California is loaded with talented defensive linemen this season who will be game changers this fall across the state.
There are many dominant defensive linemen in California this year that will keep opposing quarterbacks up at night with nightmares. Heading into the 2026 season, there are some big defenders up front that will swing games for their respective teams.
Breaking Down the Top 10 Defensive Linemen in California
POSITION PREVIEWS: OL | DBs | WRs | 2028 QBs
Here are the top 10 defensive linemen in California to watch in the 2026 season.
Kasi Currie
High School: Sierra Canyon
Commitment: Texas
Breakdown: Kasi Currie had 15 tackles with an interception for Sierra Canyon last season and is a top five overall player in the state by multiple outlets. He is one of the strongest interior defensive linemen in the nation and has a dominant bull rush with a quick first step. Currie can eat up double teams and is an elite run stopper.
Marcus Fakatou
High School: Sierra Canyon
Commitment: Ohio State
Breakdown: Marcus Fakatou had 69 tackles, 17 for a loss, 7 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 8 blocked field goals for Orange Lutheran as a sophomore last season. He has since reclassified to the 2027 class and transferred to Sierra Canyon. Fakatou could be an edge guy or a defensive tackle at the college level. He knows how to use his length to create separation from the offensive lineman and has great short-area quickness.
Myels Smith
High School: Inglewood
Commitment: Texas A&M
Breakdown: Myels Smith had 91 tackles, 30 for a loss, 10 sacks, a forced fumble and 2 fumble recoveries for Inglewood last season. His biggest asset is how quickly he gets off the ball and with his size and power, he’s a tough matchup for offensive linemen.
Troy Bowens
High School: Sutter
Commitment: Cal
Breakdown: Troy Bowens had 106 tackles, 33 for a loss, 13 sacks and 3 forced fumbles last season for a Sutter team that won a CIF championship. He is a versatile guy who can play anywhere on the defensive front depending on the scheme and has a relentless motor.
Alifeleti Tuihalamaka
School: Oaks Christian
Commitment: USC
Breakdown: Alifeleti Tuihalamaka had 86 tackles, 13.5 for a loss, 8 sacks and a forced fumble for Oaks Christian last season. He is very athletic for his size and is a natural bender who can close to the ball quickly.
Jon Ioane
High School: Tustin
Commitment: Washington
Breakdown: Jon Ioane had 50 tackles, 14 for a loss, 4 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for Tustin last season. He is a good athlete who played some quarterback as a sophomore and has a quick first step off the line. Ioane has the strength to drive offensive linemen back as a pass rusher and can absorb double teams.
Isaia Vandermade
High School: Santa Margarita
Commitment: USC
Breakdown: Isaia Vandermade had a breakout playoff run for Santa Margarita with 9.5 tackles for a loss, 8 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in just four games en route to a State championship. He has a good mix of speed and power moves from the inside of the defensive line and can close to the quarterback quickly.
Jeremiah Williams
High School: Tustin
Commitment: BYU
Breakdown: Jeremiah Williams had 67 tackles, 24 for a loss, 5 sacks with a fumble and 7 pass deflections. He also had seven rushing touchdowns on offense and made some impressive plays at running back. Williams is one of the quickest defensive linemen in the class and can beat offensive linemen with speed or power on any given play.
Sione Felila
High School: Oak Hills
Commitment: Oklahoma
Breakdown: Sione Felila had 45 tackles, 18 for a loss, 6.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for Oak Hills last season. He’s a strong interior defensive lineman with a dominant first step and can overpower most offensive linemen.
Nasir Walker
High School: Crean Lutheran
Top Offers: Ole Miss, Tennessee, Georgia, UCLA
Breakdown: Nasir Walker had 104 tackles, 21 for a loss, 4 hurries and 12 sacks for A.C. Flora of South Carolina last season and has transferred to Crean Lutheran. He moves well laterally and can get up the field in a hurry from the edge. Walker diagnoses plays quickly based off the offensive lineman’s first step and takes good pursuit angles.
Editor's Pick
July Recruiting Wrap-Up: California Commitments