Camp Spotlight: Defensive Line
8/20/2021 2:05:00 PM | Football
The Bulls will return a pair of starters on the defensive line from a season ago and will also return a first-team All-MAC defensive end from 2019 who missed last season with an injury. In addition, several imposing new faces will be looking to make an immediate impact.
Taylor Riggins is back after missing 2020 with an injury. The senior defensive end was an All-MAC First Team selection in 2019 after totaling 50 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries. He ranked second in the league in sacks two seasons ago.
Injuries forced George Wolo into the starting lineup as a true freshman and he didn't disappoint. The young defensive tackle played in all seven games, including starts in the final four of the season. He ranked second on the team in sacks with three to go along with 27 tackles, four tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.
Eric Black is a player that emerged as a factor in 2020. With the loss of Riggins to injury, Black was elevated to starter and started every game for the Bulls in 2020. He had 12 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and a forced fumble. He had two sacks on Marshall's final drive to help the Bulls win the 2020 Camellia Bowl.
Max Michel was a key member of the defensive end rotation in 2020. The junior played in all seven games and earned the start against Marshall in the Camellia Bowl. He had 17 tackles, four tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble on the season.
Kyler Laing showed promise in his redshirt-freshman campaign in 2020. He had 17 tackles, four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and a force fumble while showing good speed off the edge.
With injuries at the defensive tackle position in 2020, walk-on Dom Polizzi stepped up and did an admirable job filling in. He remained in the rotation even when the line was at full strength.
Sophomore C.J. Bazile and redshirt-freshmen Bryce Johnson-Maith and Michael Tetteh will also add depth on the defensive line.
Transfers, Josh Rogers (Texas A&M), Daishon Folsom (Hutchinson CC), Daymond Williams (Cisco College) and Tyler Carter (Fullerton College) will all look to make an immediate impact.
At 6-6, 295, Rogers might be the tallest defensive tackle to ever play at UB. He played three seasons at Texas A&M before transferring to UB.
Folsom transferred from Hutchinson Community College where he played a key role in helping the Blue Dragons win a National Championship in 2021. He had 32 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss five sacks last season.
Williams transferred from Cisco College in Texas where he was a NJCAA honorable mention All-American. He had 36 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks for a Wrangler squad that went 7-0.
Carter was a highly-touted player out of high school who spent two years at Michigan State before playing at Fullerton College last season.
Freshman defensive tackle Floyd Dozier and defensive ends Chris King, Anton Ricumstrict and Solomanie Bambara are also joining the Bulls this season and are already showing promise.
Rounding out the defensive line unit are walk-ons Zander Heim, Mason Hoose, Sunil Fong, Nick Zikuski and Nick Hunter.
The 2021 season kicks off on September 2 against Wagner at UB Stadium. For tickets contact the UB ticket office at 1-877-UB-THERE or click here.
Taylor Riggins is back after missing 2020 with an injury. The senior defensive end was an All-MAC First Team selection in 2019 after totaling 50 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries. He ranked second in the league in sacks two seasons ago.
Injuries forced George Wolo into the starting lineup as a true freshman and he didn't disappoint. The young defensive tackle played in all seven games, including starts in the final four of the season. He ranked second on the team in sacks with three to go along with 27 tackles, four tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.
Eric Black is a player that emerged as a factor in 2020. With the loss of Riggins to injury, Black was elevated to starter and started every game for the Bulls in 2020. He had 12 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and a forced fumble. He had two sacks on Marshall's final drive to help the Bulls win the 2020 Camellia Bowl.
Max Michel was a key member of the defensive end rotation in 2020. The junior played in all seven games and earned the start against Marshall in the Camellia Bowl. He had 17 tackles, four tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble on the season.
Kyler Laing showed promise in his redshirt-freshman campaign in 2020. He had 17 tackles, four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and a force fumble while showing good speed off the edge.
With injuries at the defensive tackle position in 2020, walk-on Dom Polizzi stepped up and did an admirable job filling in. He remained in the rotation even when the line was at full strength.
Sophomore C.J. Bazile and redshirt-freshmen Bryce Johnson-Maith and Michael Tetteh will also add depth on the defensive line.
Transfers, Josh Rogers (Texas A&M), Daishon Folsom (Hutchinson CC), Daymond Williams (Cisco College) and Tyler Carter (Fullerton College) will all look to make an immediate impact.
At 6-6, 295, Rogers might be the tallest defensive tackle to ever play at UB. He played three seasons at Texas A&M before transferring to UB.
Folsom transferred from Hutchinson Community College where he played a key role in helping the Blue Dragons win a National Championship in 2021. He had 32 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss five sacks last season.
Williams transferred from Cisco College in Texas where he was a NJCAA honorable mention All-American. He had 36 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks for a Wrangler squad that went 7-0.
Carter was a highly-touted player out of high school who spent two years at Michigan State before playing at Fullerton College last season.
Freshman defensive tackle Floyd Dozier and defensive ends Chris King, Anton Ricumstrict and Solomanie Bambara are also joining the Bulls this season and are already showing promise.
Rounding out the defensive line unit are walk-ons Zander Heim, Mason Hoose, Sunil Fong, Nick Zikuski and Nick Hunter.
The 2021 season kicks off on September 2 against Wagner at UB Stadium. For tickets contact the UB ticket office at 1-877-UB-THERE or click here.
Players Mentioned
DE
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DT
/ Football
DT
/ Football
DT
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DT
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DT
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DT
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DT
/ Football
DT
/ Football
DT
/ FootballUB Bulls celebrate tough win over Eastern Michigan
Monday, October 06
Week 6 Recap | Buffalo vs. Eastern Michigan
Monday, October 06
UB Football Postgame Press Conference (vs. Eastern Michigan)
Sunday, October 05
Head Coach Pete Lembo on young players stepping up and what to expect from Easter Michigan
Tuesday, September 30
