A SUPER STRENGTH
D-line ‘Avengers’ should be among conference’s best
When junior Solomon Wise looks at UTSA’s defensive line, he’s struck by the Roadrunners’ quantity and variety of players. At times, the strength of the group feels outright heroic.
“I call us ‘The Avengers,’ ” Wise said. “We’re each something special, but as a whole, we’re powerful, and we can all do something well.”
With nine returning contributors from last year’s roster, UTSA’s defensive line has been praised as one of the team’s deepest and most talented position groups.
As offenses are aiming to spread the field and push tempo, defensive coordinator Jason Rollins said UTSA will reap the benefits of rotating through a bevy of options.
“That’s extremely important,” Rollins said. “We don’t want a big drop-off when you sub one for another. So we rarely like to call those guys starters. We just call guys rotational players, so they’ll all be in the rotation.”
Roadrunners coach Frank Wilson said he believes UTSA’s defensive line can compete with “the upper echelon in this conference and beyond.”
The group of nine returners — four seniors, four juniors and one sophomore — includes seven players with multiple years of experience.
“We’re looking really good,” junior DeQuarius Henry said. “We’re pretty deep. … If everybody is on the same page, if everybody does their part, we can create a pretty good defensive line.”
Together, UTSA’s nine returners combined for 170 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and six forced fumbles last season. The unit cycled heavily, as eight players cracked double digits in tackles, led by now-senior Jarrod Carter-McLin with 30.
Across their careers, UTSA’s nine returning defensive linemen have combined for 319 tackles, 56.5 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks and nine forced fumbles.
“We’ll be more experienced,” Rollins said. “We played a lot of guys that were young. We had a lot of game experience that is paying its toll this year. We’re happy about that.”
At Conference USA Media Day, two weeks before the start of fall camp, Wilson already was pointing to the importance of defensive end Eric
Banks and tackles King Newton and Baylen Baker — all seniors who have played prominent roles since their true freshman seasons in 2016.
Wilson also included Wise in that group. A redshirt junior who played as a true freshman in 2016, Wise consistently drew praise for his pass-rush ability through the spring. But his five tackles last season ranked last among UTSA’s returning linemen.
“It’s their turn,” Wilson said. “They’ve grown up. They played a lot as true freshmen. Those guys are ready to bud.”
The Roadrunners are on their fourth defensive line coach in four years, but Henry said that turnover hasn’t kept the players from coming together.
“We all have the team defensive line chemistry,” Henry said. “We’ve had different coaches, but the team and the camaraderie between the defensive line group has stayed together. We all know each other, so we all bring that same type of energy on the field.”
Wise said he also has been impressed by the speed of newcomer Clarence Hicks, a late addition to UTSA’s signing class who stands 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds.
Hicks racked up 14 sacks last year at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College as one of JUCO’s most productive pass rushers.
“Fierce pass rusher. Elite speed. Great get-off,” Wilson said. “Really dynamic pass rusher. Gives us something, some added value at the edge position for us. And stout enough to be able to play on the run downs as well. But he’s a specialist when it comes to rushing the quarterback.”
Each player has had standout moments or shown dominant traits. Wilson highlighted defensive tackle Brandon Matterson, a sophomore from Brandeis, pulling in a tipped pass during an early scrimmage and returning the interception 35 yards for a touchdown, emphasized with a dunk over the goal posts.
Wise, the son of former NFL player Deatrich Wise, said he brings speed, intensity, heart and drive.
Carter-McLin said he has been studying past UTSA standouts Marcus Davenport and Kevin Strong to pick up on their pass-rush techniques.
Henry said he is more comfortable and working to play faster after seeing his first significant action as a junior last season.
“It’s really fun,” Henry said. “We’ve all got different personalities, and to put them all together is very high intensity and energy. That’s what I like most about it.”
Carter-McLin said he couldn’t pick one name he expected to be UTSA’s top pass rusher this season. Henry, Banks, CarterMcLin, Wise and junior Lorenzo Dantzler are the standout returners at end, with Matterson, Newton, Baker and junior Jaylon Haynes holding down the middle.
“There’s not really any drop-off,” Carter-McLin said. “It’s going to be a close race, for sure, but we have guys who can really get after the quarterback and do that really well.”
Almost like trying to pick the best Avenger. Each piece just has to find a role.
“I would be Iron Man,” Wise said. “Because I’m the son of something great, and I’ve got a bunch of tools in my kit.”