Carson-Newman Football Position Previews: The Defensive Line
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – This is the fourth part in an eight-part series chronicling Carson-Newman football's positions for the 2024 season. This feature breaks down the Eagles’ defensive line with assistance from Johnson Jamison.
VIDEO: Coaches in Cars Getting Coffee – Johnson Jamison
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – This is the fourth part in an eight-part series chronicling Carson-Newman football's positions for the 2024 season. This feature breaks down the Eagles' defensive line with assistance from Johnson Jamison.
The Carson-Newman defensive line is the lone position group on the defensive side of the ball that lost regular starters from last year. Interior lineman Jaheim Wilson and Jordun Wilson both graduated after providing noteworthy run-stopping power up front.
However, the Eagles used a platoon style last year, resulting in noteworthy experience for much of the remaining two-deep. Jacorey Long has starting experience at three of the four positions up front for C-N (DT is the lone exception), while Max Bryant and David Alexander have started multiple games at two positions of front.
Long earned preseason all-league laurels for C-N as the result of a 50-tackle campaign, the first by a d-lineman since Montel Presley's All-SAC season in 2019. Long, Presley and Javaris Neal have the only 50-tackle years by defensive lineman for the football program in the last decade.
"It's been so fun to watch Jacorey grow as a football player and a man," Jamison said. "He brings tremendous talent and ability. We've seen him blossom. He's the leader of the room and he does a good job holding himself accountable so he can hold others accountable. He pushes everyone to a different level. From a playmaking standpoint, he's the guy that can get in the backfield and get guys to the ground."
Long finished the season with 52 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks. He also forced four fumbles, sixth most nationally and the third-most for a single-season in school history. His 8.0 sacks are tied for the 14th-most in a single season in school history. The junior had a career-best 13-tackle day against Tusculum (Oct. 7), the first double-digit tackle performance by a C-N defensive lineman since 2016.
Bryant Appeared in nine games with three starts on the defensive line for C-N. He made six tackles on the year. Outside of the football gridiron, volunteers his time a camera operator for the Eagle Sports Network. He topped out at three tackles in the finale against Catawba (Nov. 11).
"Max Bryant does everything that you ever ask him to do and you never hear much from him," Jamison said. "Because he's so consistent, you never think about it. He's been a huge piece of what we've done the last couple of years. He's a little banged up right now, but he's a third coach for us right now. He's teaching and is just a steady presence."
Alexander made the change to defensive end mid-year last season, starting nine games between that position and DT. Alexander had 24 tackles with a tackle for loss and a half sack. He also logged a blocked kick and a pass breakup. He blocked his kick - a field goal - at Newberry (Sept. 30). Alexander registered four tackles in three straight weeks against the Wolves, Tusculum (Oct. 7) and at Erskine (Oct. 14).
"David has been around a long time," Jamison said. "He's played a lot of football, and he keeps getting stronger while being committed to his technique. This may be a year where his name gets called a little more. I'm excited for where he stands."
Jamison pointed toward rising sophomore Martavis Mason as a player who had grown by leaps from his freshman season.
"Martavis Mason came in last year as a true freshman and was committed to learning and going full speed," Jamison said. "Chico needs two nicknames because he is a load to deal with coming off the edge. He brings some vocality and toughness that carries over to the field. When he turns it loose, it's exciting."
Mason made an impact as a freshman on C-N's defensive line. He appeared in all 11 games for the Eagles with 19 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. His game strengthened as the season went along. He registered career highs for tackles in consecutive five-stop days against Emory & Henry (Oct. 28) and UVA Wise (Nov. 4). He had 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks against the Wasps.
While Mason adds strength on the outside, Dedrick McClain returns for his senior season on the interior.
"Dedrick McClain is another one who has gone through some adversity, but has blossomed," Jamison said. "He and Jacorey really feed off one another and carry that energy off to the group."
He made 10 tackles with .5 tackles for loss and four quarterback hurries. He had a career-high three tackles against UVA Wise (Nov. 4).
Jamison pointed out Jesse Combs, Brandon Dumezil, Ty Holiday and Jimi Olarinde as freshmen who could make an impact.
"Jesse Combs came in tremendously big and strong," Jamison said. "He has great pass rush technique. He came in at the start of fall camp and was lifting extra weight, which we had to stop because we need him available. But you'd always rather to reign a guy in than have to drive him harder."
Carson-Newman's position previews continue Friday with a glimpse of the special teams with help from Antonio Goss.
