Your 2025 Defensive Line | Syracusefan.com

Your 2025 Defensive Line

GoSU96

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In order to compete against the upcoming schedule, the DL size and depth needed to improve. Putting aside replacing Diggs, a huge issue last year was giving up huge interior runs. The staff made a concerted effort to increase the number and size of guys that can play. A lot of key guys like Jobity and Wilson were lost for the year fairly earlier in the season and guys had to play a lot more snaps than desirable. I think the team is better positioned depth wise.

7​
Chris ThomasDL6/6
315​
Sr.
11​
Denis Jaquez Jr.DL6/4
265​
Sr.
91​
George RooksDL6/5
295​
Sr.
4​
Dion WilsonDL6/5
305​
Sr.
94​
Kevin Jobity Jr.DL6/4
300​
Sr.
8​
David ReeseDL6/2
250​
Sr.
9​
Isaiah HastingsDL6/4
310​
Jr.
92​
Rashard PerryDL6/3
295​
Jr.
99​
Elijah Fuentes-CundiffDL6/4
295​
Sr.
58​
Nathan NyandoroDL6/6
270​
Fr
77​
Jaylen PrayDL6/6
290​
Fr
52​
Deangelo ThompsonDL6/3
235​
Fr
88​
Elijah CrawfordDL6/4
285​
Fr
90​
Quante GilliansDL6/5
290​
Fr
93​
Nissi OgbeborDL6/6
300​
Fr
95​
Eric ThomasDL6/2
330​
Fr

This unit is really dominated with upperclassmen. 7 Srs should all play and Hastings and Perry were regulars as Sophomores. I think there will be three solid lines to rotate through. For pass rush there is David O that can be considered DL adjacent.

This unit is going to need to make up the lack of impact players through depth and experience. A bunch of solid guys. Hopefully a Watson type of impact can come from one or two of the freshmen.
 
In order to compete against the upcoming schedule, the DL size and depth needed to improve. Putting aside replacing Diggs, a huge issue last year was giving up huge interior runs. The staff made a concerted effort to increase the number and size of guys that can play. A lot of key guys like Jobity and Wilson were lost for the year fairly earlier in the season and guys had to play a lot more snaps than desirable. I think the team is better positioned depth wise.

7​
Chris ThomasDL6/6
315​
Sr.
11​
Denis Jaquez Jr.DL6/4
265​
Sr.
91​
George RooksDL6/5
295​
Sr.
4​
Dion WilsonDL6/5
305​
Sr.
94​
Kevin Jobity Jr.DL6/4
300​
Sr.
8​
David ReeseDL6/2
250​
Sr.
9​
Isaiah HastingsDL6/4
310​
Jr.
92​
Rashard PerryDL6/3
295​
Jr.
99​
Elijah Fuentes-CundiffDL6/4
295​
Sr.
58​
Nathan NyandoroDL6/6
270​
Fr
77​
Jaylen PrayDL6/6
290​
Fr
52​
Deangelo ThompsonDL6/3
235​
Fr
88​
Elijah CrawfordDL6/4
285​
Fr
90​
Quante GilliansDL6/5
290​
Fr
93​
Nissi OgbeborDL6/6
300​
Fr
95​
Eric ThomasDL6/2
330​
Fr

This unit is really dominated with upperclassmen. 7 Srs should all play and Hastings and Perry were regulars as Sophomores. I think there will be three solid lines to rotate through. For pass rush there is David O that can be considered DL adjacent.

This unit is going to need to make up the lack of impact players through depth and experience. A bunch of solid guys. Hopefully a Watson type of impact can come from one or two of the freshmen.
While good for this year, the class imbalance is going to be an issue for 26. Probably going to be the position they will need to spend money on next year in the portal.
 
While good for this year, the class imbalance is going to be an issue for 26. Probably going to be the position they will need to spend money on next year in the portal.
Not to mention Cuse probably pitch a very good chance of earning a starting spot as well.
 
