Eastern Michigan Athletics
Photo by: EMU Athletics/Andrew Mascharka
Checking in on the D-Line on Day Nine of Training Camp
8/11/2017 5:08:00 PM | Football
Eastern got its ninth opportunity to put in work at "The Factory"
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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University football team clocked into "The Factory" at Rynearson Stadium for day nine of training camp Friday, Aug. 11, as EMU moved one day closer to the season opener. Today also begins the look at the defensive side of the ball, beginning with the defensive line.
Heading into year two under the tutelage of defensive line coach Chuck Bullough, the Eagles posses an exciting amount of depth and talent, combining both size, as well as speed. With four positions in the 4-2-5 defensive scheme to fill, EMU has the potential to go as far as four-deep at some positions.
Beginning in the middle with the defensive tackles, EMU returns six players who each have double-digit appearances under their belts, led by redshirt senior Luke Maclean (Grand Blanc, Mich.-Grand Blanc (Pittsburgh)) who has 16 starts in 22 appearances. Last season, Maclean only notched 10 tackles, but two were for loss, to go along with three breakups and three hurries. Another senior on the interior is Dion Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio-Western Hills (Dodge City C.C.)) who is EMU's returning leader in terms of stops from a DT with 21 in five starts.
Two other seniors in the middle, who don't have as many starts, but have plenty of minutes are Oddie Granger III (East Saint Louis, Ill.-East Saint Louis (Dodge City C.C.)) and Derrick Dunlap (Indianapolis, Ind.-Lawrence Central). Last season, the two combined for 24 tackles, including one for loss. These four will look to serve a leadership role as the only four seniors in a large group. Beyond the seniors, juniors Chris Hendricks (Fruitport, Mich.-Fruitport) and Kwanii Figueroa (Brooklyn, N.Y.-Paramus Catholic) had productive campaigns in 2016, combining for 24 stops and 1.5 sacks.
A pair of JUCO transfers will also look to break into the rotation, with Desmond Kelly (Baltimore, Md.-Overlea (Dodge City C.C.)) and Tyler LaBarbera (Elk Grove, Ill.-James B. Conant (DuPage)) continuing to make noise in training camp after joining the team in the spring.
On the outside, EMU will have the tall task of replacing EMU all-time sack leader and NFL draft pick Pat O'Connor at one of the defensive end positions. The players who will be heavily relied on in the pass rush are redshirt sophomore Maxx Crosby (Colleyville, Texas-Colleyville Heritage), and redshirt junior Jeremiah Harris (Lambertville, Mich.-Bedford Senior). Last year, Crosby and Harris combined for 5.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss. Harris, a First Team All-MAC preseason candidate, is EMU's top returning tackler on the d-line with 69 stops, while Crosby chipped in 35 of his own.
The depth on the edges is a little more unproven, but players such as junior Ville Valasti (Helsinki, Finland-Itakeskuksen Lukio (Diablo Valley College)), redshirt sophomore Clay Holford (Carrolton, Texas-Hebron), and redshirt freshman Justice Williams (Detroit, Mich.-Belleville) look to establish a fierce pass rush in their first time seeing significant minutes.
For updates on the EMU football team, be sure to follow @EMUFB on Twitter with the hashtag #FR4REAL.
The Eagles open the 2017 season under the lights at "The Factory" inside Rynearson Stadium Friday, Sept. 1, versus Charlotte. Single-game tickets went on sale to the today, Aug. 7. Season tickets are available for purchase at EMUEagles.com/tickets, by calling 734.487.3669 or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office daily between 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University football team clocked into "The Factory" at Rynearson Stadium for day nine of training camp Friday, Aug. 11, as EMU moved one day closer to the season opener. Today also begins the look at the defensive side of the ball, beginning with the defensive line.
Heading into year two under the tutelage of defensive line coach Chuck Bullough, the Eagles posses an exciting amount of depth and talent, combining both size, as well as speed. With four positions in the 4-2-5 defensive scheme to fill, EMU has the potential to go as far as four-deep at some positions.
Beginning in the middle with the defensive tackles, EMU returns six players who each have double-digit appearances under their belts, led by redshirt senior Luke Maclean (Grand Blanc, Mich.-Grand Blanc (Pittsburgh)) who has 16 starts in 22 appearances. Last season, Maclean only notched 10 tackles, but two were for loss, to go along with three breakups and three hurries. Another senior on the interior is Dion Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio-Western Hills (Dodge City C.C.)) who is EMU's returning leader in terms of stops from a DT with 21 in five starts.
Two other seniors in the middle, who don't have as many starts, but have plenty of minutes are Oddie Granger III (East Saint Louis, Ill.-East Saint Louis (Dodge City C.C.)) and Derrick Dunlap (Indianapolis, Ind.-Lawrence Central). Last season, the two combined for 24 tackles, including one for loss. These four will look to serve a leadership role as the only four seniors in a large group. Beyond the seniors, juniors Chris Hendricks (Fruitport, Mich.-Fruitport) and Kwanii Figueroa (Brooklyn, N.Y.-Paramus Catholic) had productive campaigns in 2016, combining for 24 stops and 1.5 sacks.
A pair of JUCO transfers will also look to break into the rotation, with Desmond Kelly (Baltimore, Md.-Overlea (Dodge City C.C.)) and Tyler LaBarbera (Elk Grove, Ill.-James B. Conant (DuPage)) continuing to make noise in training camp after joining the team in the spring.
On the outside, EMU will have the tall task of replacing EMU all-time sack leader and NFL draft pick Pat O'Connor at one of the defensive end positions. The players who will be heavily relied on in the pass rush are redshirt sophomore Maxx Crosby (Colleyville, Texas-Colleyville Heritage), and redshirt junior Jeremiah Harris (Lambertville, Mich.-Bedford Senior). Last year, Crosby and Harris combined for 5.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss. Harris, a First Team All-MAC preseason candidate, is EMU's top returning tackler on the d-line with 69 stops, while Crosby chipped in 35 of his own.
The depth on the edges is a little more unproven, but players such as junior Ville Valasti (Helsinki, Finland-Itakeskuksen Lukio (Diablo Valley College)), redshirt sophomore Clay Holford (Carrolton, Texas-Hebron), and redshirt freshman Justice Williams (Detroit, Mich.-Belleville) look to establish a fierce pass rush in their first time seeing significant minutes.
For updates on the EMU football team, be sure to follow @EMUFB on Twitter with the hashtag #FR4REAL.
The Eagles open the 2017 season under the lights at "The Factory" inside Rynearson Stadium Friday, Sept. 1, versus Charlotte. Single-game tickets went on sale to the today, Aug. 7. Season tickets are available for purchase at EMUEagles.com/tickets, by calling 734.487.3669 or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office daily between 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
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