The 2025 recruiting class is chock-full of defensive standouts who can wreak havoc on opposing offenses and may be doing it as soon as next year.

Many of these dudes are too talented to watch for long. Even though a lot of them are going to contenders, you can't discount the fact that several are good enough to play right away.

From sideline-to-sideline linebackers to quick-twitch edge-rushers to a guy who can do a little bit of everything to some athletic big men who can crash pockets from the inside, the '25 class of defenders have plenty of guys who can change the trajectory of a game and program.

The only defensive position not included here is cornerback, though those guys can "disrupt" in their own regards. This is a group of bone-jarring guys who pack a punch and arrive in a hurry.

Using film study, instant-impact ability and 247Sports composite rankings, here are B/R's top disruptive defenders in next year's recruiting class.

12. EDGE Ari Watford, Clemson Commit

The recruiting analysts don't necessarily all agree that Ari Watford is a top-of-the-class, twitchy defender, but he is.

This is the type of edge-rusher that Clemson gets on campus and turns into an All-American. He's been the type of athlete that's been missing from the Tigers' front the past few years.

Coach Dabo Swinney has to be excited about getting the raw, 6'5", 220-pound playmaker from Norfolk, Virginia, in the fold and developing him. He isn't necessarily one of the players on this list who could start right away, but he may have a package or two.

The No. 4-rated edge-rusher is the 55th-ranked player overall in the 247Sports composite rankings, but he should be rated higher than that.

He is tall and lanky, and while Watford could use some extra weight, he is explosive off the corner and can get to quarterbacks in a hurry. His long frame will allow him to add plenty of weight, and he could terrorize ACC quarterbacks quickly.

This is a guy who has all the trappings of an eventual early round NFL defender.

11. EDGE Jared Smith, Auburn Commit

With Nick Saban retiring, Auburn coach Hugh Freeze has been able to get much more of a foothold in recruiting a higher quantity of recruits in the Yellow Hammer State to come to the Plains.

He's getting plenty of quality, too, as evidenced by a top-three class that features exceptional athletes like Alabaster, Alabama, edge-rusher Jared Smith.

At 6'6.5", 235 pounds, Smith may be one of the rawest players on this list, but he also has one of the highest ceilings. Much like Ari Watford, he could step in and grab some snaps off sheer athleticism, but he will need some collegiate weight program development.

Once he gets that, Smith could be special. He has the build and all the tools to be a high NFL draft pick if he develops, and it will help him coming from an elite high school program (Thompson HS) to Auburn.

The Tigers actually have done a good job in Freeze's tenure recruiting elite defensive linemen, so Smith won't just break in the rotation because of his ranking. But the No. 4-rated edge in the class may be too talented not to play at all in '25.

10. LB Darrell Johnson, Alabama Commit

Sticking with the Alabama SEC programs, the Crimson Tide's first full recruiting class under new coach Kalen DeBoer has a national feel to it, getting guys to come to Tuscaloosa from all over.

That proves the brand is still strong, much like coach Nick Saban never had any trouble convincing guys to come to 'Bama.

But one place the Tide has enjoyed success in recently is the Peach State, even with Georgia coach Kirby Smart's success. They've gone in there again this year and grabbed a magnificent talent in 6'1", 200-pound linebacker Darrell Johnson of Eastman.

Johnson is blazing fast with a condor-like wingspan and the type of dizzying athleticism that lets you know he's a high-level player the minute you turn on his video. He's always around the football and packs a hard punch.

Even though he could add 15-20 pounds, Johnson is a college-ready playmaker who is a bouncy, quick-twitch athlete who is deserving of his fourth-rated linebacker ranking and the No. 35 overall player. He has special ability.

9. LB Riley Pettijohn, Ohio State Commit

The Ohio State Buckeyes always seem to rack up on talent in Texas, and one of the reasons the Lone Star State is such a pipeline is those guys often go straight from Columbus to the NFL.

Coach Ryan Day went into the state this year and got a commitment from elite linebacker Riley Pettijohn, who is one of those playmakers who can do it all. The McKinney product is the No. 29-rated overall player and third-ranked linebacker in the class.

He may be better than that.

Even on a defense that is outstanding this year under coordinator Jim Knowles, Pettijohn could possibly work his way into the rotation and will have an opportunity to do just that next year for a title contender.

