Reloaded DL Ready for Breakout 2016 at Tech
The Bulldog defensive line is going to get a bit of makeover this season with only one returning starter playing the same position as last season. That player is 2015 Freshman All-American defensive end Jaylon Ferguson.
As a redshirt freshman, Ferguson racked up 35 tackles, forced 2 fumbles, and led the team in both tackles for loss (15) and sacks (6). Ferguson picked up where he left off last season with three sacks in the spring game. We can expect the sophomore out of West Feliciana High School to take another step forward this season and emerge as the best player on the Bulldogs’ defensive line.
Immanuel Turner, a sophomore out of Magnolia, Arkansas, is currently the top backup to Ferguson. Turner appeared in seven games as a true freshman, finishing with five tackles and a sack on the season. He got off to a good start this year picking up two sacks in the spring game.
On the other side of the defensive line, a replacement is needed for defensive end Vontarrius Dora, who signed a free agent contract with the Denver Broncos following his senior season.
Senior Aaron Brown manned that position in the spring. Brown, a native of Carrollton, Texas, started 11 games at defensive tackle for the Bulldogs last season. As a junior, Brown totaled 26 tackles with 4 ½ of those being for a loss. At 6-1, Brown is a bit on the short side for a defensive end and I think you have to question his ability to generate a pass rush from the outside. If one of the newcomers can come along quickly he could slide back inside to tackle.
One of the players who will be pushing Brown for playing time this season is Junior Deldrick Canty. Canty recorded 30 tackles and four sacks in a reserve role over the past two seasons and was a member of the CUSA All-Freshman team in 2014.
Brandon Brinson, a redshirt freshman out of Houma, will try to jump into the mix this season while Matthew Ydarrga is still rehabbing from his ACL tear last season.
There are a few newcomers who weren’t on campus in the spring that have a chance to be a factor for Tech at defensive end this season. The first being JUCO Signee Kalan Ritchie.
Ritchie, a 2014 South Carolina signee, was placed at Georgia Military Academy for two years but lost his spot in the 2016 class after the coaching change at South Carolina. He finished his GMA career with 39 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 5 sacks. At 6-6 237, Ritchie has an intriguing blend of size and athleticism and is definitely a player to watch in fall camp.
Willie Baker (6-4 235), a true freshman out of Livonia, was the prize of Tech’s 2016 recruiting class. Baker ranked as the 33rd best recruit in the state of Louisiana and had a slew of P5 offers.
Another top recruit in the 2016 class was KaDarrion Mason out of McComb, Mississippi. Mason was among the top defensive line recruits in Mississippi and had multiple P5 suitors. At 6-3 280, Mason has the size to play at the collegiate level immediately, but you have to think he’ll grow into a defensive tackle during his time at Tech.
Speaking of defensive tackles…
With Aaron Brown potentially moving to defensive end and Vernon Butler drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers, Tech may have to find two new starters in the middle. Add in the graduation of Tyler Porter and that’s a lot of beef to replace.
A pair of sophomores, Courtney Wallace Jr. and Jordan Bradford, are currently in the lead for the starting defensive tackle positions.
Courtney Wallace Jr. (6-2 336) is a sophomore out of Neville High School and the namesake of a former Tech defensive tackle. Wallace was one of the top recruits in the 2015 class and saw action as a backup last season, finishing with five tackles and a fumble recovery. He earned a starting role in the spring and got off to a good start with two sacks in the spring game.
Jordan Bradford (6-2 280), another true sophomore out of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, saw action in 11 games as a true freshman, finishing with six tackles and one sack. Bradford is in the lead for the other starting defensive tackle spot and recorded a sack in the spring game.
The next guys up are Cedric Johnson (6-2 302) and Keonatye Garner (6-4 265).
Johnson, a redshirt sophomore out of Rowlett, Texas, was one of the top players in the Bulldogs’ 2014 recruiting class. He had scholarship offers from the likes of Baylor, Illinois, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, and Washington State. After sitting out the 2014 season as a redshirt, Johnson saw very limited playing time last season recording just one tackle. He’s in line to see the field more frequently this season.
Keonatye Garner is a new face who took a different path. After graduating from Murrah High School in Mississippi, Garner spent his last season at Copiah-Lincoln Community College where he recorded five tackles (two for loss) as a freshman. He joins Johnson as the top reserve defensive tackles heading into fall camp.
La’Dante Davenport (6-3 272) out of Northwood High School in Shreveport was a big part of last year’s signing class. He sat out the 2015 season as a redshirt and will get a chance to compete for playing time this season.
Overall Tech has a pretty inexperienced defensive line group. You have to be excited about Jaylon Ferguson and think this amount of competition should produce a good starter opposite Ferguson. You have to be concerned about the lack of playing time the Bulldog defensive tackles have. The top five defensive tackles have combined for 17 career tackles. There isn’t an upper classman in the group. Their experience level is low but their upside is high.