Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Young, talented D-Line looks to make an impact in 2017
08/31/2017 | 6:14:00 | Football
CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Southern Illinois defensive line is almost certainly the youngest in the nation—of the 19 defensive linemen on the roster, 17 are freshmen or sophomores. The two upper-classmen are both first-year transfers into the program.
"The expectation is to be one of the top units in the conference. Just because you're young doesn't mean you can't be good," head coach Nick Hill said. "We had a few kids play as true freshmen last year, and we'll have a few more this year. That whole group that redshirted last year is coming on strong. We're confident in those guys this season, and I'm really excited about the future of this defensive line."
The Salukis lost all four starters off last year's defensive line, but there's a lot of optimism for the unit. What they lack in experience they make up in strength. ZeVeyon Furcron, a redshirt freshman, has already broken the program squat record at 775 pounds. True sophomore Malik Haynes was right behind at 735 pounds.
"They're going to be tough to move, and they're explosive, too," defensive line coach Austin Flyger said.
Flyger has coached championship defensive lines at SIU in 2008 and 2009, and his 2012 unit featured Kenneth Boatright, who went on to play in the NFL.
"Coach Flyger is a huge asset to our program, and that goes way beyond the X's and O's," Hill said. "His guys are going to be prepared. They're going to know what to do. He goes over everything in great detail, and he fits with Coach Paulson's scheme."
Almost everyone on the 2017 D-Line has three or four years of eligibility left, but the focus is on reaching a championship level immediately. In practice, they face off against an offensive line that the NFL is watching, and the defense has been holding its own.
"I'm excited to see this year," Flyger said. "We go against some great offensive linemen in practice, and these guys get some wins against those guys. That's pretty encouraging. Now we get to see them do it in the Valley."
Blake Parzych and Rondarian Bell are two players with experience. Anthony Knighton, Sam Skinner, Chucky Sullivan and Jaylin Wilson—all freshmen—have turned heads this camp.
"Anthony has been one of our most productive players in camp, and Sam Skinner is going to give you everything he has," Flyger said.
The two upper-classmen, Quadarius Reed and Javon Webster, transferred into SIU this year. Reed is a junior college product, and Webster is a fifth-year graduate transfer from Division II Glenville State. Chester, Ill., product Jordan Berner stands tall at 6-6, 260 pounds and could make an impact in his redshirt freshman season.
"He's a big, physical, Missouri Valley-looking defensive end," Flyger said. "If he continues to improve and get more confidence in himself, he'll be a good player for us."
The Salukis kick off the season against Mississippi Valley State on Sept. 9 in Saluki Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and tickets are available at 877-SALUKIS and on SIUSalukis.com.
"The guys who play are going to be the guys who work the hardest, the ones who do well on and off the field," Flyger said. "These guys are going to give everything they have."
"The expectation is to be one of the top units in the conference. Just because you're young doesn't mean you can't be good," head coach Nick Hill said. "We had a few kids play as true freshmen last year, and we'll have a few more this year. That whole group that redshirted last year is coming on strong. We're confident in those guys this season, and I'm really excited about the future of this defensive line."
The Salukis lost all four starters off last year's defensive line, but there's a lot of optimism for the unit. What they lack in experience they make up in strength. ZeVeyon Furcron, a redshirt freshman, has already broken the program squat record at 775 pounds. True sophomore Malik Haynes was right behind at 735 pounds.
"They're going to be tough to move, and they're explosive, too," defensive line coach Austin Flyger said.
Flyger has coached championship defensive lines at SIU in 2008 and 2009, and his 2012 unit featured Kenneth Boatright, who went on to play in the NFL.
"Coach Flyger is a huge asset to our program, and that goes way beyond the X's and O's," Hill said. "His guys are going to be prepared. They're going to know what to do. He goes over everything in great detail, and he fits with Coach Paulson's scheme."
Almost everyone on the 2017 D-Line has three or four years of eligibility left, but the focus is on reaching a championship level immediately. In practice, they face off against an offensive line that the NFL is watching, and the defense has been holding its own.
"I'm excited to see this year," Flyger said. "We go against some great offensive linemen in practice, and these guys get some wins against those guys. That's pretty encouraging. Now we get to see them do it in the Valley."
Blake Parzych and Rondarian Bell are two players with experience. Anthony Knighton, Sam Skinner, Chucky Sullivan and Jaylin Wilson—all freshmen—have turned heads this camp.
"Anthony has been one of our most productive players in camp, and Sam Skinner is going to give you everything he has," Flyger said.
The two upper-classmen, Quadarius Reed and Javon Webster, transferred into SIU this year. Reed is a junior college product, and Webster is a fifth-year graduate transfer from Division II Glenville State. Chester, Ill., product Jordan Berner stands tall at 6-6, 260 pounds and could make an impact in his redshirt freshman season.
"He's a big, physical, Missouri Valley-looking defensive end," Flyger said. "If he continues to improve and get more confidence in himself, he'll be a good player for us."
The Salukis kick off the season against Mississippi Valley State on Sept. 9 in Saluki Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and tickets are available at 877-SALUKIS and on SIUSalukis.com.
"The guys who play are going to be the guys who work the hardest, the ones who do well on and off the field," Flyger said. "These guys are going to give everything they have."
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