High-caliber defensive tackles often go undervalued.

Creating pressure on opposing quarterbacks is one of the primary goals of any defense. And it begins with the big guys up front.

TOP 10 DEFENSIVE TACKLE PROSPECTS FOR 2016

1. Rashan Gary, undecided —  The New Jersey prospect is the total package. He is being recruited by every major program and has yet to make a decision. At 6-foot-5, 293 pounds, Gary has all the tools necessary to thrive at the college level right away.

2. Dexter Lawrence, Clemson — The Tigers have been producing high-caliber defensive linemen over the last few years. Lawrence is another solid addition. The North Carolina native had 55 tackles and 10 sacks in 2014.

3. Derrick Brown, undecided — The 6-3 Brown doesn’t have the height of the first two prospects, but he has a versatile skill set. The Buford, Ga., native has come out several times and said that Georgia is the frontrunner. Brown is also interested in Tennessee, Alabama, Auburn and Mississippi State.

4. Ed Oliver, Houston —  This is a slam dunk for Tom Herman who clearly has Houston on the rise. Oliver played at Westfield High in Houston, giving the Cougars an edge. He had heavy interest in LSU before committing to Houston.

5. Rashard Lawrence, undecided — He’s the last five-star DT prospect on the board. Though all indications are that the Louisiana native will commit with LSU, he has yet to make it official.

6. Edwin Alexander, LSU — If LSU lands Lawrence, he could get paired with Alexander as a dynamic force. The Hammond, La., native is 6-2 and 310 pounds.

7.  Shavar Manuel, Florida — Defense is the Gators’ strong suit. And Manuel is another huge addition. He’s a four-star prospect coming out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

8.  Antwuan Jackson, Auburn — A Georgia native, the 6-2, 305-pound Jackson doesn’t have overwhelming size. But he is still a coveted four-star prospect.

9. Julian Rochester, Georgia — The Atlanta area recruit had 116 tackles and 12 sacks in 2014.

10. Kendell Jones, Alabama — The Crimson Tide have a way of swaying the nation’s top prospects. At 6-5, 375 pounds, Jones has the size to square off with the best running backs in the SEC.