#96, Shabar Wilson, DT, 6-0, 295, Sophomore
#98, Luke Terrill, DT, 6-2, 320, R-Freshman
#44, LaCale London, DL, 6-5, 280
#52, Alijah Burno, DL, 6-1, 250, R-Sophomore
#54, Rahsul Katumbusi, DL, 6-1, 280, R-Freshman
#55, Cole Watts, DL, 6-2, 226, R-Freshman
#56, Nathan Oquendo, DL, 6-2, 290, Senior
#90, Malik Burns, DL, Freshman
#92, Tristan Pfeiffer, DL, 6-4, 240, Freshman
#93, Jake Detiveaux, DL, Freshman
#94, Grant Kasal, DL, 6-5, 265, Senior
#97, Derrell Grisby, DL, Freshman
#99, Khalen Saunders, DL, 6-2, 310, Senior
#23, Eryk Preston, DE, 6-4, 228, R-Sophomore
#91, Kyle Williams, DE, 6-4, 265, R-Sophomore
Guys gone from last year
Colin Olson - played in 12 games, had 26 total tackles, 6.5 for loss with 2.5 sacks. Also had 1 fumble recovery.
Mick Nelson - played in 12 games, 25 total tackls, 5 for loss with 2.5 sacks.
J'Len Smith - played in 12 games as a freshman with 16 tackles, 5.5 for loss, 1 forced fumble. No longer listed on roster; I don't think I've heard why.
Guys returning who had playing time last year
Khalen Saunders - 12 games, 57 tackles, 12 for loss, 7.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles (1 recovery), 4 qb hurries.
Kyle Williams - 12 games, 11 tackles, 3 for loss w/ 2.5 sacks
Shabar Wilson - 12 games, 11 tackles, 1.5 for loss w/ .5 sacks
Nathan Oquendo - 7 games, 5 tackles, .5 for loss
Grant Kasal - 12 games, 5 tackles
Eryk Preston - 3 games, 1 tackle, 1 for loss
Predictions for this year
Like with the O-line, we have a large group of guys. It seems like we had a pretty large recruiting class two years ago, so a lot of guys who were freshmen last year and will all be available to play this year. Again, guys can now play in up to 4 games in their redshirt year, so we'll probably see a good amount of switching in some of the freshman guys in for a few plays here and there to see what they can do and get them a bit of experience before having them go "full time".
Khalen Saunders was a first-team All-MVFC D-lineman last season as a Junior and will have quite a few eyes on him this year as he hopes to repeat that award and possibly earn a high spot on the Buchanan Award Watch List. I haven't heard if we're going to continue with the 3-4 defense in general, but if that's the case, we'll probably see Saunders, Williams and Wilson starting most of the time.
LaCale London is a transfer from Iowa Central CC (originally from Peoria area) and played for them in 2016. I don't know what his status was in 2017, but I think he's either gotta be a Sophomore or Junior at this point (listed as freshman on the athletics site). I also noticed that a decent number of guys listed as "Sophomore" on the athletics site are probably actually R-Freshmen...came in last year, didn't play in 2017 season, so I've changed their status above where applicable.
Scott Lawson - Board Admin