KU Football: In Depth with the Defensive Line

(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

It's finally time to start looking at the KU Football 2009 position battles!  Sort of. 

Mark Mangino isn't a big fan of informing the general public about...well, anything really.  I'm okay with that, though.  It makes my job a lot funner, and provides me with an excuse if/when it turns out that I'm not even close.

Anyway, let's have a look at the prospective 2009 defensive line.

Strongside Defensive End

Jake Laptad is the only proven strong-side defensive end on the team, and will likely see more snaps than not on that side of the line. Jeff Wheeler will probably start the season as No. 2, but should be wary of several talented freshmen right on his tail. 

First of all, redshirt freshman Duane Zlatnik brings a LOT of size to the table, while classmate D.J. Marshall is smaller, more athletic, and versatile enough to play either end. 

Equally as threatening to Wheeler are the true freshman committed to playing at KU next fall.  Randall Dent is my early favorite, but he has supposedly struggled coming off the edge this spring. People rave about Kevin Young, the other true-frosh strong-side end, and he has reportedly impressed Mangino thus far.

As much as I can't wait to see these young guys, if either Zlatnik or Marshall show that they can be effective as a third-stringer, KU fans can probably expect both true freshmen to take a redshirt this season.

Weakside Defensive End

JuCo transfer Quinton Woods and senior end Maxwell Onyegbule are very similar players, both in their statures and their strengths. These similarities leave us with a very exciting position battle.

Woods has the potential to ultimately wind up with the full-time job, but Onyegbule's heavier build and D-I experience lead me to think that he will probably play the earlier downs.  Hopefully the competition will serve as a motivator to both, especially Woods, who with Jamaal Greene and Jake Laptad could become an important part of a really special unit next season.

Freshmen Tyrone Sellers or Jacoby Thomas could both add immediate depth to our roster, but it wouldn't surprise me to see both of these youngsters redshirt as well.  If D.J. Marshall is as versatile as advertised, I think he will be good enough to hold down the third roster spot here.  If not, I think, with a little added muscle, Tyrone Sellers will be Mangino's choice.

Nose Tackle

This spot more-than-likely belongs to Jamaal Greene, but word has it that Darius Parish is improving immensely. The massive sophomore should get his fair share of opportunities in short-yardage situations, and will probably be marked down as the number 2 guy.

One good thing about Jamaal Greene is that despite his size, he is fast enough to be an effective pass-rusher.  However, if JuCo transfer Travis Stephens is productive in pressuring the passer from the other tackle spot, we could see the smaller sophomore Richard Johnson Jr. give Greene a breather in obvious passing situations.

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