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Big Sky position rankings: Defensive linemen
Billings Gazette, June 19
Greg Rachac | Posted: Saturday, June 19, 2010 5:00 pm | No Comments Posted
(NOTE: This is the sixth installment of a series in which we here at the Cat-Griz Insider rank the Top 10 players at each position in advance of the 2010 Big Sky Conference football season. Below are the defensive linemen.)
The defensive line position is one of the deepest units for returning players in the Big Sky Conference in 2010. Eleven All-Big Sky players are set to come back to their respective teams this season, helping bolster a great group of defensive players marked throughout the league.
The statistics tell the tale. Among our Top 10 list of the best DLs in the league, 54.5 sacks and 88.5 tackles for loss are coming back this season.
With that, here are the best of the best of the defensive linemen in 2010:
TOP 10 DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
1 - Christian Clark, Sr., Sacramento State
Comment: His 10 sacks were tops in the Big Sky Conference last year.
2 - Dan Ogden, Sr., Montana State
Comment: A major key for Cats, who led in yards allowed in '08 and '09.
3 - Renard Williams, Jr., Eastern Washington
Comment: Big interior lineman had a high volume of TFLs (14.5) in '09.
4 - Isaac Bond, Jr., Northern Arizona
Comment: Speedy D-end made short work of quarterbacks last year.
5 - Tyler Hobbs, Sr., Montana
Comment: Tough to handle in the middle; good at forcing turnovers.
6 - John Laidet, Jr., Montana State
Comment: Former Oregon transfer has chance to step in for Dane Fletcher.
7 - Brandon Vance, Sr., Northern Arizona
Comment: Had 6 sacks last year; is a good compliment to Bond.
8 - Nick Hernon, Jr., Northern Colorado
Comment: Led all UNC linemen in sacks and TFLs last season.
9 - Severin Campbell, Sr., Montana
Comment: Became a top-end pass rusher during last year's playoffs.
10 - Marcus Felker, Jr., Northern ColoradoComment: Wyoming dropdown is huge; could make big splash in Greeley.
Not only did DE Christian Clark lead the Big Sky Conference in sacks, but his 15.5 tackles for loss were also among the league leaders. Clark (pictured above) is versatile, and his ability to explode off the line of scrimmage is what makes him very tough for offensive linemen. Expect another big year for Clark in Sac Town.
Dan Ogden might be the biggest key to MSU's defensive operation. A relentless run-stopper, Ogden had 5.5 sacks and 8 tackles for loss from his DT spot. With the loss of Dane Fletcher to graduation, Ogden assumes the role of anchor on the Cats' defensive line.
As a sophomore, DT Renard Williams put together an 8.5-sack, 14.5-tackles-for-loss season. His TFL total led Eastern Washington and was one of the best numbers in the league.
DE Isaac Bond's 8.5 sacks tied EWU's Williams for second-most in the Big Sky. He spent a lot of time in opponents' backfields last season, tracking ball-carriers for 11 tackles for loss. Bond is a big part of a very good NAU D-line.
Give Tyler Hobbs (shown at left) the opportunity to make a big play on defense and he'll most likely come through. He only had 3 sacks last year but has a clear knack for forcing turnovers and recovering fumbles. He forced three fumbles and recovered three others last year for UM.
Elsewhere in the D-line category:
John Laidet came to MSU from Oregon last season and was serviceable as a sophomore with 3.5 sacks. He's got a great opportunity to break out in 2010.
Combining with Bond, Brandon Vance came through in a big way last year. He ended the season on a high note, dumping EWU's Matt Nichols twice in the final game of '09.
Nick Hernon's 5.5 sacks ranked second on UNC's defense, but his eight quarterback hits led the team by far.
Severin Campbell had two INTs in a playoff game vs. South Dakota -- one of which he returned for a game-clinching TD. He also had two sacks and one forced fumble in the postseason.
Keep and eye on big Marcus Felker, who comes to UNC from Wyoming. Felker, 6-feet and well over 300 pounds, should bolster the Bears' defensive front.
