VIDEO: Coaches in Cars Getting Coffee – Johnson Jamison and the Defensive Line
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – This is the third part in an eight-part series chronicling Carson-Newman football's positions for the 2023 season. This feature breaks down the Eagle pass rushers and run stuffers with the assistance of defensive line coach Johnson Jamison.
Carson-Newman's defensive line is a mix of oodles of depth at three positions, combined with brand-spanking new at the fourth.
Staring down who contributed last season on the defensive line for Carson-Newman, it seems C-N runs three deep at end, tackle and guard. However, with the losses of Nick Owens, Frank Lee and Trayzel Jureidini-Wyche, Carson-Newman's FOX end position is all new.
Yet, for Jamison, in spite of the absences at FOX, the outlook and status of his vocal cords a week into camp remain firm.
"Buy in is at an all-time high," Jamison said without a frog in his throat and sans camp voice. "Effort and the togetherness of the team is at an all-time high and that applies to both the d-line and the team overall. I really haven't had to get too fussy with them."
While no player returns who earned all-league honors, Jacorey Long, Justin Triple and Jordun Wilson have a combined 43 starts between them under their belts. Triplet is the second most-seasoned player on defense in terms of starting experience behind corner Jalen Anderson and his 19 career starts.
Add in David Alexander, Max Bryant, Corey Climpson, Dedrick McLain, Ed Verdree and Jaheim Wilson, and you've got a corps group of lineman who have combined for significant playing time in 123 career games.
"Those guys, we've been together for a while. It feels like a continuation of the journey," Jamison said. "We've obviously added in some freshman and some transfers, but we've had a core group of guys who have been able to carry them along."
When he presumably takes the field against Virginia-Lynchburg on Aug. 31, Triplet will be suiting up for his CoVID year of eligibility and a 33rd career game. Ever the run-stuffing force up front, Triplet has 28 stops in his tenure.
"Justin Triplett has played every position on the offensive line other than our FOX end," Jamison said. "He can play the nose, tackle and end. It's great when you can put anyone in the game and it's not going to change the overall outcome. He leads by example and is a guy you can count on."
Long started all 11 games at defensive end for C-N. He accounted for 27 tackles, second most among C-N defensive linemen. He also had 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and four QB hurries. Long had a third of his tackles in the final three weeks of the year, when he strung together a five-tackle day at Emory & Henry (Oct. 29) with back-to-back four-tackle performances against UVA Wise (Nov. 5) and Catawba (Nov. 12). He also had four tackles and a sack at Lenoir-Rhyne (Sept. 24).
"With Jacorey, it's all about the character he's developed," Jamison said. "He's such a great leader for us, and it's not just at football or in the weight room. He achieves at a high level across the board. He has taken the role of 'who can I bring along with me.'"
A 10-game starter on the defensive line for C-N, Wilson appeared in all 11 games up front for the Eagles. He made 24 stops, with two tackles for loss and a sack. Wilson made multiple tackles in the final eight games of the year for C-N, topping out with a pair of four-tackle games against Mars Hill (Oct. 22) and UVA Wise (Nov. 5). He made his sack at Emory & Henry (Oct. 29).
"Jordun and Jaheim have been around and have the reps, that's what we do to be successful," Jamison. "Our guys believe in Jordun Wilson. He's an elder statesmen and the voice of the unit at times. They have a ton of confidence in him and he's gonna lead. When he opens his mouth, everyone shuts up. Jaheim had an internship this summer, but still found ways to come back in shape and move in a different way than I've seen him in the past."
As for the FOX, Jamison turns to two players who have been in the program, Climpson and converted linebacker Fortune Woods, and one who transfers in in Elton Jean-Baptiste.
"Corey Climpson has been in the program and probably didn't get featured as much as he would have liked to," Jamison said. "I think we've found a home for Fortune Woods at the fox position after bouncing around at linebacker and on special teams last year. I definitely think a transfer in Elton Jean-Baptiste can compete for the starting role there. Last year, you could let Frank Lee do Frank Lee things, Nick Owens was gonna be consistent playing the run, then you could turn Trayzel loose on third down. They are all a little bit more multiple this year. Corey and Elton are just fast and electric, Fortune has that strength about him."
Climpson and Woods both played sporadically last season, combining for 11 games played, seven tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss between the two of them.
Meanwhile, Jean-Baptiste appeared in all 12 games for Howard with 19 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. He also forced two fumbles. He was named to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Football All-Academic Team
Carson-Newman's position previews continue Tuesday with a glimpse of the defensive backfield with help from defensive coordinator Lary Slade.
