Position Preview: Defensive Line
This is the final installment for the defensive side of the ball. Previous articles covered the Cornerbacks, Linebackers, and Safeties.
The defensive line is the position group that is most in flux in 2017. Gone are senior starters Jared Blum and Cole Langer as well as super-sub Shane Gottlob. The Jacks also lost part-time starter Christian Banasiak to transfer. Between these four, the Jacks are losing 8 sacks and 127 tackles and a whole lot of reps.
Clint Brown returns as the Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Ends coach. Brown has been with the Jacks for 8 seasons. Christian Smith joins the Jackrabbits for his first season as the defensive tackles coach. Smith was most recently at Iowa State University as a graduate assistant.
Coach Smith is excited about his group of defensive tackles because of their potential. They are a very close group and all were present for the summer workouts and spent a lot of time together off the field. The group pushes each other to be better because of the competition for reps.
Coach Brown talked about the need to improve on 3rd down. He said that a good pass rush up front would help the whole defense. He will be looking for players who can put heat on the quarterback in those third down situations.
Defensive Tackle:
#94 Kellen Soulek leads the way for his senior year. Soulek enjoyed a break-out year and was recognized as a preseason MVFC first team selection. Soulek managed 46 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and 1 very memorable interception return for a touchdown. Soulek will need to be just as good, if not better, this season for the Jackrabbit defense to improve. In order to take the next step Smith wants Soulek to work on the details and provide excellent leadership to the younger players.
#99 Blake Whitsell is back for his junior season and will look to move into the starting lineup after serving in a reserve role his first two years. Blake registered 7 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season. It seemed like his play improved as the season went on. Smith said that the defensive staff felt like this was Whitsell's best spring season.
#96 Spencer Hildahl joined the rotation as a redshirt freshman and contributed as injuries mounted last season. Smith mentioned Hildahl while listing players who had a good spring and summer. He will be expected to make plays and provide quality minutes this year.
#93 Matt Fry will contribute as a junior through his hard work and effort. Smith said that Fry is a great kid and has personal goals for himself that will help the team.
#95 Thomas Stacker and #50 Austin Barrett are ready to contribute after red-shirting last year. Smith said they made big strides in the spring. He also said that they are fun to coach because they are so thirsty for knowledge and want to improve.
#67 Xavier Ward and #69 Krockett Krolikowski are true freshman who will get a look in fall camp and could contribute to the rotation this fall. Both were multi-sport athletes in high school and they should now excel on a college weight lifting program.
Defensive End:
#58 Chase Kern has returned for his Junior season after missing last year due to injury. Chase used the year to get bigger and stronger. Coach said that it is HUGE to have Kern back because of the consistency that he brings every snap.
#90 Ryan Earith is ready to go for his sophomore season. Earith plays with a tremendous motor and had 30 tackles and 2 sacks last season. Earith battled through injuries at the start of the season but really came on as he got healthier at the end of the season.
#34 Austin Smenda gained valuable experience last year and is back for his sophomore year. Smenda secured 20 tackles and 1.5 sacks last year. Brown said that Smenda has great "bend" for the position and that he can turn a corner really well. Hopefully this translates into more of a pass rush this season.
#55 Mason Leiseth will be a senior and is a "lunch pail" type of player. Mason's greatest strength is that he is experienced and knows what his job is and where he is supposed to be. Now it is just putting it all together on the field.
#66 Elijah Wilson wants to contribute as a redshirt freshman. Wilson was one of the top recruits in the 2016 class and Coach Stig said during the radio broadcast of the spring game that Wilson had at times been "unblockable" in practice. Coach Brown described him as "explosive." Wilson may also line up as a defensive tackle in certain pass rush situations.
#22 Tolu Ogunrinde is an intriguing player as he is switching positions this season. He will be a redshirt freshman but has the size, speed, and strength to be an impact player. Tolu did play some defense in high school and has a natural ability for the position. He will have to work on his technique but Coach Brown is excited to see him on the field in camp.
#91 Tristen Leiseth, #51 Andrew Mueller #59 Zach Dorgan, and #98 Dylan Winegar will add depth to the rotation and will compete for time on special teams.
Finally, the true freshmen #97 Reece Winkelman and #43 Daniel Callender are both highly regarded. Callender should contribute right away, especially in passing situations. He was a second team Parade All-American and registered 22 sacks as a high school senior. Winkelman spent most of his prep career as a linebacker so he possesses tremendous athleticism. If they don't play this year, look for them to give quarterbacks nightmares in future seasons.
