Not only is Wilkins a star defensive lineman for the Tigers, but he was also the first scholarship Clemson football player to earn a degree in just two and a half years. His work in the classroom, in the community and on the field earned him the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy after his senior season. Wilkins was also a first-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-ACC selection for his play (57 tackles, 15 for loss, six sacks, two forced fumbles), which helped the Tigers win their second national title since he arrived on campus. The top 25 national recruit broke out in a big way his freshman year, earning Freshman All-American honors by racking up 84 tackles, 4.5 for loss, and two sacks in 15 games. Wilkins had 10 tackles in 35 snaps against Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl that season. In the team's 2016 national championship season, he was a third-team Associated Press All-American and second-teams All-ACC selection, starting all 15 games and compiling 56 stops, 13 for loss, and 3.5 sacks. He also set a school record for defensive linemen with 10 pass breakups. Wilkins was a permanent team captain in 2017, starting all 14 games, making 53 tackles (8.5 for loss, 4.5 sacks) playing primarily inside after spending time at defensive end in previous seasons. His grandfather, Eurie Stamps, was killed when a SWAT team rifle accidentally discharged during a raid of his apartment in January 2011. They were looking for Stamps' stepson and two friends accused of selling drugs from the apartment. Wilkins split time during middle and early high school living with his stepfather (where he was when the raid took place) and with Stamps.

Deiter (pronounced DEET-er) came to Wisconsin from Ohio, where he was a first-team All-State pick and the Division IV Lineman of the Year. After redshirting in 2014, he started all 13 games, seven at left guard and six at center. Big Ten coaches voted him honorable mention all-conference as a sophomore after he split 14 starts between center (10) and left guard (4). In 2017, he was a first-team all-conference pick as a 14-game starter at left tackle. National media voted Deiter onto the Associated Press second-team All-American squad after his senior season and he returned to the first-team All-Big Ten pick as well due to his play in 13 starts at left guard.

Van Ginkel made a name for himself in 2017 while attacking quarterbacks and making plays in coverage. The Iowa product did not start for the Badgers, but made 39 tackles, 10 for loss, 6.5 sacks, two interceptions, two pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. He started 11 games as a senior (missing two with an ankle injury) and earned third-team All-Big Ten honors by collecting 46 tackles, seven for loss, 4.5 sacks, two pass breakups, and a blocked kick. Van Ginkel traveled a bit before landing in Madison for his junior year, starting his collegiate career at the University of South Dakota. Van Ginkel was a first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference and conference newcomer of the year as a redshirt freshman in 2015 (56 tackles, 18 for loss, nine sacks, two forced fumbles in 11 starts at defensive end.) He transferred to Iowa Western Community College after his coach retired from USD, posting 50 tackles, 13 for loss, and 3.5 sacks in 2016.

Prince was a three-time All-Washington D.C. Metro pick at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Maryland before heading to Columbus to play for the Buckeyes. The top-100 overall recruit played in all 14 games as a reserve lineman as a true freshman, then moved into the starting lineup for all 13 games at right tackle in 2016. Prince was a 14-game starter on the right side in 2017, using his large frame to earn third-team All-Big Ten honors. He was a team captain and first-team all-conference pick in 2018, starting all 14 games at right tackle.

Cox's father, Tom, played football at USC and his brother, Dakota, played at New Mexico. He was ranked the top fullback prospect nationally coming out of Apopka, Florida, where his team won state titles in two of his three final years at the school. Cox started 10 of 13 games played as a true freshman (3-25 receiving, no carries) and 9 of 12 in 2016 (7-15-2.1, one TD rushing; 4-41 receiving), scoring his first collegiate touchdown in the Sugar Bowl against Oklahoma. He lined up as a fullback and H-back for the Tigers in 2016 and 2017, when he started 11 of 14 games (3-25 receiving, no carries). He started 11 of 13 games played as a senior, rushing for two touchdowns (3-3-1.0 overall) and catching 11 passes for 93 yards (8.5 average) and one score.

Gaskin's tough running and track speed (he won a Washington high school state title in the 100 meters) have made him an ultra-productive player for the Huskies. The former two-time All-State running back garnered honors in his first year on campus, including Freshman All-American and honorable mention All-Pac-12 notice, as well as being named the team's Most Outstanding Offensive Player. In 13 games (six starts), Gaskin ran 227 times for 1,302 yards (5.7 average) and 14 touchdowns. He was a first-team all-conference selection in 2016 (237-1,373-5.8, 10 TD rushing; 19-137-7.2, one TD receiving) and second-team selection as a junior (222-1,380-6.2, 21 TD rushing; 19-232-12.2, three TD receiving.) The workhorse set school career records with 41 rushing touchdowns and 45 total scores in 2017, and was the team's Most Outstanding Offensive Player again. In 2018, Gaskin became UW's career rushing leader (third in conference history) and the first Pac-12 back to rush for more than 1,000 yards in four straight years, garnering second-team All-Pac 12 accolades by rushing for 1,268 yards and 12 touchdowns on 259 totes (4.9 average). He also caught 21 passes for 77 yards (3.7 average) and a score and returned four kickoffs for 74 yards (18.5 average).