Commit Fit: How the top 2025 DL fit with their future programs
National Signing Day is often about getting the biggest names in a recruiting class but it’s also about getting the right players that fit your system. Here are five defensive linemen that are in a great spot in this Commit Fit look.
THIS SERIES: How the top 2025 QBs fit with their future programs | RBs | WRs | TEs | OL
1. ISAIAH GIBSON, Georgia
Travon Walker was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and he’s 6-foot-5 and 272 pounds. Gibson is 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds and has measurables that are completely off the charts that the defensive staff at Georgia should be able to utilize and NFL teams will love if Gibson plays up to his potential in Athens.
In games, the Warner Robins, Ga., five-star defensive end plays aggressively, uses his length off the edge to his advantage and also plays with a physical attitude that we love to see. Combine that with his incredibly long arms and he could be the total package coming off the edge.
2. ELIJAH GRIFFIN, Georgia
We still remember when Griffin showed up at the National Combine in San Antonio as a freshman wearing a Georgia sweatshirt as the Bulldogs basically led throughout his recruitment and he signed with them in December. Arguably no program develops defensive linemen better than UGA and he has the potential to be really special across the defensive line.
His versatility stands out most. The Savannah (Ga.) Savannah Christian five-star defensive tackle started his career coming off the edge but as he blossomed into a 6-foot-5, 300-pound beast, Griffin has moved inside and dominated there as well.
The five-star hasn’t really faced elite competition in high school and didn’t do many national events but he is still a devastating force who has the ability to take over games up the middle.
3. JAVION HILSON, Missouri
One of the crazier recruitments in the 2025 class, Hilson had been committed to Alabama and Florida State at different times and then was down to Texas, Texas A&M, Pittsburgh and Syracuse before a last-minute visit to Missouri where he ended up picking.
The Tigers are getting arguably the best pure edge rusher in the class. The Cocoa, Fla., can play the position numerous ways whether he’s blowing through offensive tackles to get into the backfield or beating them with speed to the edge, Hilson is always around the ball and making plays.
Missouri just lost former five-star Williams Nwaneri to Nebraska in the transfer portal but Hilson is a phenomenal replacement and might play the position with even more attitude and toughness.
4. JAHKEEM STEWART, USC
When we’ve seen Stewart in person in numerous camp settings including the Rivals Five-Star, the five-star defensive end who reclassified from the 2026 class has been outstanding, nearly unstoppable off the edge as he plays with a motor that never dies. He’s mean, tough, fierce, competitive and seems to never be satisfied. That’s the kind of attitude USC’s defense needs and Stewart is bringing it as the Trojans won out over LSU, Ohio State and Oregon for numerous reasons, one being Stewart’s relationship with position coach Eric Henderson.
If there is a question mark when it comes to Stewart, though, it’s that he hasn’t played a ton of high school football. In his high school career especially because of the reclassification and a transfer this season, Stewart has only played in 12 games.
5. JUSTUS TERRY, Texas
Texas can take five-star Colin Simmons off the edge, five-star linebacker Anthony Hill all over the field and now a monster either up the middle or as a defensive end in Terry as the Longhorns won a major recruiting battle late over Georgia for one of the nation’s top defensive linemen.
Big, burly, barrel-chested and fast off the snap, Terry was a major target for the Dawgs but the Manchester, Ga., standout decided to make his own way in Austin – and a big NIL package was rumored to come in late as well as Terry and five-star OL Michael Fasusi, who ended up signing with Oklahoma, were late targets.
Whether coming off the edge or playing inside, Terry has been a sack machine in high school and he gives the Longhorns even more defensive prowess across the front.