While good for this year, the class imbalance is going to be an issue for 26. Probably going to be the position they will need to spend money on next year in the portal.
That is why they went so heavy on the DL bigs in the 2025 class. But I agree, in 2026 we will certainly need to bring in a few upperclassman DL that are ready to contribute immediately.
 
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While good for this year, the class imbalance is going to be an issue for 26. Probably going to be the position they will need to spend money on next year in the portal.

Class unbalance is not as big an issue with the portal as it used to be in the days before the portal.

Several of the seniors on this list came to Cuse via the portal (C. Thomas, Rooks, Wilson and Reese) and will be replace via the portal if needed.

Money will be needed for sure. Either to keep the next up and coming DL (see Morad Watson) or to attract experienced talent out of the portal.
 
Updated Weights provided here (post #91):

PositionNameHtFall 2025Spring 2025Change
DLDion Wilson Jr.6'-5"3052969
DLIsaiah Hastings6'-4"31029416
DLDenis Jaquez Jr.6'-4"2652596
DLRashard Perry6'-3"2952914
DLKevin Jobity Jr.6'-4"30027723
DLElijah Fuentes-Cundiff6'-4"2952896
DLEric Thomas6'-4"330
DLNathan Nyandro6'-6"270
DLDeAngelo Thompson6'-3"235
DLJaylen Pray6'-6"290
DLChris Thomas6'-6"315
DLElijah Crawford6'-6"285
DLDavid Reese6'-3"250
DLQuante Gillians6'-2"290
DLGeorge Rooks6'-5"295
DLNissi Ogbebor6'-6"300
 
Landing Chris Thomas / Rooks in the transfer portal was HUGE last offseason. This is going to likely be one of those unusual situations where we lose a high quality starter like Watson to Texas, and somehow the unit is still improved -- due to quality depth.

I'll break this down focusing on the upperclassmen. I'm sure some frosh will also get into the mix, but impossible to guess how that will play out right now.

DTs:
7Chris ThomasDL6/6315Sr.
91George RooksDL6/5295Sr.
4Dion WilsonDL6/5305Sr.
94Kevin Jobity Jr.DL6/4300Sr.
9Isaiah HastingsDL6/4310Jr.
92Rashard PerryDL6/3295Jr.
99Elijah Fuentes-CundiffDL6/4295Sr.


I get that Rooks is a new face, but he's a guy who has started prior to landing here. And players like Fuentes-Cundiff has tons of experience playing on the two deep for multiple years.

Out of the 7 players listed above -- again, not counting any frosh in the mix -- we have five guys who are above average.
  • Thomas is a Florida / Marshall transfer, with massive size
  • Rooks is a former starter at another school
  • Tank is the anchor of the DL interior, and a key team leader
  • Jobbity is somehow up to 300 pounds, and is disruptive in the backfield as well as against the run
  • Perry is an athletic freak, who has produced
Hastings / Fuentes-Cundiff round out an experienced nucleus.

At DE, we have a big gap to fill in terms of replacing Diggs's production, and the numbers aren't as good with quality / experienced depth:

DE's:
11Denis Jaquez Jr.DL6/4265Sr.
8David ReeseDL6/2250Sr.

  • Jaquez Jr. has been a solid contributor for a couple of years.
  • Reese was a quality producer at California, who should be able to replace quite a bit of what we lost from Diggs. He's entering his 8th year playing college ball, and is a grown a$$ man that has converted to being a full time DE.
I'm guessing that we'll use some unusual formations to help offset the lack of proven depth here. We'll also use a trio of LBs as situational edge rushers:
  • For example, wouldn't surprise me to see LB Omopariola used in a similar manner as Diggs last year, on snaps where Diggs didn't play with his hand down and lined up standing up like a LB.
  • Heard is another LB who is supposedly a pass rushing specialized.
  • Lesaine is another edge / LB combo.
  • Lots of opportunity here for a frosh or two, if one of them is capable.
 
