CAMP SPOTLIGHT: Defensive Line

8/14/2019 8:32:00 AM | Football

While the Bulls will need to replace three starters on the defensive line, they do return a number of players that saw significant action and were a major part of the defensive line rotation in 2018.

Chibueze Onwuka started the first five games of the season and appeared in 12 on the year at defensive tackle as a sophomore in 2018. Onwuka has been a nice surprise at defensive tackle after originally walking on to the squad. The Maryland native had 17 tackles and 1.5 sacks last season.

When Onwuka was forced out of the starting lineup six games into the 2018 campaign with an injury, DeShondrick Foxworth stepped in and started four games at defensive tackle. The senior Mississippi native had 20 tackles and a sack last season.

Eddie Wilson had a strong finish to the 2018 season, starting the final three games at defensive tackle as a true freshman. Wilson appeared in all 14 games and had 17 tackles and a sack. He trimmed down in the offseason and looks to be quicker on his feet.

At defensive end, Malcolm Koonce and Taylor Riggins are ready to become regular starters for the Bulls after solid seasons as reserves in 2018. Koonce appeared in all 14 games and had 30 tackles and three sacks last season. Riggins also appeared in every game in 2018 and had 31 tackles and ranked second on the team with five sacks.

Ledarius Mack was a solid contributor at defensive end after originally playing linebacker. Used mostly in third-down pass-rush situations, Mack had 16 tackles and a pair of sacks in 2018.

Defensive tackle Atunaisa Vainikolo redshirted last season after transferring from Mt. San Antonio College. The new redshirt rule allowed him to gain experience by playing in four games in 2018.

Eric Black is in his third season with the program as a walk-on defensive end. He appeared in one game in 2018 and had a tackle for loss.

Newcomers adding depth to the defensive line rotation will be Ronald McGee and Tyrece Woods, Jr., who both enrolled in January, Jordan Avissey, C.J. Bazile, Georell Kidd and Kyler Laing.