Defensive Ends

The 2011 defense was outstanding, perhaps the best Arkansas State defense I’ve seen in my thirty years following the program.  There was talent at every level of the defense but in my opinion it was the defensive line that proved to be the overall strength of the defense.  That group was the foundation of a defense that was the reason for a 10-3 record.  38.5 tackles for loss and 21 sacks are gone from last year’s defensive line and replacing that will not be easy, but someone must step up if the Red Wolves are to make another run for a Sun Belt Conference Championship.

AFTER SPRING  

Arkansas State returned 3 scholarship defensive ends from the 2011 team.  Tim Starson (6’5 255 RSR) is the only defensive end that returns with any significant playing time after finishing with 22 tackles, 2 for loss, and 1 sack last season.  Starson was a solid backup last fall but must step up this fall and provide the Red Wolves with not only strength up front but a solid passing attack as well.  Shervarius Jackson (6’2 230 SR) played in only 2 games in 2011 and totaled 2 tackles in 2011 while Darius Dunaway (6’5 260 RJR) saw action in 3 games with 3 tackles.  That is it for the defensive ends coming back from last season.  Jackson finished the spring at the top of the defensive end chart at the Bandit End and the hope is the former JC transfer will be ready to be a contributor this fall.  Dunaway was listed behind Starson on the other end and perhaps he too is ready to be thrust into the lineup.  This spring saw mid semester junior college transfer Lawrence Cayou (6’4 260 JR) and former tight end Chris Stone (6’3 245 RFR) also compete for time at the defensive end position for defensive line coach Kenny Ingram.  Stone moved over from tight end and came out of spring as the backup to Jackson.  Stone is an athletic guy but has to get better at his defensive technique to be ready to provide solid depth at the DE position.  Cayou, a former Texas Tech signee, was brought in with the expectations to push for one of the defensive end jobs this fall but didn’t make the 2 deep at DE after spring practice. 

THE BLINN THREE

The defensive end position really is in need of the influx of talent that will be on campus when the fall arrives.  The Blinn three could all end up at defensive end if defensive coordinator continues to use the 4-2-5 as the base.  Eddie Porter (6’3 235 JR) is probably a outside linebacker and may stay at that position when he arrives at Arkansas State.  But the need for a physical athletic rush defensive end like the Red Wolves had with Joiner could lead Porter to line up on the edge this fall.   If you can imagine Demario Davis as a pass rusher you can visualize the fear Eddie Porter can put into quarterbacks.  Ismail Hayes (6’6 245 JR) and John Gandy (6’0 245 JR) could help keep Porter as a linebacker if they come in a play at the level that is hoped.  Hayes is a long athletic guy that has really shown the ability to lean around the edge and get pressure on the quarterback.  If Hayes plays the way that some believe he is capable then he may be unlike any defensive end ASU has had since Carlos Emmons.  Gandy is relentless as a rusher and can be best described as an effort guy.  He reminds me a lot of another Blinn transfer that was a very good contributor at Arkansas State - Zach Grigsby was a 6’0 240lb sparkplug at DE for Steve Roberts during his two years.

 

FRESHMAN HELP?

Three recruits coming from high school also are potential defensive end candidates but some or all could end up at other positions.   Quintaz Struble (6’2 235 FR), Quanterio Heath (6’3 215 FR) and Darrius Rosser (6’4 260 FR) could all see action at defensive end.  Struble and Heath both could end up at linebackers as well.  Struble has a little bit of a Brian Flagg look to him and we all saw Flagg play as a true freshman.  Heath is athletic enough but will need to get bigger and stronger if he is going to be down in the trenches.  Heath may end up starting out at linebacker but could easily grow into a DE.  Rosser has the size to be in the trenches but is he going to be able to move well enough to be on the outside.  He may end up in the interior defensive line unless he proves the athleticism to stay on the edge.

Interior D-Line to follow...