In an era when college defenses lean heavily on hybrid fronts, twitchy interior disruptors, and positionless chaos, Dontay Corleone stands out as a rare throwback.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are set to make their first selection in the 2026 NFL draft in the second round, with pick No. 56. The team owns 11 total picks this year, including four in the top 100.

Jaguars Roundtable will take a closer look at a range of prospects in the Class of 2026 that might jibe with Jacksonville's current roster, coaching staff, and the team's X's and O's strategies. Other entries in the series include profiles of Oklahoma linebacker Kendal Daniels and Indiana cornerback D'Angelo Ponds.

Here we'll take a closer look at Cincinnati defensive lineman Dontay Corleone.

This Bearcat is a true nose tackle -- a massive, leverage‑driven anchor who can take over a game from the A‑gaps and force an offense to rethink its entire run script.

At 6-foot-1 and 335 pounds, Corleone is built like a bank vault and plays with the same immovable presence. His nickname, "The Godfather," isn’t just clever branding; it’s a reflection of the gravitational pull he has on every snap he plays.

His breakout came early. As a redshirt freshman, he posted 45 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and two forced fumbles -- production that earned him third‑team All‑American honors and put him firmly on the national radar.

A 'Nati native and former three‑star recruit from Colerain High School, Corleone arrived on campus with raw power and natural leverage but quickly developed into one of the most disruptive interior defenders in the country.

By 2023, Corleone had become the centerpiece of Cincinnati’s defensive front. His counting stats remained steady -- 39 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, three sacks, and a forced fumble — but the tape told the real story. Offensive coordinators schemed away from him. Centers and guards double‑teamed him on nearly every early‑down snap. Inside zone concepts disappeared from game plans. And yet, Corleone consistently reset the line of scrimmage, clogged interior lanes, and forced offenses to bounce runs into help.

What makes Corleone special isn’t just his size -- it’s how he uses it. He plays with elite pad level, winning leverage battles with a naturally low center of gravity. His first step is surprisingly quick for a 335‑pounder, allowing him to cross a guard’s face or penetrate a backside gap before the offensive line can adjust. Once engaged, he’s nearly impossible to move. His upper‑body strength allows him to lock out, peek, shed, and finish with textbook efficiency, making him one of the most reliable run defenders in the class.

While his game is built on power, Corleone offers more pass‑rush value than most nose tackles entering the league. He’s not a finesse rusher, but he collapses pockets with bull rushes, forklift leverage, and torque that forces quarterbacks off their spot. Even without gaudy sack totals, he consistently affects the quarterback and creates cleanup opportunities for teammates.

His football IQ is another defining trait. Corleone diagnoses blocking schemes quickly, recognizes trap and wham concepts, and rarely gets caught out of position. His presence stabilizes the entire structure of a defense, allowing linebackers behind him to play fast and clean.

There are limitations. He’s not a sideline‑to‑sideline mover, and he’s best suited for schemes that keep him between the tackles. Conditioning will be a point of emphasis early in his NFL career, as he’s most dominant in 30‑snap workloads. But in the right system -- particularly a 3‑4 or hybrid front -- Corleone projects as an immediate early‑down starter with long‑term foundational value.

Dontay Corleone isn’t just a prospect. He’s a tone‑setter, a culture piece, and a defensive identity all by himself.

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