackles, ranking second among Bulls defensive linemen, and added 8.5 TFLs and a half-sack.
While he spent 2022 splitting time between the A and B gaps, Cheney found his stride playing more in the B gaps and on the edge in 2023, where his versatility and playmaking ability shined.
7) Blake Boenisch, Rice Owls
At 6’3″ and 332 pounds, it’s difficult to miss Blake Boenisch on the field. After splitting time between the A and B gaps in 2022, he primarily anchored the line at nose tackle in 2023, where he easily filled gaps and smothered ball carriers in the hole. Playing in 26 consecutive games since the start of the 2022 season, including 15 starts, Boenisch’s durability and reliability have made him an essential piece of Rice’s defensive strategy.
6) Brandon Brown, UTSA Roadrunners
The Outland Trophy is given annually to the best interior linemen in the nation — UTSA’s Brandon Brown made the award’s watch list this offseason. He enters his fourth year as a starter and is coming off a third-team All-AAC season. In a deep rotation, Brown racked up 20 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, one sack, forced a fumble, and recovered another.
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Brown’s consistent production and leadership on the field have made him a key figure in the Roadrunners’ defensive unit. They’ll need him to have saved his best for last if they hope to win 7+ games for a fifth straight year.
5) Kevin Penn, UAB Blazers
Kevin Penn’s journey to a starting role at UAB took three years, but his breakout in 2023 proved the wait was well worth it. He emerged as a reliable tackler for the Blazers, totaling 43 stops, 4.5 TFLs, and four sacks on the season. His size and strength, combined with his ability to bring down ball carriers consistently, have made him a crucial component of UAB’s defensive line and deserve the No. 5 spot on the 2024 AAC DT Rankings.
4) Joe Evans, UTSA Roadrunners
Owning a 6’3″ and 335-pound frame, Joe Evans is one of the biggest linemen on either side of the ball in the AAC. Since transferring from LSU in 2022, he’s proved to be an integral part of the DL rotation. After earning honorable mention All-Conference USA honors in his first year with the Roadrunners, Evans continued to excel in 2023, starting all 13 contests and earning third-team All-AAC recognition.
His performance included 18 tackles (11 solo), 2.5 TFLs, two sacks, and a safety, resulting in a spot on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list, reflecting his impact and potential heading into the 2024 season.
3) D’Anta Johnson, East Carolina Pirates
Primarily playing nose tackle, D’Anta Johnson’s 2023 numbers were impressive: 32 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, four sacks, and one forced fumble. His performance led to second-team all-conference honors and a top-three placement in the 2024 AAC DT Rankings. A fifth-year senior, Johnson is the captain of the Pirates’ defense and is primed for yet another disruptive outing.
2) Roderick Brown, North Texas Mean Green
Transitioning from a 3-technique in the early years of his career to a 0-1 tech in 2023, Roderick Brown registered 40 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, six QB hurries, and even blocked a kick. His previous seasons also highlight his capabilities, with 41 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, and four sacks in 2022, and a strong true freshman campaign in 2021, where he notched 19 tackles, four TFLs, three sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Although he’s a smaller DT at 5’11” and 290 pounds, Brown’s natural leverage and quickness make him a nightmare to handle on the interior.
1) Patrick Jenkins, Tulane Green Wave
There’s a reason Patrick Jenkins has garnered attention from major watch lists, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Outland Trophy entering 2024. Following two years at TCU, he transferred to Tulane in 2022 and hit the ground running, producing 39 tackles, nine TFLs, and three sacks. Jenkins’ production saw him receive second-team all-conference recognition, which he parlayed into a first-team selection in 2023.
KEEP READING: 2024 All-AAC College Football Preseason Team and Individual Honors
Last season, Jenkins generated 35 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. He played almost exclusively over tackle in 2023, showcasing his ability to dominate anywhere on the defensive line.
2024 AAC DT Rankings | 11-20
11) Izeya Floyd, Rice
12) Eric Hicks Jr., Tulane
13) LeDarrius Cox, UAB
14) Devin Baldwin and Patrick Lucas Jr., Memphis
15) Doug Blue-Eli, USF
16) Elijah Morris, East Carolina
17) Jaden Wheeler and Devonta Davis, FAU
18) Dre Butler and Jonathan Wallace, Charlotte
19) Landon Robinson, Navy
20) R.J. Jackson Jr. and Amieh Williams, Tulsa
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