Wayne State University Athletics

Football 7/22/2024 8:23:00 AM Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

2024 WSU FOOTBALL - DEFENSIVE LINE PREVIEW

DETROIT -- Over the next five weeks, we will continue previewing each position on the 2024 Wayne State University football team with each position coach highlighting their respective units. This segment is the defensive line preview with defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Tom Sims.

The Warrior defensive line corps returns two of its four starters from a year ago in defensive tackle Gus Taylor and defensive end Colby Horn. Taylor has played in 19 games over the last two seasons, making 10 starts. He has recorded 34 career tackles (16-18), including 7.5 for loss (2.5 sacks). Taylor was named to the GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team after playing in all 11 contests in 2023, and starting 10 times at defensive tackle. He also received Academic All-District honors by College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA). Taylor was second among WSU defensive linemen a season ago with 26 tackles.

Horn appeared in all 11 games as a redshirt freshman in 2023, making eight starts to earn his first collegiate letter. He registered a career-high six tackles (3-3) vs. Michigan Tech, including 2.5 for loss, along with a quarterback hurry to earn WSU's Defensive Player of the Week award. Horn also received GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team honors.

Joining Horn as returnees at defensive end are redshirt juniors Aaron Mass and Danny Chaudhry, redshirt sophomore Joe Clark, Jr., and redshirt freshman Jaiden Acker. Redshirt junior Jaylon Banks transferred to Wayne State in January and moved to the defensive side of the ball for spring. Clark is the most experienced in this group having seen action at defensive end in all 11 contests a year ago, starting twice - Saginaw Valley State and Northern Michigan. The rest of the quartet have combined to appear in just two games for the Warriors.

In addition to Taylor in the middle, two others who have been in the program return in junior Ben Griskie and redshirt freshman Jordan Hutchinson. Mid-year transfer Mekhi Battle (younger brother of former Warrior Tiroca Battle) participated in spring ball. Griskie played in three contests in 2023.

To increase the depth, especially at defensive tackle, WSU is bringing in three transfers and six freshmen. Entering their first collegiate fall camp next month will be Tani Ah-Loe, Jaylen Garrett, Jamar Hill, Aydin Johnson, Roshaun McGee and Jordan Stefanides.

A similar scenario is taking place with the defensive ends with one transfer and five freshmen. The rookie contingent includes Hussein Albarkat, Jad Bazzi, Elijah Carter, Jayson Harris and Raevon Strong.

Other Position Previews
Season Preview
Running Backs Preview

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Players Mentioned

#97 Jaiden Acker: DE; 6' 3"; Redshirt Freshman

#98 Danny Chaudhry: DE; 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior

#90 Joe Clark, Jr.: DE; 6' 1"; Redshirt Sophomore

#59 Ben Griskie: DT; 6' 1"; Junior

#55 Colby Horn: DE; 6' 5"; Redshirt Sophomore

#96 Jordan Hutchinson: DT; 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman

#58 Aaron Mass: DE; 6' 3"; Senior

#92 Gus Taylor: DT; 6' 3"; Senior

#95 Mekhi Battle: DT; 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore

#46 Hussein Albarkat: DE; 6' 4"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#97 Jaiden Acker
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Freshman
: DE

#98 Danny Chaudhry
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior
: DE

#90 Joe Clark, Jr.
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Sophomore
: DE

#59 Ben Griskie
: 6' 1"; Junior
: DT

#55 Colby Horn
: 6' 5"; Redshirt Sophomore
: DE

#96 Jordan Hutchinson
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman
: DT

#58 Aaron Mass
: 6' 3"; Senior
: DE

#92 Gus Taylor
: 6' 3"; Senior
: DT

#95 Mekhi Battle
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore
: DT

#46 Hussein Albarkat
: 6' 4"; Freshman
: DE