Landing Chris Thomas / Rooks in the transfer portal was HUGE last offseason. This is going to likely be one of those unusual situations where we lose a high quality starter like Watson to Texas, and somehow the unit is still improved -- due to quality depth.

I'll break this down focusing on the upperclassmen. I'm sure some frosh will also get into the mix, but impossible to guess how that will play out right now.

DTs:
7Chris ThomasDL6/6315Sr.
91George RooksDL6/5295Sr.
4Dion WilsonDL6/5305Sr.
94Kevin Jobity Jr.DL6/4300Sr.
9Isaiah HastingsDL6/4310Jr.
92Rashard PerryDL6/3295Jr.
99Elijah Fuentes-CundiffDL6/4295Sr.


I get that Rooks is a new face, but he's a guy who has started prior to landing here. And players like Fuentes-Cundiff has tons of experience playing on the two deep for multiple years.

Out of the 7 players listed above -- again, not counting any frosh in the mix -- we have five guys who are above average.
  • Thomas is a Florida / Marshall transfer, with massive size
  • Rooks is a former starter at another school
  • Tank is the anchor of the DL interior, and a key team leader
  • Jobbity is somehow up to 300 pounds, and is disruptive in the backfield as well as against the run
  • Perry is an athletic freak, who has produced
Hastings / Fuentes-Cundiff round out an experienced nucleus.

At DE, we have a big gap to fill in terms of replacing Diggs's production, and the numbers aren't as good with quality / experienced depth:

DE's:
11Denis Jaquez Jr.DL6/4265Sr.
8David ReeseDL6/2250Sr.

  • Jaquez Jr. has been a solid contributor for a couple of years.
  • Reese was a quality producer at California, who should be able to replace quite a bit of what we lost from Diggs. He's entering his 8th year playing college ball, and is a grown a$$ man that has converted to being a full time DE.
I'm guessing that we'll use some unusual formations to help offset the lack of proven depth here. We'll also use a trio of LBs as situational edge rushers:
  • For example, wouldn't surprise me to see LB Omopariola used in a similar manner as Diggs last year, on snaps where Diggs didn't play with his hand down and lined up standing up like a LB.
  • Heard is another LB who is supposedly a pass rushing specialized.
  • Lesaine is another edge / LB combo.
  • Lots of opportunity here for a frosh or two, if one of them is capable.
Great analysis. Agree on David O. I expect him to be used in similar fashion as you note. I think he could exceed what we got from Diggs. Very high on him. Impressive man.
 
I think we'll be able to play the run fairly well by our Dline...what concerns me are the LBs.
Barron and Wax were steady...McDonald doesn't really impress me.
Need guys to "step up"... ZMG, Sparrow, Heard, Diggs...they look good on paper.
Omopariola is listed as a 260 lb...I like our LB coach- I think he'll figure sumpin' out.
 
I think we'll be able to play the run fairly well by our Dline...what concerns me are the LBs.
Barron and Wax were steady...McDonald doesn't really impress me.
Need guys to "step up"... ZMG, Sparrow, Heard, Diggs...they look good on paper.
Omopariola is listed as a 260 lb...I like our LB coach- I think he'll figure sumpin' out.

We have two experienced returnees -- Sparrow and McDonald.

We also have a highly coveted FCS transfer MLB, who might be able to step right in for Wax.

Behind that trio, we also have Omopariola and Heard, both upperclassmen -- and that impressive Canadian kid. Also Lesaine, ZMG, and the frosh.

I think we have the makings of a quality LB corps. I qualify that Wax / Barron were good as hell, but if that FCS transfer can step in, I think there might not be a dropoff.
 
We have two experienced returnees -- Sparrow and McDonald.

We also have a highly coveted FCS transfer MLB, who might be able to step right in for Wax.

Behind that trio, we also have Omopariola and Heard, both upperclassmen -- and that impressive Canadian kid. Also Lesaine, ZMG, and the frosh.

I think we have the makings of a quality LB corps. I qualify that Wax / Barron were good as hell, but if that FCS transfer can step in, I think there might not be a dropoff.

