Latest ranking of college football's best defensive line completely disrespects the Oklahoma Sooners

The Oklahoma Sooners didn't have a lot go right in 2024. One area that did work out well for the team, however, was the progression of their defense, particularly along the defensive line. 

Oklahoma built one of the best run defenses in college football last season on the backs of their tremendous defensive line. Despite shutting down numerous offenses last season, the Sooners' defensive line is still facing a great deal of skepticism. 

Athlon Sports ranked the ten best defensive lines in college football, and put the Sooners ninth on the list.

"The Sooners’ defense simply hasn’t had much star power the last several seasons under head coach Brent Venables, who hasn’t had a defensive lineman selected in the NFL Draft since arriving in Norman ahead of the 2022 season. Of course, that could change with the addition of former Georgia and Florida State transfer EDGE Marvin Jones Jr., a former five-star recruit in 2021. Jones pairs with fellow seniors DT Damonic Williams and DE R. Mason Thomas to provide the Sooners with a fierce veteran defensive front."

Ignoring the ranking for the moment, claiming Oklahoma hasn't had any star power when they've had numerous All-Conference and All-American players is a ludicrous statement. 

On their list of players, Athlon left off Gracen Halton, who was one of the most productive defensive tackles in the country last season, as well as former five-stars David Stone and PJ Adebawore, who are both expected to be breakout stars for Oklahoma this upcoming season. 

It continues to baffle me how Oklahoma's unit continues to be disrespected. They are the best unit in the SEC on film, but Athlon has them fourth in the conference behind teams that don't return as much talent. Michigan is somehow ranked above the Sooners despite losing three top-100 picks and only returning one starter. 

All of this analysis feels like people are still thinking of the Sooners during the Lincoln Riley era instead of focusing on the current times. It's fantastic bulletin board material, however, and should be a good motivator for that unit to continue defying expectations this season.