Griz D-Line looking to prove itself in 2019
8/2/2019 4:47:00 PM | Football
Note: In the seven days before Montana's first fall camp practice, GoGriz.com will bring you seven stories previewing seven different position groups. Next up: the defensive line.
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Returners (2018 Statistics)
Eli Alford (4 Tackles, 1 QBH)
Lorenzo Brown (NA)
Braydon Deming (20 Tackles, 4 TFLs, 2 Sacks, 4 QBHs, 1 FF)
Vika Fa'atuiese (NA)
Alex Gubner (NA)
Milton Mamula (NA)
RJ Nelson (22 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 PBU, 1 QBH)
Cole Rosling (NA)
Jesse Sims (42 Tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 1 Sack, 1 FF)
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Additions
Joe Babros
Alex Hurlburt
Noah Kaschmitter
Jacob McGourin
Garrison Poetzl
Ryder Rice
Zane Whiting
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Losses
Kyle Davis
Devin Maua
Randy Rodriguez
David Shaw
Reggie Tilleman
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Traditionally one of the strongest groups on the field for the Montana Grizzlies, the 2019 edition of the defensive line will once again be long on talent, but this year will be short on experience as the Griz look to build on the No. 3 rushing defense in the Big Sky from last season.
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The Griz return just two seniors who have ever taken a snap in maroon and silver (Jesse Sims and Vika Fa'atuiese). But with a talented group of underclassmen ready to emerge alongside a couple of transfers with big expectations, you have the makings of a D-line with a lot of promise.
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"This is a young group, but we have ability there, and they need to produce. I don't think it will be for lack of athletic ability at this point, it's about learning the game, winning their one on ones and making some plays," says Hauck.
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Luckily for UM, those two seniors are more than capable of leading the way for the newcomers and youngsters, and for head coach Bobby Hauck, they lead in the best way possible. They're all bite and no bark.
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"Jesse and Vika will do a good job leading that group, teaching the younger guys, and leading by example. They aren't big talkers, but leadership isn't about talking. It is about bringing guys with you and showing them how to do it," Hauck added.
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The number on Sims' back should tell you everything you need to know about the senior from Stevensville. The incumbent holder of Montana's famed No. 37 jersey has a reputation to uphold, and he's proven time and time again he's up to the task, even when shifting positions.
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After moving inside from D-end last year, Sims was a force at tackle in his junior season, racking up 42 takedowns, 3.5 TFLs, one sack, and a forced fumble. Now a year older and stronger (and trust us on this, he has definitely gotten stronger), Sims will once again anchor the D-line from the interior.
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"Jesse has played some in around the center and looked very natural in there. It fits more of his skill set better in there," says Hauck.
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"The kind of year Jesse has will be determined by how well he plays. He is in a position to do it, and now it is time for him to go and get after people. I am excited for him, I love coaching him, he is a tremendous guy, and I hope he has a big year. He is a hard worker."
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Fa'atuiese joins the D-ends as a transfer from the linebackers and even had a brief stint with the running backs in his junior year. Always one to put the team before himself and play anywhere asked, the native of San Diego is ready for a breakout senior season.
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Montana bolstered the D-line by adding ACC-level experience over the summer with the addition of Joe Babros, who comes to Missoula from North Carolina State where he played for former Grizzly coach Dave Doeren. Babros is expected to compete for a starting job at D-end right away and will add much-needed experience to the position.
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Also bringing experience is Ryder Rice, a D-end from Rocky Mountain College in Billings who was an NAIA All-American in his junior season for the Battlin' Bears. The native of Savage, Mont., has joined the Grizzlies as a graduate transfer looking to prove himself at the next level.
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While still just a sophomore, one of 2018's breakout stars on the D-line was Billings West's Braydon Deming, who picked up 20 tackles, 4 TFLs, two sacks and 4 QBH's as a freshman. He and his brother Bryson (a tight end) have both worked their way up the depth chart and will be in the mix for plenty of playing time in 2019. As twins, there is a lot about the Deming boys that are identical, including the work ethic required to make an impact.
Â
"We expect our guys to improve over through their careers if they keep working and work hard in the weight room and conditioning, and they work hard to become technicians and play their tails off, you expect improvement. Both Braydon and Bryson do all of those things," says Hauck.
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"I am excited to watch them this year. They don't look like freshmen anymore, they look like veterans, and they have enough experience under their belts that we kind of expect them to be productive players for us. They are workers, and they look good."
Â
If Braydon Deming was 2018's breakout star on the D-line, early indications point to Alex Gubner as preparing for a big freshman season at tackle. At 6-3, 295, he has the size to plug holes and saw plenty of action in the spring.
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Also showing his strength this spring was Eli Alford who had four tackles as a freshman out of Air Force Prep.
Â
"Gubner has better speed than you would think looking at him, significantly better, and he had a great spring. And in the second half of spring practice, Eli really came on. So, the more accomplished those young d-linemen can be, the more productive they can be, the better we will be on defense."
Â
Montana returns to the field on Tuesday, Aug. 6 for the first practice of fall camp. The Griz open the season at South Dakota on Aug. 31.
