JONESBORO — What was once Arkansas State’s biggest weakness has turned into perhaps its biggest strength heading into Coach Blake Anderson’s third season.
ASU’s defensive line was identified by Anderson as its most urgent spot at the end of his first season in 2014. But now two full recruiting classes have turned that reality on its head.
No longer a weak point, some coaches are identifying ASU’s defensive line as the team’s best unit, powered by depth built over the last two seasons and spurned by a slow finish to a 7-6 season in 2014.
“I don’t know if we’ll play a defensive line that’s as physically imposing except for maybe one opponent,” said offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, referencing ASU’s Sept. 10 game at Auburn. “That D-Line is a legitimate defensive front.”
It’s been built over time to what it is now — considered by some to be ASU’s steadiest position as it tries to defend last year’s Sun Belt Conference title. With shuffling continuing at linebacker and one cornerback spot long from settled, the Red Wolves’ line is a cornerstone for their defense. And considering the ongoing quarterback battle, ASU’s defense in general could be asked to pull more than its share of weight in the season’s first few weeks.
Most expect the line to do what it needs to, such as senior defensive end Chris Odom, who has seen the line go from its low point in 2014 to being stocked with experience now.
“I don’t mean to be cocky, but I’m confident in my front and how good we’re going to be,” Odom said. “Our whole depth chart can play, but whenever we get tired we can role fresh legs in. We can always get fresh guys on the field.”
ASU lost all-Sun Belt end Chris Stone from last year, but it’s hardly scrambling to find a dependable replacement. Odom has slid into his spot bringing with him the experience of having played 37 games the last three years while playing both tackle and end.
The rest of the starting front includes end Ja’Von Rolland-Jones, who had 8 1/2 sacks to lead the Sun Belt last year; tackles Waylon Roberson, a preseason all-Sun Belt pick and Dee Liner, who started his career at Alabama before transferring last year.
ASU’s reconstruction up front began in December 2014, when it signed Roberson from New Mexico Military Institute and Jake Swalley from Highland (Kan.) Community College. Roberson, a 6-2, 341-pound tackle started 12 games last season at tackle. Add in the the help of Robert Mondie, who transferred in after Alabama-Birmingham dropped its program, the Red Wolves had the Sun Belt’s most improved run defense. Opponents rushed for 205.23 yards per game in 2014, and it was just 151.5 in 2015.
“One of the best things we we were able to do last year was throw a lot of people at the problem,” Anderson said. “In Year 1, we had zero depth. And we played way more snaps than they should. We even took guys from the edges inside and and they were getting tossed out. Last year, for the first time, we had enough depth to where we could keep guys fresh and they would play their best.”
The same plan is set for this season.
Behind that first group are another four players with experience. Mondie, an honorable mention all-Sun Belt pick who was granted a sixth-year of eligibility right before camp began, might be a backup.
Others factoring on the line are junior Caleb Caston, who has played 24 games the last two years at end;, Jake Swalley, who helped build depth last season, Donovan Ransom, who played in the first six games before suffering a knee injury last year and senior Darrius Rosser, who has played in 34 career games.
The group was cobbled together to provide ASU with some depth, and now they give coaches plenty of options.
“If health allows us, to do so you can play Dee Liner for three snaps, play Robert for three snaps and, keep that rotation going,” Anderson said. “That contributed to us playing so much better last year. And now you’re adding Dee Liner in the mix and you like to think we’ve even improved.”
About the Red Wolves
COACH Blake Anderson (16-10 in third season at ASU and overall)
LAST YEAR 9-4 overall, 8-0 in Sun Belt
RETURNING STARTERS 15 (six on offense, nine on defense)
OFFENISVE PLAYERS TO WATCH RB Johnston White, RB Warren Wand, WR Cameorn Echols-Luper, TE Blake Mack
DEFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH DL Dee Liner, DE Chris Odom, CB Blaise Taylor, FS Bo Sentimore
2016 SCHEDULE
DATE;OPPONENT;TIME
Sept. 2;Toledo;8 p.m. (ESPNU)
Sept. 10;at Auburn;6:30 p.m. (SECN)
Sept. 16;at Utah State;8 p.m. (CBSS)
Sept. 24;Central Arkansas;6 p.m.
Oct. 5;Georgia Southern;7 p.m. (ESPN2)*
Oct. 15;South Alabama;6 p.m.*
Oct. 29;Louisiana-Monroe;6 p.m.*
Nov. 3;at Georgia State;6:30 p.m. (ESNPU)*
Nov. 12;New Mexico State;2 p.m.*
Nov. 17;at Troy;8:30 p.m. (ESPNU)*
Nov. 26;at Louisiana-Lafayette;TBA*
Dec. 3;at Texas State;3 p.m.*
*Sun Belt game
2015 RESULTS
DATE;OPPONENT;RESULT
Sept. 5;at USC;L, 55-6
Sept. 12;Missouri;L, 27-20
Sept. 19;Missouri State;W, 70-7
Sept. 26;at Toledo;L, 37-7
Oct. 3;Idaho;W, 49-35*
Oct. 13;at South Alabama:W, 49-31*
Oct. 20;Louisiana-Lafayette;W, 37-27*
Oct. 31;Geogia State;W, 38-34*
Nov. 5;at Appalachian State;W, 40-27*
Nov. 14;at Louisiana-Monroe;W, 59-21*
Nov. 28;at New Mexico State;W, 52-28*
Dec. 5;Texas State;W, 55-17*
Dec. 19;Louisiana Tech;L, 47-28^
*Sun Belt game
^New Orleans Bowl