Go Jacks!
-Matt
The defensive line is the position group that is most in flux in 2017. Gone are senior starters Jared Blum and Cole Langer as well as super-sub Shane Gottlob. The Jacks also lost part-time starter Christian Banasiak to transfer. Between these four, the Jacks are losing 8 sacks and 127 tackles and a whole lot of reps.
Clint Brown returns as the Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Ends coach. Brown has been with the Jacks for 8 seasons. Christian Smith joins the Jackrabbits for his first season as the defensive tackles coach. Smith was most recently at Iowa State University as a graduate assistant.
Coach Smith is excited about his group of defensive tackles because of their potential. They are a very close group and all were present for the summer workouts and spent a lot of time together off the field. The group pushes each other to be better because of the competition for reps.
Coach Brown talked about the need to improve on 3rd down. He said that a good pass rush up front would help the whole defense. He will be looking for players who can put heat on the quarterback in those third down situations.
Defensive Tackle:
#94 Kellen Soulek leads the way for his senior year. Soulek enjoyed a break-out year and was recognized as a preseason MVFC first team selection. Soulek managed 46 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and 1 very memorable interception return for a touchdown. Soulek will need to be just as good, if not better, this season for the Jackrabbit defense to improve. In order to take the next step Smith wants Soulek to work on the details and provide excellent leadership to the younger players.
#99 Blake Whitsell is back for his junior season and will look to move into the starting lineup after serving in a reserve role his first two years. Blake registered 7 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season. It seemed like his play improved as the season went on. Smith said that the defensive staff felt like this was Whitsell's best spring season.
#96 Spencer Hildahl joined the rotation as a redshirt freshman and contributed as injuries mounted last season. Smith mentioned Hildahl while listing players who had a good spring and summer. He will be expected to make plays and provide quality minutes this year.
#93 Matt Fry will contribute as a junior through his hard work and effort. Smith said that Fry is a great kid and has personal goals for himself that will help the team.
#95 Thomas Stacker and #50 Austin Barrett are ready to contribute after red-shirting last year. Smith said they made big strides in the spring. He also said that they are fun to coach because they are so thirsty for knowledge and want to improve.
#67 Xavier Ward and #69 Krockett Krolikowski are true freshman who will get a look in fall camp and could contribute to the rotation this fall. Both were multi-sport athletes in high school and they should now excel on a college weight lifting program.
Defensive End:
#58 Chase Kern has returned for his Junior season after missing last year due to injury. Chase used the year to get bigger and stronger. Coach said that it is HUGE to have Kern back because of the consistency that he brings every snap.
#90 Ryan Earith is ready to go for his sophomore season. Earith plays with a tremendous motor and had 30 tackles and 2 sacks last season. Earith battled through injuries at the start of the season but really came on as he got healthier at the end of the season.
#34 Austin Smenda gained valuable experience last year and is back for his sophomore year. Smenda secured 20 tackles and 1.5 sacks last year. Brown said that Smenda has great "bend" for the position and that he can turn a corner really well. Hopefully this translates into more of a pass rush this season.
#55 Mason Leiseth will be a senior and is a "lunch pail" type of player. Mason's greatest strength is that he is experienced and knows what his job is and where he is supposed to be. Now it is just putting it all together on the field.
#66 Elijah Wilson wants to contribute as a redshirt freshman. Wilson was one of the top recruits in the 2016 class and Coach Stig said during the radio broadcast of the spring game that Wilson had at times been "unblockable" in practice. Coach Brown described him as "explosive." Wilson may also line up as a defensive tackle in certain pass rush situations.
#22 Tolu Ogunrinde is an intriguing player as he is switching positions this season. He will be a redshirt freshman but has the size, speed, and strength to be an impact player. Tolu did play some defense in high school and has a natural ability for the position. He will have to work on his technique but Coach Brown is excited to see him on the field in camp.
#91 Tristen Leiseth, #51 Andrew Mueller #59 Zach Dorgan, and #98 Dylan Winegar will add depth to the rotation and will compete for time on special teams.
Finally, the true freshmen #97 Reece Winkelman and #43 Daniel Callender are both highly regarded. Callender should contribute right away, especially in passing situations. He was a second team Parade All-American and registered 22 sacks as a high school senior. Winkelman spent most of his prep career as a linebacker so he possesses tremendous athleticism. If they don't play this year, look for them to give quarterbacks nightmares in future seasons.
Go Jacks!
-Matt
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