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Wayne State University Athletics

FB Preview - Defensive Line

Football Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

2022 Football Position Previews - Defensive Line

Listen to Coach Espy's thoughts on his group.

DETROIT -- During the month of August, we will continue previewing each position on the 2022 Wayne State University football team with each position coach highlighting their respective units.  Frank Espy, one of three new assistant coaches, is featured in this segment about the defensive line.

The defensive line returns just 15 starts from a season ago (Arnold Saidov - 8, Sean Banaszak - 3, Jacob Mass - 3, and Charles Ellington III - 1), following the graduation of John-Paul Morris (11 starts), Jalen Lewis (8) and Kenneth Cephus (4), plus the injury to Damani Green (6 starts in 2021).

However there is experience returning especially at the defensive end positions.

Saidov (Fort Worth, Texas / Fossil Ridge) was named to the 2021 All-GLIAC Honorable Mention Team after leading all WSU defensive linemen with 30 tackles (13-17), and five tackles for loss (4 solo, 2 assisted) last season.  He tied for the team lead with 3.5 sacks (3 solo, 1 assisted) and was second with four quarterback hurries.

Banaszak (Kenosha, Wis. / Indian Trail) has appeared in 31 games over three seasons, making 15 starts.  He has recorded 44 career tackles (22-22), including four sacks (2 solo, 4 assisted) and five quarterback hurries.

Mass (Livonia, Mich. / Franklin) has played in 30 games in his three seasons and has made 34 tackles (15-19).

Providing depth and pushing the veterans will be redshirt senior Kofe Kimbrell (Fort Gratiot, Mich. / Port Huron Northern), redshirt freshman Aaron Mass (Livonia, Mich. / Franklin) and redshirt junior Jacob Edelman (Beverly Hills, Mich. / Birmingham Groves).  Kimbrell played in 11 games a season ago, while Mass and Edelman look to make their collegiate debuts in 2022.  Redshirt sophomore Amari Hampton (Chicago, Ill. / Phillips Academy) also returns.

The defensive ends, who will most likely redshirt to get bigger and stronger with coach Ruben Mendoza in the weight room, are true freshmen Joe Clark, Jr. (Pontiac, Mich. / West Bloomfield), Terique Denning (Detroit, Mich. / Harper Woods), and Colby Horn (Menomonee Falls, Wis. / Sussex Hamilton).

Redshirt junior Damond Duncan (St. Clair Shores, Mich. / Lakeview) is the lone returning defensive tackle with collegiate experience.  He played in all 11 games as a back-up defensive tackle in 2021.  Redshirt junior Jarrett Short (Grand Blanc, Mich.) enters his fourth year in the program, while redshirt freshman Gus Taylor (South Lyon, Mich.) is vying for a spot in the rotation.  True freshman Demarius Gibson-Wells (Inkster, Mich. / Livonia Churchill) provides depth.

Charles Ellington III (Dayton, Ohio / Vandalia-Butler) has played in 18 games in his two years at WSU, making one start.  He enters his third playing season at WSU with 38 career tackles (10-28), including two sacks (1 solo, 2 assisted).  Redshirt junior Kane Quinlan (Troy, Mich. / Birmingham Brother Rice) played in all 11 games a year ago as a back-up defensive tackle.  Redshirt junior McKinley Underwood (Kalamazoo, Mich. / Central) is finally healthy and will push for playing time.  Vince Carpenter (Canton, Ohio / St. Thomas Aquinas) redshirted a season ago, while true freshman David Robinson (Stow, Ohio / Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary) will most likely redshirt this fall.

Other Position Previews
Season Preview
Running Backs Preview
Quarterbacks Preview
Linebackers Preview
Offensive Line Preview

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Players Mentioned

Kenneth Cephus

#95 Kenneth Cephus

DT
6' 1"
Redshirt Fifth Year
Jalen Lewis

#99 Jalen Lewis

DE
6' 3"
Graduate Student
John-Paul Morris

#55 John-Paul Morris

DT
6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
Sean Banaszak

#98 Sean Banaszak

DE
6' 4"
Redshirt Fifth Year
Vince Carpenter

#94 Vince Carpenter

NT
6' 5"
Redshirt Freshman
Damond Duncan

#93 Damond Duncan

DT
6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
Jacob Edelman

#67 Jacob Edelman

DE
6' 1"
Redshirt Junior
Charles Ellington III

#90 Charles Ellington III

NT
6' 3"
Redshirt Senior
Kofe Kimbrell

#99 Kofe Kimbrell

DE
6' 3"
Redshirt Senior
Aaron Mass

#58 Aaron Mass

DE
6' 3"
Redshirt Freshman

Players Mentioned

Kenneth Cephus

#95 Kenneth Cephus

6' 1"
Redshirt Fifth Year
DT
Jalen Lewis

#99 Jalen Lewis

6' 3"
Graduate Student
DE
John-Paul Morris

#55 John-Paul Morris

6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
DT
Sean Banaszak

#98 Sean Banaszak

6' 4"
Redshirt Fifth Year
DE
Vince Carpenter

#94 Vince Carpenter

6' 5"
Redshirt Freshman
NT
Damond Duncan

#93 Damond Duncan

6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
DT
Jacob Edelman

#67 Jacob Edelman

6' 1"
Redshirt Junior
DE
Charles Ellington III

#90 Charles Ellington III

6' 3"
Redshirt Senior
NT
Kofe Kimbrell

#99 Kofe Kimbrell

6' 3"
Redshirt Senior
DE
Aaron Mass

#58 Aaron Mass

6' 3"
Redshirt Freshman
DE