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Returners (2018 Statistics)
Eli Alford (4 Tackles, 1 QBH)
Lorenzo Brown (NA)
Braydon Deming (20 Tackles, 4 TFLs, 2 Sacks, 4 QBHs, 1 FF)
Vika Fa'atuiese (NA)
Alex Gubner (NA)
Milton Mamula (NA)
RJ Nelson (22 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 PBU, 1 QBH)
Cole Rosling (NA)
Jesse Sims (42 Tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 1 Sack, 1 FF)
Â
Additions
Joe Babros
Alex Hurlburt
Noah Kaschmitter
Jacob McGourin
Garrison Poetzl
Ryder Rice
Zane Whiting
Â
Losses
Kyle Davis
Devin Maua
Randy Rodriguez
David Shaw
Reggie Tilleman
Â
Traditionally one of the strongest groups on the field for the Montana Grizzlies, the 2019 edition of the defensive line will once again be long on talent, but this year will be short on experience as the Griz look to build on the No. 3 rushing defense in the Big Sky from last season.
Â
The Griz return just two seniors who have ever taken a snap in maroon and silver (Jesse Sims and Vika Fa'atuiese). But with a talented group of underclassmen ready to emerge alongside a couple of transfers with big expectations, you have the makings of a D-line with a lot of promise.
Â
"This is a young group, but we have ability there, and they need to produce. I don't think it will be for lack of athletic ability at this point, it's about learning the game, winning their one on ones and making some plays," says Hauck.
Â
Luckily for UM, those two seniors are more than capable of leading the way for the newcomers and youngsters, and for head coach Bobby Hauck, they lead in the best way possible. They're all bite and no bark.
Â
"Jesse and Vika will do a good job leading that group, teaching the younger guys, and leading by example. They aren't big talkers, but leadership isn't about talking. It is about bringing guys with you and showing them how to do it," Hauck added.
Â
The number on Sims' back should tell you everything you need to know about the senior from Stevensville. The incumbent holder of Montana's famed No. 37 jersey has a reputation to uphold, and he's proven time and time again he's up to the task, even when shifting positions.
Â
After moving inside from D-end last year, Sims was a force at tackle in his junior season, racking up 42 takedowns, 3.5 TFLs, one sack, and a forced fumble. Now a year older and stronger (and trust us on this, he has definitely gotten stronger), Sims will once again anchor the D-line from the interior.
Â
"Jesse has played some in around the center and looked very natural in there. It fits more of his skill set better in there," says Hauck.
Â
"The kind of year Jesse has will be determined by how well he plays. He is in a position to do it, and now it is time for him to go and get after people. I am excited for him, I love coaching him, he is a tremendous guy, and I hope he has a big year. He is a hard worker."
Â
Fa'atuiese joins the D-ends as a transfer from the linebackers and even had a brief stint with the running backs in his junior year. Always one to put the team before himself and play anywhere asked, the native of San Diego is ready for a breakout senior season.
Â
Montana bolstered the D-line by adding ACC-level experience over the summer with the addition of Joe Babros, who comes to Missoula from North Carolina State where he played for former Grizzly coach Dave Doeren. Babros is expected to compete for a starting job at D-end right away and will add much-needed experience to the position.
Â
Also bringing experience is Ryder Rice, a D-end from Rocky Mountain College in Billings who was an NAIA All-American in his junior season for the Battlin' Bears. The native of Savage, Mont., has joined the Grizzlies as a graduate transfer looking to prove himself at the next level.
Â
While still just a sophomore, one of 2018's breakout stars on the D-line was Billings West's Braydon Deming, who picked up 20 tackles, 4 TFLs, two sacks and 4 QBH's as a freshman. He and his brother Bryson (a tight end) have both worked their way up the depth chart and will be in the mix for plenty of playing time in 2019. As twins, there is a lot about the Deming boys that are identical, including the work ethic required to make an impact.
Â
"We expect our guys to improve over through their careers if they keep working and work hard in the weight room and conditioning, and they work hard to become technicians and play their tails off, you expect improvement. Both Braydon and Bryson do all of those things," says Hauck.
Â
"I am excited to watch them this year. They don't look like freshmen anymore, they look like veterans, and they have enough experience under their belts that we kind of expect them to be productive players for us. They are workers, and they look good."
Â
If Braydon Deming was 2018's breakout star on the D-line, early indications point to Alex Gubner as preparing for a big freshman season at tackle. At 6-3, 295, he has the size to plug holes and saw plenty of action in the spring.
Â
Also showing his strength this spring was Eli Alford who had four tackles as a freshman out of Air Force Prep.
Â
"Gubner has better speed than you would think looking at him, significantly better, and he had a great spring. And in the second half of spring practice, Eli really came on. So, the more accomplished those young d-linemen can be, the more productive they can be, the better we will be on defense."
Â
Montana returns to the field on Tuesday, Aug. 6 for the first practice of fall camp. The Griz open the season at South Dakota on Aug. 31.
Â
Players Mentioned
DT
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DT
/ Football
DE
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DT
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DT
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DE
/ Football
TE
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