Deep Dive on the Tulane Defensive Line
Analysis and Predictions for a Unit Looking to Bounce Back in 2020
Story by FTW writer Kelly Comarda. To follow Fear the Wave, please subscribe to our newsletter here on Substack or follow FTW on Twitter.
Tulane’s defensive line had huge expectations coming into the 2019 season, and despite the Tulane defense improving in several defensive categories in 2019, the defensive line failed to meet expectations. Look no further than the sack total, which fell off from 41 in 2018 to 21 in 2019. In this article, we’ll dive into Tulane’s defensive line to see how the Wave can pressure opposing quarterbacks in 2020.
The Known Commodities
Patrick Johnson finished his Sophomore year in 2018 with 10.5 sacks. That number would have been higher if two fumbles he forced hadn’t been recovered by the offense past the line of scrimmage. He was poised for a breakout 2019 season when he tore a rotator cuff, causing him to play one-handed most of last year. While Johnson was able to tough it out, his play suffered. He finished the season with 4 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss despite the injury and seeing frequent double teams. Johnson, who is seen as a potential NFL draft pick in 2021, will have to show that he can return to his 2018 form in order for the Wave to improve its pass rush. I’d place the over/under on sacks for Johnson at 10. If he hits the over, Tulane will have a great chance to improve on defense in 2020.
Cameron Sample is coming off a Junior season which saw his sack numbers drop from 4 in 2018 to 1.5 in 2019. Sample may have suffered a little from Patrick Johnson’s injury as he attracted attention as the next best pass rusher. Sample possesses good size and length but is not a prototypical, quick twitched edge rusher. When he is at his best, Sample uses a combination of length and power to put pressure on opposing QBs. For the Wave to be successful in 2020, Sample will need to not only rebound to his 2018 form but improve upon it. Sample has also been injury prone during his time at Tulane, coming out of several games, so health will also be key for him in 2020.
De’Andre Williams came to Tulane with little fanfare or recruiting interest. In his 4 years Uptown, Williams has turned into a force in the interior of Tulane’s defensive line. At 6’3 290 lbs, Williams is powerfully-built and has shown above average quickness for his size. Williams was credited with 59 tackles in 2019, a big number for a defensive lineman, yet he hasn’t found a way to make many plays behind the line of scrimmage. Williams’ tackle statistics actually compare favorably to former Tulane defensive tackle Tanzel Smart who had 4 career sacks and 58 tackles as a Junior. The difference is that Smart made more plays behind the line of scrimmage against the run. Williams hopes to have a breakout Senior season which would include double digit tackles for loss.
Jeffery Johnson is another mammoth interior defensive lineman whose job is to clog the middle of the offensive line. He has done a tremendous job of that at times in his first two seasons at Tulane. However, Johnson is not much of a pass rusher and enters 2020 with 3 career sacks in 2 seasons. Don’t expect Johnson to put up big sack numbers again this year, but he should be effective on first and second down shutting down running lanes for opposing runners. Johnson’s value will be measured as much by how many blockers he absorbs on a given play as it will be by how many plays he makes behind the line of scrimmage.
Missing in Action in 2019
Carlos Hatcher was injured for most of the 2019 season and took a redshirt. Hatcher and Juan Monjarres were integral to Tulane’s pass rush because they could use their speed to threaten the edge opposite Patrick Johnson. Without Hatcher and Monjarres, Tulane was forced to use Malik Lawal, a linebacker by trade who lacked size and length, as an edge rusher. Lawal was unable to create consistent pressure off the edge, and Tulane’s pass rush suffered as a whole. Tulane is counting on Hatcher to have a rebound 2020 season to take some pressure off Patrick Johnson. Over/under on sacks is 4.
Like Hatcher, Davon Wright saw a promising freshman campaign turn into a Sophomore slump with injuries affecting his play. Other than making a big stop for a loss against Houston late in the 4th quarter in 2019, Wright was missing in action. When he’s been healthy, Wright has flashed an ability to rush the passer. At 6’1 and 310 lbs, Wright could provide the interior push the Wave needs on third downs. Getting a bounce-back year from Wright will be key especially if the Wave suffers any injuries to the interior defensive line.
The Diaper Dandies
Tulane has a handful of good, young true freshman defensive linemen waiting to make an impact. Angelo Anderson is one of the top-5 rated recruits in recent Tulane history. The 6’2 255 lb edge rusher hopes to make an immediate impact opposite Patrick Johnson and should push Cameron Sample and Carlos Hatcher for early playing time. Anderson is a relentless worker who has all of the tools necessary to challenge Keenan Blackmon’s Tulane career sack record.
Noah Taliancich is a talented, versatile defensive lineman who enrolled early and showed the ability to use his powerful 270 lb frame to generate pressure. As an early enrollee, Taliancich has a leg up on the other freshmen defensive linemen, and while coaches would love to redshirt Taliancich, he’s physically ready to make an impact if necessary as a true freshman.
Adonis Friloux committed to Houston early in the recruiting period, but Tulane continued to pursue him and eventually got Friloux to sign in February. Friloux, like the other incoming freshman, has the physical ability and profile to play as a true freshman, but coaches would love to redshirt him to preserve another year of eligibility. Friloux possesses long arms which allow him to create separation from blockers. He wins with above-average quickness and plays with good leverage. Friloux, who played at 270-280 lbs in high school, is now tipping the scales at 300 lbs and will be in the mix for playing time behind De’Andre Williams.
Brandon Brown is a 310 lb nose tackle who earned several accolades as a high schooler in the Dallas Metro Area. Despite his size, Brown put up impressive sack numbers in high school using a combination of power and quickness. While Jeffery Johnson has the inside edge at nose tackle, Brown could give Johnson some much needed rest.
Waiting in the Wings
Armoni Dixon and Darius Hodges are redshirt freshmen who will look to make an impact after sitting out a year. Dixon is a speed rusher whose game is similar to Carlos Hatcher. Darius Hodges is a big, physical player who at 265 lbs has the size to rush from the inside and the speed to turn the corner. Both Dixon and Hodges will be competing with the incoming freshmen for playing time behind the expected starters. If Dixon and Hodges can win backup jobs, it will allow Coach Fritz to redshirt Taliancich and possibly Adonis Friloux.
Other players who could make an impact are redshirt freshman Eric Hicks, junior Alfred Thomas, redshirt junior Torri Singletary and redshirt sophomore walk-on Noah Seiden.
Predictions
Tulane might be even more talented on the defensive line this year than it was in 2019. Generating pass rush and penetration against the run will be key to Tulane’s 2020 success with several new faces in the defensive backfield. Patrick Johnson will have a bounce-back year, and Angelo Anderson will break out in the latter half of 2020 giving Tulane one of the top defensive lines in the AAC.