The Cowboy defensive line has a lot of new faces this season and with added depth, OSU will look to cause problems for the Washington State offense, which is implementing a new offensive philosophy and will not have either of its projected starting tackles on the offensive line.
Youth abounds on the defensive line entering the season, but where the Cowboys lack in experience, they make up for it in confidence, athleticism and, for the first time in a long time, quality depth.
OSU is young, with only two seniors — tackles Jeray Chatham and Tonga Tea — on the projected two-deep chart, but, if this offseason is any indication, the Cowboys will be in shape and have the ability to rotate linemen.
“With the system we’re running now, the kids won’t get as worn down,” defensive coordinator Tim Beckman said. “We stretched them this offseason and made them play 12 to 15 play drives. Of course, we’re not going to do that in games, but we are teaching them to fight through fatigue.
“They have a lot of speed and they’re athletic; they just need experience.”
Experience is lacking after losing three starters,
but the Cowboys are loaded with young talent.
Junior Derek Burton has the most experience at defensive end after finishing second on the team with 3.5 sacks in 2007.
“I feel really good about us,” Burton said. “We have a lot of talent. We may not be experienced, but I feel our athleticism and tenacity will make up for it.
“We are also in better shape physically.”
The unproven Cowboy line has shown potential entering the season with sophomore Ugo Chinasa and redshirt freshman Richetti Jones garnering much of the attention.
Jones redshirted last season after requiring hip surgery, but he comes in with high expectations after being named a U.S. Army All-American as a high school senior.
The Cowboys added needed depth in the offseason signing five defensive linemen; three are from junior college and should provide instant help.
Defensive tackle Swanson Miller is the biggest name in the group after anchoring the line for JUCO national champions Butler County Community College.
Beckman said the added depth will have the most noticeable impact, and the infusion of fast, athletic players will add a new dimension to the defense.
“They are pretty raw right now but they are skilled and the players we return are good leaders,” Beckman said. “Having numbers and being in better shape only helps our cause.”
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