(off-thread) - Bryant. Highly touted. But per the OP it's good to see that the hybrid/DL LB's added some weight (Lesaine; David O)
PositionNameHtFall 2025Spring 2025Change
LBJames Heard6'-2"2302282
LBZyian Moultrie-Goddard6'-0"230234-4
LBAnwar Sparrow6'-1"2252232
LBJahide Lesaine Jr.6'-4"25023911
LBDerek McDonald6'-4"230232-2
LBCaden Brown6'-4"22520421
LBDavid Omopariola6'-3"26024416
LBFatim Diggs6'-2"23021911
LBAntooine Deslauriers6'-1"235
LBFran Brown Jr.5'-11"220
LBGary Byant III6'-1"230
 
We have two experienced returnees -- Sparrow and McDonald.

We also have a highly coveted FCS transfer MLB, who might be able to step right in for Wax.

Behind that trio, we also have Omopariola and Heard, both upperclassmen -- and that impressive Canadian kid. Also Lesaine, ZMG, and the frosh.

I think we have the makings of a quality LB corps. I qualify that Wax / Barron were good as hell, but if that FCS transfer can step in, I think there might not be a dropoff.
Not trying to be a jerk...Barron and Wax had good careers at Cuse.
Good as hell...?
They didn't make the 1-3 All ACC football squads...did make honorable mention
Did either get drafted... no... but did get picked up as UFAs.

Maybe my bar was too high...
 
As i have mentioned before, we need to let these guys loose and hit gaps to make plays in backfield. Last year we just stood at line locked onto guy and played read and then react. Not any team that i have seen in playoffs played a read and react style and won. Bam, Georgia, Clemson, Michigan, and O st all downhill attack styles with dline trying to move LOS backwards. Hoping we do more moving, dipping, stunting which we didnt do at all, sliding, and general trickery to win some of these games we gotta play
 
Not trying to be a jerk...Barron and Wax had good careers at Cuse.
Good as hell...?
They didn't make the 1-3 All ACC football squads...did make honorable mention
Did either get drafted... no... but did get picked up as UFAs.

Maybe my bar was too high...

Yeah -- they were both good as hell for Syracuse University football.

Wax would have garnered all conference consideration if he didn't get hurt, and Barron was a multi-year, productive starter. Who cares about the NFL [and I wouldn't be surprised if either or BOTH of them stick on a squad this year]?

Any fan of Syracuse would take either of them back on this year's squad in a heartbeat. Because they were good as hell.
 
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As i have mentioned before, we need to let these guys loose and hit gaps to make plays in backfield. Last year we just stood at line locked onto guy and played read and then react. Not any team that i have seen in playoffs played a read and react style and won. Bam, Georgia, Clemson, Michigan, and O st all downhill attack styles with dline trying to move LOS backwards. Hoping we do more moving, dipping, stunting which we didnt do at all, sliding, and general trickery to win some of these games we gotta play

100%

The defensive scheme needs to be tweaked or maybe refined would be a better word. Has to be more aggressive this year as it's not likely the offense will replicate the same level of success w/o Kyle.

When hired, ERob was quoted that this defense will be "hunting and not fishing". Hope we see that come to light in year 2.
 
100%

The defensive scheme needs to be tweaked or maybe refined would be a better word. Has to be more aggressive this year as it's not likely the offense will replicate the same level of success w/o Kyle.

When hired, ERob was quoted that this defense will be "hunting and not fishing". Hope we see that come to light in year 2.
I think we were probably limited by some injuries up front and overall talent / speed to do what we really wanted. Curious to see if we get more aggressive this year.
 
Not trying to be a jerk...Barron and Wax had good careers at Cuse.
Good as hell...?
They didn't make the 1-3 All ACC football squads...did make honorable mention
Did either get drafted... no... but did get picked up as UFAs.

