University of Delaware Athletics
Football Positional Preview: Defensive Line
3/21/2023 4:36:00 PM | Football
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware football team is five practices into its spring schedule as the Blue Hens begin preparations for the 2023 season. Throughout the spring season, Bluehens.com will be taking an in-depth look at each of the team's position groups, with this edition featuring the defensive line.
One of the deeper position groups on the roster, the Blue Hens return several key members from the 2022 season. Chase McGowan, a three-time All-CAA selection, is back after leading the defense in both TFL (9.5) and sacks (5.0) a year ago. He finished the season with 30 tackles and was a constant presence in the opponents' backfield with five quarterback hurries and two pass breakups. Jack Hall appeared in all 13 games in 2022 and finished with 17 tackles, 1.5 TFL and 1.5 sacks. Ethan Saunders also saw significant time in the main rotation, registering nine tackles, 2.0 TFL and 1.5 sacks in 12 games.
"So far this spring the D-Line has really picked up the playbook and done a good job of understanding the schemes," said defensive line coach Sam Daniels. "They have also done a good job of helping each other learn the defense. We have good leaders up front in Chase, Jack and Ethan and you can see it trickle down throughout the group."
The Blue Hens have plenty of depth at the defensive line as the group also returns seven members of last year's squad that are looking to fight for more playing time next season. Upperclassmen Alton Dennis, RJ Macnamara, Pete Melle and Brett Novick combined to appear in 11 games in 2022 and register eight tackles. Rising sophomores Melkart Abou-Jaoude, Dominick Brogna and Brett Kwoka will all look for increased roles this season.
"These guys have been doing all the right things to put themselves in a position to become key contributors," said Daniels. "They do a good job of listing to the leaders we have returning. They take the coaching and then apply it to the drills."
The position room added some key new faces heading into spring practices as four newcomers joined the roster as transfers. Keyshawn Hunter (ODU), Nick Karika (Wagner), Damarcus Thompson (Reedley) and Amin Mimouni (Independence) will all look to make an immediate impact on their new squad.
"Another part of our unit I'm proud of is the energy they come out with each and every day in practice. The newcomers are adapting well and understanding how we play up front and what we expect of them play in and play out."
Additionally, the defensive line group will get even deeper over the summer when newcomers Todd Williams and Kion Wright join the Blue Hens as members of the University of Delaware Class of 2027
The Blue Hens finished the 2022 season, the first of the Ryan Carty era, with an 8-5 overall record and advanced to the second round of the FCS Championship. Delaware will open the 2023 season on Thursday, August 31 at Stony Brook.
Season tickets for the 2023 football season are on sale now and can be purchased HERE. Season ticket members receive price savings over singles games, early access to purchase tickets to Penn State, invitations to member events and more! Partial plans and single-game tickets will go on sale later this spring. Click HERE for more information.
For the latest on the Delaware football program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter @Delaware_FB and Instagram @delaware_fb, and like "Delaware Football" on Facebook. Follow Ryan Carty on Twitter @RyanCarty10.
