2022 Preview: Defensive Line

RETURNERS: Markel Perry, Jevon Leon, Chris Scott, Briceon Hayes, Nick Abengowe, Cameron Plummer, Richard Outland, Matthew Aribisala, Goodness Nwawuihe
NEWCOMERS: Ellison Hubbard, Chris Murray, Lloyd Murray, Toby Ndukwe, Tyler Moore, Andrew Edmonson, Ca'lub Holloway, Trent Ward

HUNTSVILLE – When K.C. Keeler made it known that the Bearkats needed to change the way the roster was built after the 2017 to compete with the elite of the FCS, no position group was effected more than the Bearkat defensive line.

And starting in 2019, there may not have been a more elite position group in all of the FCS than what the Kats put on the field each week on the defensive side of the line of scrimmage.

But as the Kats begin the transition to FBS in 2022, they will look towards a key group of returners and a big batch of talented newcomers to fill the void of players such as Joseph Wallace, Trace Mascorro, Jahari Kay and Scean Mustin who finished out their eligibility following the 2021 season.

Leading the charge of the rebuilt defensive line is arguably the top returner of the group, senior Markel Perry, who enters the season as one of the top defensive players in the FCS. He has already been named to the Buck Buchanan Award watch list and was tabbed as the Preseason WAC Defensive Player of the Year after racking up 38.5 TFLs and 16.5 sacks over the past three seasons.

"I don't know if I've ever coached anyone in my career who plays harder than Markel," Bearkat co-defensive coordinator Joe Morris said. "He exemplifies what swarm and compete means to our defense."

Part of Perry's value to the Kats comes with his versatility, which allows him to fit his role as Jack in the Kats' defensive scheme. In that role he will play in roles off the line, but truly excels as an elite pass rusher.

He will be joined on the line by other key returners Jevon Leon and Chris Scott, both of whom will continue to fill roles in different ways. Leon has racked up plenty of honors in his three seasons as a defensive end with the Kats, leading all freshmen in the FCS in sacks and TFLs in 2019. Meanwhile Scott has been an integral part of the depth of the interior of the Kats' defensive line, playing in 25 games there since 2019.

"Jevon provides a lot because he's got length and is such a smart player who knows what we are," Morris said. "And Chris can go forward with the best of them and just really works his tail off every single play. I expect both of them to have really impactful seasons."

Other returners such as Briceon Hayes and Cameron Plummer give the Kats a rush threat from the edge, while Matthew Aribisala and Richard Outland give the Kats options key depth pieces on the interior. But Sam Houston also successfully hit the transfer portal to replace what it lost with experienced pieces, especially on the interior with players such as Ellison Hubbard, Chris and Lloyd Murray, Toby Ndukwe and Tyler Moore.

Hubbard was one of those key additions and the coaching staff feels he should make an immediate impact on the interior of the line after playing in 37 games since 2017 at Colorado State. Additionally, the Murray brothers – Chris and Lloyd – join the fold after Chris Spent a year at TCU and Lloyd spent multiple years at Colorado.

"The Murrays have upsides that are extremely high," Morris said. "They both have the ability to come in and help out the team early, but I can't wait to watch them help this team for the next four years."

Each were highly-rated prospects coming out of Wichita Falls Hirschi High School with Chris being tabbed as one of the top defensive ends in the state after his prep career. Lloyd should factor in immediately on the interior of the line and has 13 games under his belt with the Buffaloes, including 12 games in 2019.

The Kats have also had success over the years with versatile defensive lineman and could have the next one in that mold with SMU transfer Toby Ndukwe. A prepster from George Ranch High School, Ndukwe is another with a lot of FBS experience, playing in 43 games for the Mustangs. That came after a decorated high school career that included being named the MVP of the 2015 Class 5A Division II state title game.

"Toby is real versatile, kind of our swiss army knife who can play a lot of different spots up front," Morris said. "He's a really intelligent football player who we are really excited to have."

The Kats also made a late addition to get deeper on the line just before camp with defensive tackle Tyler Moore, a transfer from Kennesaw State, another of the most successful programs in the FCS in recent years. There he played in 39 career games for the Owls since 2018, racking up 64 tackles with six TFLs.

2022 Preview: Defensive Line

Players Mentioned

Nick Abengowe

Matthew Aribisala

Andrew Edmonson

Briceon Hayes

Ca'lub Holloway

Ellison Hubbard

Jahari Kay

Jevon Leon

Trace Mascorro

Tyler Moore

Chris Murray

Lloyd Murray

Scean Mustin

Toby Ndukwe

Goodness Nwawuihe

Richard Outland Jr.

Markel Perry

Cameron Plummer

Chris Scott

Joseph Wallace

Trent Ward

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