Maybe my bar was too high...
Neither Barron nor Wax were drafted. They signed with their respective teams as an UDFA. They signed the contracts below and will make the stated money IF THEY MAKE THE TEAM. They will be paid the bonus money whether they make the team or not, which is true for all UDFA'S.

Dallas
Justin Barron # 55 LB, signed a 3 year, $2,985,000 contract with the Dallas Cowboys, including $20,000 signing bonus, $234,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $995,000.

LA Chargers
Marlowe Wax #58 LB, signed a 3-year, $2,968,000 contract with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent. The contract includes a $3,000 signing bonus and a $3,000 guarantee. His average annual salary is $989,333.

I will list all Drafted and UDFA players and their contracts in another post in this thread.
 
(off-thread) - Bryant. Highly touted. But per the OP it's good to see that the hybrid/DL LB's added some weight (Lesaine; David O)
PositionNameHtFall 2025Spring 2025Change
LBJames Heard6'-2"2302282
LBZyian Moultrie-Goddard6'-0"230234-4
LBAnwar Sparrow6'-1"2252232
LBJahide Lesaine Jr.6'-4"25023911
LBDerek McDonald6'-4"230232-2
LBCaden Brown6'-4"22520421
LBDavid Omopariola6'-3"26024416
LBFatim Diggs6'-2"23021911
LBAntooine Deslauriers6'-1"235
LBFran Brown Jr.5'-11"220
LBGary Byant III6'-1"230

Fran Brown Jr hasn’t worked with the LB for some time now. He is working with the RB’s presumably as a blocking back. Also working as a long snapper. I’m sure they’re trying to find a spot for him where he can justify a spot in the travel roster. I’m sure we will see him on other special teams too.

I’m still hearing Caden Brown is working at Star. Well down the depth chart but he is new to playing in space. I understand he’s a freak athlete who was an edge rushing specialist in high school (is that accurate?).

Bryant is a leader and appears to be our top LB. Also getting 1st team reps is Heard (does it help to be the HC’s nephew?). I’m hearing the 2’s have been McDonald and Sparrow or Deslauriers.

Deslauriers was in a green jersey (no contact)on day 1, but normal defensive orange jersey after day 1. I have no idea why the green jersey, but he’s appears to be good to go now.

Bryant (RS-Jr) and Heard (RS-So) could both be back in 2026 which would be nice considering how DL and S we could be losing.
 
Fran Brown Jr hasn’t worked with the LB for some time now. He is working with the RB’s presumably as a blocking back. Also working as a long snapper. I’m sure they’re trying to find a spot for him where he can justify a spot in the travel roster. I’m sure we will see him on other special teams too.

I’m still hearing Caden Brown is working at Star. Well down the depth chart but he is new to playing in space. I understand he’s a freak athlete who was an edge rushing specialist in high school (is that accurate?).

Bryant is a leader and appears to be our top LB. Also getting 1st team reps is Heard (does it help to be the HC’s nephew?). I’m hearing the 2’s have been McDonald and Sparrow or Deslauriers.

Deslauriers was in a green jersey (no contact)on day 1, but normal defensive orange jersey after day 1. I have no idea why the green jersey, but he’s appears to be good to go now.

Bryant (RS-Jr) and Heard (RS-So) could both be back in 2026 which would be nice considering how DL and S we could be losing.
Fran said he had a mild hamstring issue day 1.
 
The following is a list of the 2025 Drafted and UDFA signings the contracts they signed and the teams they signed with.

DRAFTED PLAYERS

1.
Kyle McCord # 19 QB EAGLES - Kyle McCord signed a four-year, $4.46 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. The contract includes a $261,232 signing bonus and $261,232 guaranteed, with an average annual salary of $1,115,308, according to Spotrac.com and Over the Cap.

2. Oronde Gasden # 86 TE - Oronde Gadsden II signed a four-year, $4,574,036 contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. The contract includes $374,036 in guaranteed money and has an average annual salary of $1,143,509, according to Over the Cap.

