Returning Starters
DE Marcus Davenport (JR): 49 Tackles, 7.5 TFL, and 4.5 Sacks
DT Kevin Strong (SO): 31 Tackes, 6.5 TFL, and 2.5 Sacks
Returning Contributors
DE Ramiro Napoles (SR)
DT Vontrell King Williams (SR)
DT Jonathan Tuilosega (SR)
DE Ben Kane (SR)
Future Contributors (This list won't include signees that won't take part in spring practice)
DE TJ King (RFR)
DE Josia Tauefa (RFR)
DE Dequarius Henry (FR)
DT Baylen Baker (RFR)
DT King Newton (RFR)
Outlook for Spring
Defensive End is obviously very thin in upperclassmen talent, but the trio of freshman we have auditioning this spring gives me a bunch of hope for the future of the group.
Marcus Davenport is a very talented pass rusher, but has had issues staying healthy due to his small frame. Probably best suited as a situational pass rusher, but will once again be counted on to be a 3 down DE for us. Napoles was a very sound technical defensive end that did a lot of good things keeping contain in the run game. I just don't think we can count on him for much more than that. Kane was a total bust as a JUCO last season. King and Tauefa both red shirted last year when I think they would have been rotational players by the end of the season. They both need to step up this spring and force there way into the rotation going into the summer and fall. King is a big bodied kid that will be perfect as a strong side DE, and I think he ends up starting across from Davenport by conference play. Tauefa is a high motor guy that may be a bit undersized right now to be an every down DE. I expect he sees some solid playing time though, and a guy like him fill find a way to make plays. Henry was a Grey Shirt that counts towards this 2016 recruiting class. He is a tall, raw DE project that will need a red shirt season to get his body and technique right.
Defensive tackle is in much better shape than DE. Kevin Strong was our best defensive lineman for most of the early season before fading a bit down the stretch. That should have been expected for a RS Freshman playing a ton of snaps. He has all conference ability, and will be our anchor in the middle. Tuilosega was the less heralded of our JUCO DT signings last class, but ended up being a very solid space eater towards the end of the season. King Williams seemed out of shape most of last season, but reports are that he was hurt most of the year and is healthy now. He should be in better shape going into the spring. That's 3/4ths of a very good CUSA DT Rotation. Baylen Baker is a massive RFR that I think (much like TJ King) will be a mainstay in the rotation towards the end of the 2016 season. King Newton is another RFR with the potential to force his way into the rotation. He may need another season before he makes his true impact.
DE Marcus Davenport (JR): 49 Tackles, 7.5 TFL, and 4.5 Sacks
DT Kevin Strong (SO): 31 Tackes, 6.5 TFL, and 2.5 Sacks
Returning Contributors
DE Ramiro Napoles (SR)
DT Vontrell King Williams (SR)
DT Jonathan Tuilosega (SR)
DE Ben Kane (SR)
Future Contributors (This list won't include signees that won't take part in spring practice)
DE TJ King (RFR)
DE Josia Tauefa (RFR)
DE Dequarius Henry (FR)
DT Baylen Baker (RFR)
DT King Newton (RFR)
Outlook for Spring
Defensive End is obviously very thin in upperclassmen talent, but the trio of freshman we have auditioning this spring gives me a bunch of hope for the future of the group.
Marcus Davenport is a very talented pass rusher, but has had issues staying healthy due to his small frame. Probably best suited as a situational pass rusher, but will once again be counted on to be a 3 down DE for us. Napoles was a very sound technical defensive end that did a lot of good things keeping contain in the run game. I just don't think we can count on him for much more than that. Kane was a total bust as a JUCO last season. King and Tauefa both red shirted last year when I think they would have been rotational players by the end of the season. They both need to step up this spring and force there way into the rotation going into the summer and fall. King is a big bodied kid that will be perfect as a strong side DE, and I think he ends up starting across from Davenport by conference play. Tauefa is a high motor guy that may be a bit undersized right now to be an every down DE. I expect he sees some solid playing time though, and a guy like him fill find a way to make plays. Henry was a Grey Shirt that counts towards this 2016 recruiting class. He is a tall, raw DE project that will need a red shirt season to get his body and technique right.
Defensive tackle is in much better shape than DE. Kevin Strong was our best defensive lineman for most of the early season before fading a bit down the stretch. That should have been expected for a RS Freshman playing a ton of snaps. He has all conference ability, and will be our anchor in the middle. Tuilosega was the less heralded of our JUCO DT signings last class, but ended up being a very solid space eater towards the end of the season. King Williams seemed out of shape most of last season, but reports are that he was hurt most of the year and is healthy now. He should be in better shape going into the spring. That's 3/4ths of a very good CUSA DT Rotation. Baylen Baker is a massive RFR that I think (much like TJ King) will be a mainstay in the rotation towards the end of the 2016 season. King Newton is another RFR with the potential to force his way into the rotation. He may need another season before he makes his true impact.
