With the beginning of spring football practice just a week away, ODUSports.com will preview each position before the first day of practice. Today's preview we take a look at the defensive line.
Defensive Line
Old Dominion loses three starters in Malik Gumbs, Chris Smith and Andrew Everett, but returns several players with significant playing experience in Poncho Barnwell, Jude Brenya, Rashaad Coward, Terrell Reid and Bunmi Rotimi. A junior college transfer, Barnwell led the Monarchs in sacks and started 11 games while Coward and Rotimi teamed up to clog up the middle, combining for 56 tackles and five tackles for loss.
The Returners
Barnwell leads also returners with 34 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss. Rotimi added a pair of sacks while Coward had 2.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery.
Brenya and Reid combined for 29 tackles while Reid had four quarterback hurries and three tackles for loss. Scott Wiggins played in five games, recording four tackles.
The Newcomers
Daniel Appouh, Ryan Londree, Pat Toal, Brandon Tyson, Torrez Wentz and Oshane Ximines redshirted in the fall while Tim Ward joined the Monarchs in January out of High Point Central High School.
By The Numbers
6: Number of defensive linemen that redshirted in 2014.
11.5: Number of sacks by defensive linemen in 2014.