Spring Preview: The Defensive Line

AMES, Iowa - Spring football is right around the corner. Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell is entering his fourth season in Ames and aiming to keep the momentum of back-to-back eight-win seasons going.

Cyclones.com will preview each position in the upcoming weeks. Today we take a look at the defensive line.

Defensive Line

Synopsis
The Iowa State defense was one of the nation's best for the second-straight year thanks to its stout defensive line.

The Cyclones led the Big 12 in scoring defense (22.9) and ranked second in the league in total defense (349.2). Against the run, ISU's front played a huge part in its success, ranking ninth nationally in defensive yards per rush (3.26) and limited opponents to just 115.0 rushing yards per game, ranking No. 1 in the Big 12.

The Cyclones, who were versatile, experimenting with both 4-man and 3-man fronts during the year, basically only lose one player (Spencer Benton) who played significant snaps in 2018.

The defensive line will definitely be a strength in 2019 thanks to the return of multiple all-conference performers JaQuan Bailey (6-2, 251, Sr., Jacksonville, Fla.) at defensive end and Ray Lima (6-3, 302, Sr.#, Los Angeles, Calif.) in the interior.

An argument can be made that Bailey is one of the greatest defensive ends in school history, and he has the stats to prove it.

Bailey, who has started the last 33 games, was a second-team All-Big 12 pick in 2018 after leading the team in sacks (8.0) and TFL (14.5). Both totals were single-season top-10 efforts in school history.

Bailey enters his senior year sharing the school record in career sacks with Shawn Moorehead at 18.5. He also ranks fifth all-time in career TFL with 31.5, only 3.0 from eclipsing the school record of 34.0 held by three players.

Lima was perhaps the unsung hero of the defense for the second consecutive season. His stats weren't gaudy (34 tackles, 3.5 TFL), but his ability to take on double teams, stop the run and plug holes allowed the linebackers and secondary to make plays.

A two-time All-Big 12 pick, including a first-team selection by ESPN in 2018, Lima will head into his senior season as one of the top interior defenders in the league with 21 career starts.

Jamahl Johnson (6-0, 295, Sr., Savage, Minn.), Tucker Robertson (6-3, 280, So.#, Simi Valley, Calif.) Isaiah Lee (6-0, 284, Fr.#, Chicago, Ill.) and Joshua Bailey (6-2, 284, Jr.#, Jacksonville, Fla.) will add depth on the interior.

Johnson has been a valuable reserve in his first three seasons, playing in 29 games in his career. Johnson had an excellent 2018 campaign, registering 13 tackles, 3.0 TFL and 2.0 sacks. He earned his first career start against West Virginia, recording four tackles and a TFL.

Robertson played in 11 games last year as a reserve and will look for more snaps in 2019. The coaches are excited about Lee's future. He was able to earn a redshirt in 2018, appearing in two games. He took four quality snaps vs. West Virginia when Lima was out with a concussion.

Filling out one of the starting end positions is Enyi Uwazurike (6-6, 283, Jr.#, Detroit, Mich.), who was a breakout player for the Cyclones in 2018 with eight starts.

Uwazurike, who had 27 tackles, 5.0 TFL and a sack last season despite missing four games with an injury, will join Bailey as one of the best defensive end tandems in the league.

Backing up Bailey and Uwazurike will be Matt Leo (6-7, 276, Sr.#, Adelaide, Australia) and Zach Petersen (6-4, 236, So., Long Grove, Iowa).

Leo started five games in 2018 when Uwazurike was out with a groin injury, filling in admirably. Leo is an imposing figure with his height and strength, racking up 19 tackles, 6.0 TFL and 2.0 sacks last season.

Leo will provide quality depth and is a capable starter.

Petersen was one of four Cyclone rookies to not redshirt in 2018, playing eight games primarily on special teams. Petersen was able to receive significant snaps from scrimmage as well, registering four tackles.

Petersen will likely take over the backup spot left from Benton's graduation.

Campbell On The Defensive Line
"I think we made such a jump last year and really came together on the defensive line. When you have guys like Ray Lima, JaQuan Bailey, Enyi Uwazurike back, you know you are in good shape. You also can't forget about Matt Leo, who really rose to the occasion when he had the opportunity last year. I thought we got so much better from the middle of the season to the end of the season last year. We have depth with Jamahl Johnson, Isaiah Lee, Joshua Bailey and Tucker Robertson, all guys that are competing for opportunities to help this football team be successful. Zach Petersen and Blake Peterson, who just came in, will be fighting for playing time. There will be a lot of competition this spring."

Players Mentioned

JaQuan Bailey

Joshua Bailey

Spencer Benton

Jamahl Johnson

Isaiah Lee

Matt Leo

Ray Lima

Zach Petersen

Blake Peterson

Tucker Robertson

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics