Training Camp Position Preview: Defensive Line
8/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Throughout the month of August, LibertyFlames.com will run a series of interviews with each of Liberty's position coaches, getting further insight in each position leading into the 2015 season.
LibertyFlames.com continues its position previews today with a look at the Flames defensive line, a position that returns half of its starters from the 2014 season.
One of the most consistent positions on Liberty's roster in 2014 was the Flames defensive line, as the foursome of Toby Onyechi (DE), Dominique Davis (DT), JaRon Greene (NG) and Chima Uzowihe (RE) started all 14 games together.
The consistency paid dividends for Liberty's defensive line, which as a whole, had one of its best seasons in nearly two decades. Liberty led the Big South with 29 sacks, the most by a Flames defensive unit since 1997. More impressively, all 29 sacks were recorded by members of Liberty's defensive line.
The Flames will be looking to replace the left side of Liberty's starting four-man front with the graduation of Onyechi and Davis. Both players excelled during their last season at Liberty with Davis earning All-Big South first team honors and Onyechi securing a second team all-conference selection.
Davis ranked fifth on Liberty's roster with 61 tackles (33 solo, 28 assisted) and added 12.0 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks. His numbers allowed him to secure a NFL free agent contract as he is currently in training camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Onyechi also had a banner year in 2014, finishing the season with a career best 49 stops (27 solo, 22 assisted), including 13.0 tackles for a loss and 9.5 sacks.
The returning portion of last year's starting defensive linemen worked together on the most significant play of the 2014 season. Both members of Liberty's special teams field goal block unit, Greene was able to clear a path that allowed Uzowihe to block Coastal Carolina's last second field goal attempt. Uzowihe's block secured Liberty's 15-14 win over No. 1 Coastal Carolina and pushed the Flames into the NCAA FCS Playoffs for the first time in program history.
Uzowihe has received multiple preseason honors, including being named to the STATS FCS Preseason All-America team and the STATS FCS Defensive Player of the Year Watch List. The senior finished 2014 with 42 tackles (23 solo, 19 assisted), 14.0 tackles for a loss, 8.0 sacks, two blocked kicks and three forced fumbles.
Greene had the best year of his career, finishing the season with 29 tackles (11 solo, 18 assisted), including 8.0 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks and three quarterback hurries.
Erwin Dessources (DE) and Nolan Spicer (DT) will look to solidify the left side of the line with the departure of Onyechi and Davis.
Spicer saw the most playing time of his career in 2014, as he competed for the Flames in 13 of 14 contests. The senior finished the season with a career best 21 tackles (nine solo, 12 assisted). Dessources also had the best year of his career, as the junior played in 12 games with 17 tackles (eight solo, nine assisted).
Providing back up to the projected starting four of Dessources, Spicer, Greene and Uzowihe will be a large group consisting of mostly underclassmen. The only upperclassmen in the group is junior Gerald Holt, who was named the program's Samkon Gado Award winner in the spring (most improved defensive player during spring workouts).
Liberty's remaining defensive linemen will be made up of sophomores (Dia'Vante Brown, Spencer Cook and Marc Wilson) and redshirt freshmen (Tolen Avery, Dane Dabney, Ben Fiordelise and Javon Majors).
Defensive Line Position at a Glance:
(Depth Chart leading into August Training Camp)
Starters
DE – Erwin Dessources (Jr., 6-1, 235)
DT – Nolan Spicer (Sr., 6-3, 270)
NG – JaRon Greene (Jr., 6-2, 310)
RE – Chima Uzowihe (Sr., 6-2, 250)
Back-Ups
Dia'Vante Brown (So., 6-2, 240)
Spencer Cook (So., 6-1, 285)
Gerald Holt (Jr., 6-3, 295)
Marc Wilson (So., 6-3, 250)
Reserve
Tolen Avery (R-Fr., 6-4, 235)
Dane Dabney (R-Fr., 6-0, 265)
Ben Fiordelise (R-Fr., 6-3, 275)
Javon Majors (R-Fr., 6-3, 280)
Practice Update:
Following three consecutive morning workouts, the Flames moved off campus today for an afternoon workout, which included a scrimmage period. Liberty will have a special teams practice on Sunday before returning to its morning workout schedule on Monday.
LibertyFlames.com's coverage of the Flames' August training camp continues tomorrow when the website visits with senior running back Desmond Rice.
