Defensive Front Looks to Replace Three Starters in 2005
8/9/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 9, 2005
Though the departure of starters Larry Burt and Will Rueff at defensive tackle leaves a void on Miami's defensive line, the RedHawks return an impressive amount of experience in the defensive trenches and are hoping the right mix of veterans and young talent will continue to spearhead what has been one of the MAC's top rushing defenses.
Miami's defensive line finds its foundation in a pair of seniors who had been steady contributors early in their careers before breaking out last season. Leading the way is defensive end Marcus Johnson, who moved from defensive tackle to end prior to last season, and led the RedHawks in sacks (7.5) and tackles for loss (12.5). A first-team all-MAC selection in 2004, Johnson is arguably the MAC's top returning defensive end entering 2005.
In the middle, Miami can count on the strong interior presence of John Glavin, who enters his fourth season as a factor at defensive tackle. Glavin, who posted 39 tackles and 9.0 stops for loss in 2004, earned MAC East Defensive Player of the Week honors last November when he sacked Akron's Charlie Frye three times.
Another senior, Mike Barz, who has seen limited action over the past two seasons, also should figure strongly into the mix for the RedHawks. A veteran of the program, Barz has proven himself as a capable run stopper with good size and impressive strength and should step into a larger role with the loss of Burt and Rueff to graduation and the loss of Jarrod Rich to injury. Sophomore Otto Linwood, who saw his first action last season, also should see time as a run-stopper.
Vying for time opposite of Johnson at the other defensive end position are junior Tranaine Sills and sophomore Craig Mester. Both gifted pass rushers with surprising speed off the edge, Sills and Mester have each seen significant time in their young careers at Miami. Sills played on passing downs as a true freshman, notching six quarterback sacks, and was in on 3.5 more sacks in 2004 despite battling injury late in the year. Mester broke out as a redshirt freshman, playing in nine games and making his first career start at Western Michigan. He totaled 5.0 sacks in 2004.
The RedHawks will look to a large contingent of redshirt freshmen to supply depth on the defensive line in 2005. James Case is expected to contend for time at defensive end, while Ben Huddle, Steve Sutter and Ryan Redman all could make an impact at defensive tackle.
"Though we've lost some regulars on the defensive line, we return a number of proven players," Montgomery said. "John and Marcus are both guys who started last season and have played a lot of football. Craig and Tranaine are both guys who've been able gain significant experience in a short time. We've also got a host of redshirt freshmen we're excited about, who could make an impact early on. It will be an interesting position to watch during fall camp.
