VIDEO: Coaches in Cars Getting Coffee – Ep. 3
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - This is the third part in an eight-part series chronicling Carson-Newman football's positions for the 2022 season. This feature breaks down the Eagle defensive front with the assistance of defensive line coach Johnson Jamison.
Carson-Newman's defensive front arguably is the most veteran of the Eagles' position groups for 2022. Fox end Nick Owens has the most starts of any player on the football team (22), while the rest of the line has a combined 19 career starts
"They are together," Jamison said. "They are a group that wants to get better together. They've spent a lot of reps together while also going through adversity together between injuries and CoVID. I think now they get to prepare for success together."
A CoSIDA Academic All-District selection, Owens has 56 stops in his career to go along with 10 tackles for loss. Owens is the lone starter hold over from 2019's playoff team on the defensive front.
"It's a testament to Nick because he is so steady and reliable," Jamison said. "He's a dog. He doesn't care. He just want to go play ball. To have a guy like him to lead the group is big time for us."
Rodshon Williams (six), Justin Triplett (six), Jacorey Long (four) and Jordun Wilson (three) make up the rest of the Eagles' returning starting experience up front.
Triplet counts starting experience at end, tackle and nose guard, shuffling around in place of Brandon Tiassum and Justice Alexander before settling into the starter at tackle at the end of 2022.
"Justin has been a journeyman," Jamison said. "He's been here ages and you can plug him in anywhere you want on the line. His versatility and understanding of the game make him someone you want to rely on."
Long brings experience at defensive end for C-N. Long notched 23 tackles witjh two stops for loss. He also had three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. Long topped out at six tackles on two occasions. He had a sextet of stops at UVA Wise (9/25) and Newberry (10/23).
Meanwhile, Williams has played heavily at nose guard. Injuries slowed him in 2022, but he helped anchor C-N's d-line in 2019 when he had 10 tackles after working his way into the starting line up the latter half of the year.
"Jacorey got on the field last year," Jamison said. "You combine his natural ability with the work to learning techniques, that will really cement him."
At the fox end position, Carson-Newman has one of its most capable reserves in Trayzel Jureidini-Wyche. An All-American track athlete in the discus, Wyche made 29 tackles. He had six tackles for loss and two sacks. He enters the season 5.5 sacks out of the top 10 all-time in Carson-Newman history.
"Trayzel is Mr. Carson-Newman between what he does for us, for the track team and on campus," Jamison said. "He is a guy that is just bought in to being great at everything."
Two newcomers could also impact the rotation up front. David Alexander redshirted last year.
In his time at Johns Creek, Alexander accounted for 40 solo tackles, 80 tackles, eight sacks, two interceptions, and one forced fumble. Alexander was named to the All-Metro team while being added to the All-Region first team. Alexander also was awarded two players of the game in his high school career.
"He redshirted last year, but David Alexander has been doing somethings getting off the football that I'd be looking out for him," Jamison said.
Meanwhile, after making a game-saving forced fumble against UVA Wise in the spring of 2021, Frank Lee will get his first crack at a full fall season after battling injuries last year,
"Frank hasn't played much football, he was a basketball player," Jamison said. "He spends a ton of time with Jeff in the weightroom. He's starting to hit his stride and get some confidence on the field. He's in a spot on the field now where he can just go play."
In two quarters in the Eagles' spring game, Lee had six tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack and two quarterback hurries.
Carson-Newman's position previews continue Tuesday with the defensive backs.