Billings Gazette, June 19
Greg Rachac | Posted: Saturday, June 19, 2010 5:00 pm | No Comments Posted
(NOTE: This is the sixth installment of a series in which we here at the Cat-Griz Insider rank the Top 10 players at each position in advance of the 2010 Big Sky Conference football season. Below are the defensive linemen.)
The defensive line position is one of the deepest units for returning players in the Big Sky Conference in 2010. Eleven All-Big Sky players are set to come back to their respective teams this season, helping bolster a great group of defensive players marked throughout the league.
The statistics tell the tale. Among our Top 10 list of the best DLs in the league, 54.5 sacks and 88.5 tackles for loss are coming back this season.
With that, here are the best of the best of the defensive linemen in 2010:
TOP 10 DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
1 - Christian Clark, Sr., Sacramento State
Comment: His 10 sacks were tops in the Big Sky Conference last year.
2 - Dan Ogden, Sr., Montana State
Comment: A major key for Cats, who led in yards allowed in '08 and '09.
3 - Renard Williams, Jr., Eastern Washington
Comment: Big interior lineman had a high volume of TFLs (14.5) in '09.
4 - Isaac Bond, Jr., Northern Arizona
Comment: Speedy D-end made short work of quarterbacks last year.
5 - Tyler Hobbs, Sr., Montana
Comment: Tough to handle in the middle; good at forcing turnovers.
6 - John Laidet, Jr., Montana State
Comment: Former Oregon transfer has chance to step in for Dane Fletcher.
7 - Brandon Vance, Sr., Northern Arizona
Comment: Had 6 sacks last year; is a good compliment to Bond.
8 - Nick Hernon, Jr., Northern Colorado
Comment: Led all UNC linemen in sacks and TFLs last season.
9 - Severin Campbell, Sr., Montana
Comment: Became a top-end pass rusher during last year's playoffs.
10 - Marcus Felker, Jr., Northern ColoradoComment: Wyoming dropdown is huge; could make big splash in Greeley.
Not only did DE Christian Clark lead the Big Sky Conference in sacks, but his 15.5 tackles for loss were also among the league leaders. Clark (pictured above) is versatile, and his ability to explode off the line of scrimmage is what makes him very tough for offensive linemen. Expect another big year for Clark in Sac Town.
Dan Ogden might be the biggest key to MSU's defensive operation. A relentless run-stopper, Ogden had 5.5 sacks and 8 tackles for loss from his DT spot. With the loss of Dane Fletcher to graduation, Ogden assumes the role of anchor on the Cats' defensive line.
As a sophomore, DT Renard Williams put together an 8.5-sack, 14.5-tackles-for-loss season. His TFL total led Eastern Washington and was one of the best numbers in the league.
DE Isaac Bond's 8.5 sacks tied EWU's Williams for second-most in the Big Sky. He spent a lot of time in opponents' backfields last season, tracking ball-carriers for 11 tackles for loss. Bond is a big part of a very good NAU D-line.
Give Tyler Hobbs (shown at left) the opportunity to make a big play on defense and he'll most likely come through. He only had 3 sacks last year but has a clear knack for forcing turnovers and recovering fumbles. He forced three fumbles and recovered three others last year for UM.
Elsewhere in the D-line category:
John Laidet came to MSU from Oregon last season and was serviceable as a sophomore with 3.5 sacks. He's got a great opportunity to break out in 2010.
Combining with Bond, Brandon Vance came through in a big way last year. He ended the season on a high note, dumping EWU's Matt Nichols twice in the final game of '09.
Nick Hernon's 5.5 sacks ranked second on UNC's defense, but his eight quarterback hits led the team by far.
Severin Campbell had two INTs in a playoff game vs. South Dakota -- one of which he returned for a game-clinching TD. He also had two sacks and one forced fumble in the postseason.
Keep and eye on big Marcus Felker, who comes to UNC from Wyoming. Felker, 6-feet and well over 300 pounds, should bolster the Bears' defensive front.