3. LeQuint Allen #36 RB - LeQuint Allen signed a four-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars worth $4,318,756. The contract includes a $118,756 signing bonus and $118,756 guaranteed, according to Spotrac.com. His average annual salary is $1,079,689.

4. Fadil Diggs # 46 Edge - Fadil Diggs signed a 4-year, $4,301,672 contract with the New Orleans Saints after being selected in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The contract includes a $101,672 signing bonus and $101,672 guaranteed, with an average annual salary of $1,075,418, according to Spotrac.com.

UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS - UDFA - Players must make the 53 - man roster to make their money.

5. Alijah Clark
# 38 DB - Alijah Clark signed a 3 year, $2,990,000 contract with the Dallas Cowboys, including $25,000 signing bonus, $259,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $996,667. In 2025, Clark will earn a base salary of $840,000 and a signing bonus of $25,000, while carrying a cap hit of $848,333 and a dead cap value of $259,000.

6. Marlowe Wax # 58 LB - Marlowe Wax signed a 3-year, $2,968,000 contract with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent. The contract includes a $3,000 signing bonus and a $3,000 guarantee. His average annual salary is $989,333.

7. Jackson Meeks # 83 WR - Jackson Meeks signed a 3-year, $2,985,000 contract with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent. The contract includes a $20,000 signing bonus and $220,000 in guaranteed money, according to Over the Cap. The average annual salary is $995,000, according to Spotrac.com.

8. Justin Barron # 55 LB - Justin Barron signed a 3 year, $2,985,000 contract with the Dallas Cowboys, including $20,000 signing bonus, $234,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $995,000.

9. Clarence Lewis # 36 CB - Clarence Lewis signed a 3 year, $2,980,000 contract with the Tennessee Titans, including $15,000 signing bonus, $70,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $993,333.

10. Savion Washington # 67 OT - Savion Washington signed a 3-year, $2,980,000 contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. The contract includes $15,000 in fully guaranteed money. His average annual salary is $993,333.

11. Maximilian Mang # 45 TE - Maximilian Mang signed a 3-year, $2,970,000 contract with the Indianapolis Colts. This includes a $5,000 signing bonus and $5,000 guaranteed. The average annual salary is $990,000, according to Over the Cap.

12. Tom Callahan # 57 LS - There is no other information on Tom other than he was invited to the Raiders camp. He is 6'3" 235 - Redshirt Senior Year (2024): Appeared in all-12 regular season games as the long snapper on punt and PAT/FG units ... Punter Jack Stonehouse set the program record for single-season net punting (45.73) ... Stonehouse was sixth nationally in the category ... Made a solo tackle in punt coverage against Virginia Tech (11/2). Jacob Bobenmoyer @ 6'0 235 is the Raiders current LS in the last year of his contract. We'll see what happens.

Good Luck to everyone above!
 
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Fran Brown Jr hasn’t worked with the LB for some time now. He is working with the RB’s presumably as a blocking back. Also working as a long snapper. I’m sure they’re trying to find a spot for him where he can justify a spot in the travel roster. I’m sure we will see him on other special teams too.

I’m still hearing Caden Brown is working at Star. Well down the depth chart but he is new to playing in space. I understand he’s a freak athlete who was an edge rushing specialist in high school (is that accurate?).

Bryant is a leader and appears to be our top LB. Also getting 1st team reps is Heard (does it help to be the HC’s nephew?). I’m hearing the 2’s have been McDonald and Sparrow or Deslauriers.

Deslauriers was in a green jersey (no contact)on day 1, but normal defensive orange jersey after day 1. I have no idea why the green jersey, but he’s appears to be good to go now.

Bryant (RS-Jr) and Heard (RS-So) could both be back in 2026 which would be nice considering how DL and S we could be losing.
Great to hear on Bryant. I didn’t know the family connection with Heard. Didn’t help him last year as he still didn’t get a lot of run even after Wax went down. If he’s worked his way up the depth chart that’s a good sign. He has a lot of potential.
 

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