At 6'1.5", 215 pounds Pettijohn is a terrific-looking second-level defender who may be able to even play stand-up edge on the next level in some situations, especially if he can pack on another 15 pounds of muscle. This is a major coup for the Buckeyes who looks ready to play.

8. EDGE Iose Epenesa, Iowa Commit

If you're a college football fan, you probably know the name A.J. Epenesa, who was a former 5-star prospect who excelled at Iowa under Kirk Ferentz before heading to the NFL where he now plays for Buffalo after being a second-round pick.

Well, there's a new Epenesa on the way to Iowa City, and he has the same elite ability as his brother.

Iose Epenesa is a 6'4", 270-pound defensive lineman from Edwardsville, Illinois, who has the size, strength and versatility to play a lot of spots along the defensive front. He could perhaps project best as a jumbo defensive end who could excel in a 3-4 defense.

Regardless of the position he plays, Iowa is getting a good one. He is the prototypical rugged, hard-nosed defender who will shine for a long time for the Hawkeyes, and while Ferentz always deploys one of the best defenses in the nation, Epenesa is too talented to watch.

He is strong, physically developed and athletic enough that he is a standout on the basketball court and in track. He will break into that defense right away and be a three- or four-year starter just like his two-time All-Big Ten selection brother.

7. LB Zayden Walker, Georgia Commit

You aren't surprised Georgia has a couple of guys on this list and may have another couple before the cycle is all said and done, are you? That's how coach Kirby Smart has built his defensive dynasty in Athens.

As if the Bulldogs aren't loaded enough at linebacker, they've got the nation's No. 2-ranked linebacker staying at home next year to play for the SEC power.

Ellaville, Georgia's Zayden Walker is 6'1.5", 225-pound second-level defender who runs like a defensive back. He's the 27th-ranked overall player, and he may be better than even that. He has special sideline-to-sideline ability and a knack for the ball you just can't teach.

Like a lot of guys who wind up playing for the Dawgs, Walker's value is in his athleticism, explosiveness and versatility. His long arms and frame that could allow him to hold another 20 pounds means he can line up in a lot of different places.

Whether it be staying at linebacker where he can jet after ball-carriers and excel in coverage, or come off the edge in situations where he can get off the quarterback, it's easy to see Walker doing a lot of different things in red and black.

6. EDGE Javion Hilson, Uncommitted

Javion Hilson's recruitment already has taken several twists and turns, so who knows if his next one will be his last?

After all, the 6'3.5", 235-pound edge-rusher from Cocoa, Florida, was once committed to Alabama, flipped to Florida State and then opened things up. Now, he's trying to decide between Florida, Texas, UCF, Florida State and who knows who else.

With no end in sight, there could be more drama. But guess what? A talent like Hilson's is worth the chase. He is the No. 33-rated overall player and the second-ranked edge in the class.

In a cycle where there aren't a bunch of difference-making players at his position, Hilson is indeed that. With long arms, size and massive strength, Hilson can play all along the defensive front. But he's at his best when he's getting after quarterbacks.

What we love most about him is he isn't just a one-trick pony off the edge, though. He looks great against the run and has an intelligence on the field that enables him to track ball-carriers with the closing speed to finish the deal. He's a future early round NFL draft pick if he continues to develop.

5. EDGE Isaiah Gibson, Georgia Commit

Isaiah Gibson has been committed to Georgia a long time, but other rivals like Tennessee and Auburn are trying to come after him and flip him.

Much like Javion Hilson, Gibson is the type of talent you swing for until the ink hits the paper and the scholarship papers are signed.

The 6'4", 245-pound edge-rusher is far and away the best player at his position in the 2025 recruiting class, and he has the burst and closing speed that you know is going to make him a special player.

UGA hasn't had many edge-rushers put up big numbers in recent history, but the only 5-star player at his position in the '25 class could be the guy.

The Warner Robins, Georgia, native has violent hands and is a terror at the point of attack, and he is the kind of athlete who will draw double teams time and time again because of his size and athleticism. Even though he still needs some development, Gibson is elite.

Regardless, he is exactly the type of long-armed, big-bodied, explosive defender who NFL teams salivate over when it comes time for them to head to the pros. For the next three years, though, Gibson is going to make the Dawgs fans very happy.

