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Iowa State University Athletics
Spring Preview: The Defensive Line
03.19.2018 | Football
AMES, Iowa - Iowa State ranked 26th nationally in scoring defense (20.9) and was third in the Big 12 in total defense (366.2) in 2017. The defensive line should receive credit for those outstanding numbers.
The Cyclones, who were versatile, experimenting with both 4-man and 3-man fronts during the year, graduated two players in all-Big 12 end J.D. Waggoner and interior lineman Vernell Trent.
Despite the losses, ISU does return two honorable mention all-Big 12 performers in defensive end JaQuan Bailey (6-2, 260, Jr., Jacksonville, Fla.) and nose guard Ray Lima (6-3, 306, Jr.#, Los Angeles, Calif.)
Bailey has started 20 games in his first two seasons as a Cyclone and made considerable strides in his sophomore campaign a year ago. He had 34 tackles, 11.0 TFL, two forced fumbles and led the team in sacks (7.0), the fourth-best season total in school history.Â
Bailey already has 10.5 sacks in his career and is on pace to rank as one of the best ends in the history of the program.Â
Lima was perhaps the biggest addition for the Cyclones a year ago, sharing the Dury Moss Award as the team's top newcomer. His stats weren't gaudy (25 tackles, 4.5 TFL), but his ability to take on double teams, stop the run and plug holes allowed the linebackers and secondary to make plays.
His presence in the middle shouldn't be underscored and he has the capability of being one of the best interior defenders in the Big 12.Â
Jamahl Johnson (6-0, 314, Jr., Savage, Minn.), Kamilo Tongamoa (6-5, 290, Sr.#, Van Nuys, Calif.), Tucker Robertson (6-3, 284, Fr.#, Simi Valley, Calif.) and Joshua Bailey (6-2, 288, So.#, Jacksonville, Fla.) are candidates to see time in the interior.
Johnson has been a valuable reserve in his first two seasons, playing in nine games in his career.
Tongamoa, who was considered one of the top junior college players in the class of 2017, fell behind the eight ball after arriving on campus in late August, missing out on summer workouts and fall camp.Â
With a year under his belt, the staff is hoping Tongamoa can make contributions in 2018.
Robertson sat out last season as a redshirt and is ready for action. He was a highly-touted recruit out of California in high school.Â
Ben Latusek (6-3, 244, Fr.#, Dike, Iowa), a walk-on, who has continued to add weight on his frame, will get a chance to work with the interior linemen this spring. An all-stater in high school, Latusek led his team in TFL (23.0) and sacks (12.0) as a senior.Â
A strong choice to fill in at one of the starting ends is Enyi Uwazurike (6-6, 288, So.#, Detroit, Mich.). Uwazurike was solid as a reserve in his rookie season, playing in all 13 games and recording 16 tackles and 4.0 TFL.
Spencer Benton (6-2, 247, Sr.#, Van Meter, Iowa), Carson Lensing (6-4, 255, So.#, Fort Atkinson, Iowa), Matt Leo (6-7, 276, Jr.#, Adelaide, Australia), Dan Sichterman (6-3, 237, Fr.#, Cincinnati, Ohio) and Angel Dominguez (6-4, 274, Fr.#, Kansas City, Kan.) will battle for snaps on the end.Â
Campbell On The Defensive Line
"We have competition on the defensive line. How many snaps are you going to play in a game? How much do you want to play in a game? Â The reality of it is, there's a lot of competition right now for playing time. You look at the Leo spot, and you got JaQuan Bailey, Spencer Benton and Carson Lensing, all three guys who have played and have the ability to make a difference in a game. Who's going to play meaningful reps is all based on consistency and the work ethic that they have. The tackle spot you have Kamilo Tongamoa, and then behind him, we are looking at guys like Tucker Robertson, Joshua Bailey and Angel Dominguez. Those are all guys that have high-end ability and we are excited about. At the nose, you've got Ray Lima and Jamahl Johnson. We are also excited about a young guy who walked on our team, Ben Latusek, who's really flashed and showed some real positives for us. Â At the other end spot, we have Enyi Uwazurike, Matt Leo and Dan Sichterman, all guys that are really showing up in a positive way for us. I think we're really excited about what that group looks like and feels like. Again, it's all about development. I think that group has continued to grow. I'm excited to see the guys who most people haven't really heard of try to earn some playing time and push these guys to meaningful reps in the fall. I think it's a great, competitive group right now."Â
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