Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Wayne State University Athletics

Defensive Line Preview Graphic 2025

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

WSU Football - 2025 Defensive Line Preview

DETROIT -- Over the next three weeks, we will continue previewing each position on the 2025 Wayne State University football team with each position coach highlighting their respective units.  This segment is the defensive line preview with coach DeJuan Garland.

Garland, a former graduate assistant coach at WSU in 2018, inherited one of the most experienced groups on the squad.

Four of his defensive ends have played significant snaps, just not as a Warrior.  Redshirt junior Will Fennema (Middleville, Mich. / Grand Rapids South Christian [Madonna]) moves down from his previous linebacker spot to be a rush end.  Junior Darel Washington (Detroit, Mich. / Oak Park [Adrian]) played in 15 games for the AC Bulldogs over the last two seasons, and redshirt senior Devon Isaac (West Bloomfield, Mich. [Lawrence Tech]) appeared in 20 games for the LTU Blue Devils before missing last season at Wayne State due to a pre-season injury.  Ashawn Sims (Cleveland, Ohio / Cleveland Heights [Colgate]) played in 21 games in the last two years at Colgate.  Both Washington and Sims came to the Motor City in January and went through spring ball.

The most experienced returnee as a Warrior is redshirt junior Colby Horn (Menomonee Falls, Wis. / Sussex Hamilton), who has played in all 22 games over the last two seasons, making 16 starts.  Classmate Joe Clark, Jr. (Pontiac, Mich. / West Bloomfield) has played in 11 games over his first three years with the Green and Gold since he missed the entire 2024 year due to a pre-season injury.  Redshirt sophomore Jaiden Acker (Cedar Springs, Mich. / Kenowa Hills) started the final 10 games last season.

Redshirt freshman Jayson Harris (Portsmouth, Va. / Western Branch) played in two games last season as did classmate Aydin Johnson (Parchment, Mich.).

Newcomers brought in to bolster the depth at defensive end include freshmen Jacob Blair (Roseville, Mich.), Franklin Gallagher (Grosse Pointe Park, Mich. / Grosse Pointe South), Zach Green (Clinton Township, Mich. / U. of Detroit Jesuit), Zion Lancaster (Miami, Fla. / Edison), Jack McCowan (Harrisburg, N.C. / Hickory Ridge), Andrew Pazuchowski (Grosse Pointe, Mich. / Grosse Pointe South) and Tyler Torey (Macomb, Mich. / Dakota).

Sophomore Roshaun McGee (Merrillville, Ind.) returns as the most experienced defensive tackle after being the recipient of the 2024 WSU Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

Redshirt sophomore Jordan Hutchinson (Eastpointe, Mich. / Chandler Park Academy) played in six contests in 2024, while redshirt freshman Tanielu Ah-Loe (University Place, Wash. / Bellarmine Prep) appeared in just three games a season ago to retain his freshman eligibility.

Four transfers were brought in to add experience in Justhin Austin (South Euclid, Ohio / Cleveland Heights [Erie C.C. / Defiance]), Jesse Brown (Belleville, Mich. / New Boston Huron [Lincoln, Mo.]), Omar El Khatib (Shoreline, Wash. / Shorewood [Chapman]) and Michael Thomas (Marina, Calif. [Cabrillo C.C.].

Freshmen that will add depth to the defensive tackle positions are Evan Bainbridge (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. / Grosse Pointe North) and Creg Johnson (River Rouge, Mich.).

Wayne State begins fall practice this afternoon.  The home and season opener will take place on Thursday, Sept. 4 with a 6 p.m. kickoff against the Tiffin Dragons.  Both season and single-game tickets are available by clicking here.  WSU Athletics supporters can also join the W-Club by clicking here.

Other Position Previews
Season Preview 
Quarterbacks Preview
Defensive Backs Preview
Wide Receivers Preview
Linebackers Preview

 
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Jaiden Acker

#97 Jaiden Acker

DE
6' 4"
Redshirt Sophomore
Tanielu Ah-Loe

#95 Tanielu Ah-Loe

DT
6' 2"
Redshirt Freshman
Joe Clark, Jr.

#90 Joe Clark, Jr.

DE
6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
Will Fennema

#1 Will Fennema

DE
6' 3"
Redshirt Junior
Jayson Harris

#47 Jayson Harris

DE
6' 4"
Redshirt Freshman
Colby Horn

#55 Colby Horn

DE
6' 5"
Redshirt Junior
Jordan Hutchinson

#96 Jordan Hutchinson

DT
6' 3"
Redshirt Sophomore
Devon Isaac

#42 Devon Isaac

DE
6' 3"
Redshirt Senior
Aydin Johnson

#49 Aydin Johnson

DE
6' 3"
Redshirt Freshman
Roshaun McGee

#RS Roshaun McGee

DT
6' 2"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Jaiden Acker

#97 Jaiden Acker

6' 4"
Redshirt Sophomore
DE
Tanielu Ah-Loe

#95 Tanielu Ah-Loe

6' 2"
Redshirt Freshman
DT
Joe Clark, Jr.

#90 Joe Clark, Jr.

6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
DE
Will Fennema

#1 Will Fennema

6' 3"
Redshirt Junior
DE
Jayson Harris

#47 Jayson Harris

6' 4"
Redshirt Freshman
DE
Colby Horn

#55 Colby Horn

6' 5"
Redshirt Junior
DE
Jordan Hutchinson

#96 Jordan Hutchinson

6' 3"
Redshirt Sophomore
DT
Devon Isaac

#42 Devon Isaac

6' 3"
Redshirt Senior
DE
Aydin Johnson

#49 Aydin Johnson

6' 3"
Redshirt Freshman
DE
Roshaun McGee

#RS Roshaun McGee

6' 2"
Sophomore
DT