4. DL Elijah Griffin, Uncommitted

It's extremely difficult picking who should be in this spot between Elijah Griffin and Justus Terry. Truthfully, you can't go wrong selecting either of these guys.

The ridiculous thing is both of them (along with a few others) may wind up in Athens playing for Kirby Smart. If that happens, watch out. Griffin and Terry are special (and they're good friends), and if it wasn't for a younger player who reclassified and has special-ceiling ability, they'd battle for the No. 2 spot.

Regardless of where you want to put Griffin, he's going to be a dynamic defensive lineman in college football and an NFL player if everything goes according to plan.

At 6'5", 285 pounds, Griffin is a force of nature, who has the kind of burst and snap explosion that separates him from the rest. He is a can't-miss, immediate-impact playmaker no matter where he goes, and even though he hasn't chosen a school yet, the Dawgs seem to be the favorite.

Griffin is from Savannah, Georgia, and the 5-star prospect is the fourth-rated overall player and the No. 1-ranked defensive lineman in the class, according to the 247Sports composite. We have him a little lower, but that's not a big deal. He's elite, no matter what.

His finalists are USC, Miami and Georgia, and it's difficult seeing him in anything but red and black.

3. DL Justus Terry, Uncommitted

One of the biggest recruiting battles yet to be waged will be fought for Justus Terry.

Just like Javion Hilson, the superstar prospect can't quite seem to make up his mind. He's been committed to USC at one point, Georgia at another, but he's decommitted twice. Now, the Dawgs and Trojans are still in the mix along with Alabama, Florida State and others.

Basically, Terry can go anywhere in the nation, and the 6'5", 275-pound defensive lineman is enjoying the process and taking his visits.

Nothing wrong with that.

Wherever he ends up is going to be getting a college-ready playmaker who can put his hand in the dirt and get after quarterbacks from Day 1. He is a phenomenal athlete from the interior of the defensive line who is a can't-miss.

The 5-star prospect is the No. 8-ranked overall player and the second-rated defensive lineman in the class, and he may be a top-three player. He's that good, that polished and that nasty. He's the best run-stuffer on this list and can collapse the line from the interior and make things tough on quarterbacks, too.

2. LB/S Jonah Williams, Texas Commit

If you want a game-changer athlete who can play on either the second or third level of the defense, look no further than Jonah Williams.

While some services rate Williams as a safety on the next level, we like him to grow into a linebacker, where he can line up and do a ton of things like chase down runners, get after quarterbacks and drop back into coverage.

There aren't a lot of Isaiah Simmons-like playmakers out there each year, but Williams has the potential to be like the New York Giants' and former Clemson linebacker who played all over the place.

The 6'3", 203-pound Galveston, Texas, native has "safety" as the position on his 247Sports profile, yet he's the No. 1-ranked linebacker and 10th-rated overall player in the class. If you can't figure that out, neither can we. Regardless, he's a 5-star player who has the potential to start next year.

Texas is getting a jewel of a player with a knack for the ball and the ability to do a lot of things. When recruiting services can't decide where to put you positionally, at times that means you're a "tweener", but that's not the case for Williams.

He's great no matter where he is. You sign him and figure out the rest later.

1. DL Jahkeem Stewart, Uncommitted

There aren't many players on this list who, when you see him on film, makes you do a double take because a young man that size shouldn't be able to move that fast.

But the special size-speed combination and ability of 6'6", 270-pound defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart makes you do a double take. He's the No. 18-ranked overall player and the third-rated defensive lineman in the nation, but that rating depends on his development.

If he blows up, gets in the film room and learns the nuances of the game, nobody has a higher ceiling than the New Orleans product. That's why everybody around the nation wants him.

Size like Stewart's doesn't grow on trees—even on those cypress trees down in the bayou.

Once he reclassified from the 2026 class to this year's class, he surged up the rankings. But he was already a hot commodity, coveted by the likes of Ohio State, Oregon, LSU and USC, among others. The Bayou Bengals don't normally let players of Stewart's ilk get out of the state, but he seems open.

"He's been dominating four- and five-star prospects since seventh grade," Clyde Alexander, a coach who represents Stewart, told ESPN's Eli Lederman. "Some of those kids are in the NFL now, and [Stewart] still had two more years of high school. Every head coach, coordinator and [defensive line coach] has him as the No. 1 player on their board regardless of class."

He's a star, no matter where he's ranked.