ODUSports.com will preview spring football the next few weeks and do a position-by-position breakdown of the Monarchs' roster. Today we preview the Monarch defensive line.
Defensive Line (16)
Torrez Wentz
Ryan Londree
Pat Toal
Brandon Tyson
Mufu Taiwo
Rashaad Coward
Bunmi Rotimi
Galen Evans
Miles Fox
Casey Bernard
Jude Brenya
Tim Ward
Scott Wiggins
Phillippe-Louis Childs
Oshane Ximines
Daniel Appouh
2016 Signees (2)
Juwan Ross
Sam White
Defensive Line Preview: Old Dominion returns a plethora of experience on the defensive line, returning all but one player from last season.
Rashaad Coward started all 12 games and had a defensive line high 47 tackles last season as he heads into his final season with the Monarchs. Bunmi Rotimi improved on his numbers from his rookie season, notching 36 tackles, 4.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss, both numbers second on the team.
Oshane Ximines totaled 32 tackles and led the Monarchs with five sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss. A pair of true freshmen, Tim Ward and Miles Fox, logged significant minutes, as Fox had 25 tackles while Ward had 23 tackles, 2.5 sacks and the game-clinching interception at Eastern Michigan.
Senior to be Scott Wiggins had the best season of his career with 24 tackles and two tackles for loss. Jude Brenya and Pat Toal provide depth at defensive end and defensive tackle, respectively as they had eight tackles apiece in 2015.
Daniel Appouh, Torrez Wentz and Brandon Tyson all return for their sophomore season with game experience after playing in a combined 20 games. Another returner, Galen Evans, suffered a season-ending injury in the opener at Eastern Michigan while Mufu Taiwo and Casey Bernard redshirted.