"Countdown To Kickoff": The Defensive Line
Editor's Note: This is the fifth installment of an eight-part series produced by the FSU Athletics Communications Office looking at different position groups as the Bulldogs prepare for their 2009 season opener on Saturday, Aug. 29, against Tiffin at Top Taggart Field.
Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University football team's
defensive line will no doubt have a much different look in
2009.
The Bulldogs enter the season minus one of the top performers to
ever wear the Crimson and Gold colors in three-time All-America
defensive tackle Jake Visser. The four-year starter was
regarded as one of the nation's top players last fall and a thorn
in the opposition's side throughout his entire career.
It's highly unlikely Visser's shoes will be filled by any one
player, but a group of solid returnees and a few additions should
help keep FSU's strong defensive line tradition alive and well.
On the inside, the Bulldogs welcome back a returning starter in
Kory Deering (Grand Rapids/West Catholic) at one
of the tackle spots. The 6-3 Deering has the potential to be
one of the league's top players at his position after recording 26
total stops including two for loss a year ago. He is expected
to be the leader of this group.
Besides Visser, the Bulldogs also lost two other starters up front
in ends Kyle Walker and Darnell Wilson, leaving the door open for a
pair of returning letterwinners in senior Joe
Morrow (Kingsley) and junior tackle Jacob
Moreno (Holt). Both have been around the program and
figure to contend for starting roles after seeing significant
action last campaign. Moreno finished with 29 tackles
last year as a six-game starter in relief of an injured Wilson
while Morrow appeared in nine contests overall.
"We lost some starters up front, but we're still an older team on
the defensive side of the ball," said FSU Defensive Coordinator
Duane Wilson. "We're expecting big things
out of Kory Deering and both Morrow and Moreno have been around and
will get their chance to play a little more."
The Bulldogs are also high on redshirt freshman Jordan
Morgan (Chicago, Ill./Mt. Carmel), who received the
squad's Defensive Newcomer Award for his work during spring
practice. Morgan is penciled in to start at one of the
defensive end spots opposite Morrow and could help make up for
Visser's loss by providing a consistent pass rush threat.
"We really like Jordan's ability and he had a dynamite spring so
hopefully that will help us replace some of the guys we lost up
front," Wilson said.
Ferris also returns sophomore Muneer Bawayeh
(Dearborn/Fordson), who should challenge for additional playing
time after seeing limited action as a reserve last fall.
Senior Marvin Hicks (Detroit/Farmington Hills
Harrison) is another player with the ability to see game action
this campaign.
"We lost some guys to graduation, but it gives some other guys who
have been in the program an opportunity to step up this season,"
head coach Jeff Pierce said. "We're
reloading this group and some guys will be adjusting to new roles
in helping replace those guys we lost."
FSU added a late transfer in former Brevard (N.C.) College
starter Tinh Ho (Atlanta, Ga./Norcross), who has
prior game experience and should contend for time.
A group of redshirt freshmen could also figure into the mix if
healthy including Brad Iskow (Bad Ake),
Rance Mask (Lansing/Everett) and Justin
Williams (Pontiac/Central), who was the squad's recipient
of Tomorrow's Team Defensive Player of the Year honor for his
efforts last season.
Fellow redshirt freshman Dean Roberts (Grass
Lake/Chelsea) was moved from the offensive line prior to fall camp
to help supply additional depth while the Bulldogs also made this
area a focus during the recruiting period.
Several incoming freshmen joined the team this fall and will be
expected to progress as time goes along including Banay
Jones (Flint/Hamady), Victor Mercado (Bay
City/Central), Brandon Lane (Davison/Livonia
Franklin), Brandon Ross (Port Charlotte,
Fla./Charlotte), William Mazur (Comstock Park),
Devin Kachinosky (Dearborn Heights/Divine Child)
and Hunter Atkins (Kalamazoo Central).
Next Installment: The "Countdown To Kickoff" series will resume on Saturday (Aug. 22) with a look at the linebackers.
