ASU Football Defensive Line Could Be Intimidating

PHOTO COURTESY: ASU ATHLETICS

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- When you return the best rushing defense in the conference and you have your top four defensive linemen returning, and two of those are all-conference performers, things may look good along the defensive front.  That is exactly what the Hornets have coming back along their impressive front line of the defense and may be a reason the Hornets were picked to win the East Division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Back to lead the defensive front will be senior Derrick Billups, a 2013 All-SWAC pick and a 2014 preseason pick.  Another All-SWAC honoree Edward Mosley will man one of the defensive end spots while Chris Terry will man the other.  Justin Mitchell will join Billups at defensive tackle and Roderick Henderson will also be at tackle while Antoinio Humphrey will be at defensive end.

"We know we have some strong and talented players along the defensive front," Head Coach Reggie Barlow said.  "When they are in shape they are tough to deal with.  We know they are going to be the front line of defense and if they play well we know we have a shot on defense."

Former Auburn standout DeMarco McNeil knows what it takes to play on the defensive line of scrimmage after fighting those battles in the SEC four years.  He has coached the Hornets defensive front for the past three years and he likes what he sees from the defensive front.

"So far so good, but there are still a couple of days where they don't come out with genuine enthusiasm but that's football," McNeil said.  "Overall the guys are working hard and they are playing the game the right way.  They do everything I ask them to do and that's all you can ask for from a group."

Only Henderson and Humphrey are not seniors among this group of linemen so the Hornets brought in six new defensive linemen to begin to work into the system so they will be ready when their numbers are called.

"We got some younger guys like Marcus Adams and Andre Wilson who are going to play a lot for us this year," McNeil said.  "The younger guys have been practicing hard and grasping what we are trying to do.  There are a few days where their heads are spinning, but for the most part they give us everything they have."

It will not take long for the defensive line along with the rest of the defense to be tested as they will face a top-20 team in Sam Houston State to open the season this weekend.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS