2019 Spring Practice Recap + Fall Preview: Defensive Line

2019 Depth Chart (Spring)

Defensive End

1. Gus Cumberlander 6’7 254 RS Senior

2. Bryson Young 6’5 244 Senior

3. Kayvon Thibodeaux 6’5 240 Freshman

4. Andrew Faoliu 6’3 260 RS Freshman

5. Gary Baker 6’3 310 Senior

Defensive Tackle

1. Jordon Scott 6’1 329 Junior

2. Sione Kava 6’6 270 Senior

3. Popo Aumavae 6’3 309 RS Sophomore

Defensive Tackle

1. Austin Faoliu 6’3 285 Junior

2. Sione Kava

3. Gary Baker

4. Miguel Nevarez 6’4 301 RS Freshman

Defensive End

1. Drayton Carlberg 6’5 282 Senior

2. Gary Baker

3. Andrew Faoliu

4. Bryson Young

5. Kayvon Thibodeaux

What happened during spring practices?

• Much hyped five star true freshman Kayvon Thibodeaux enrolled early and garnered some praise. He was frequently seen running with the second unit throughout the spring according to 247 Sports. KT was dominant in the spring game.
• Coach Avalos installed a four man front, which is a departure from the three man fronts that former defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt used during his tenure in Eugene.
• The “starters” largely stayed the same with the backups rotating in some fashion. Right now, it looks to be Cumberlander, Scott, Carlberg getting a majority of the reps.
• Reports indicate that Bryson Young made significant strides towards earning major playing time.

Post Spring Depth Chart

Defensive End

1. Cumberlander

2A. Young

2B. Thibodeaux

3. Faoliu

4. Baker

5. Brandon Dorlus (redshirt)

Defensive Tackle

1. Scott

2. Kava

3. Aumavae

4. Keyon Ware-Hudson (redshirt)

5. Nevarez

6. Kristian Williams (redshirt)

Defensive Tackle

1. Faoliu

2. Kava

3. Baker

4. Nevarez

5. KWH

6. Williams

Defensive End

1. Carlberg

2. Baker

3. Andrew Faoliu

4. Young

What could happen during fall camp and the 2019 season?

• The starters are pretty much determined at this point in time barring injury or other reasons such as academics or misconduct.
• I fully expect Avalos to deploy some crazy formations out of the four man base such as inverted linemen, two down linemen, and possibly more blitzes.
• Thibodeaux will have a role to play as a rotational piece until he gets his feet wet in live game action. He probably won’t be Jadaveon Clowney good right off the bat but will likely make an impact at some point during the season.
• Dorlus, Ware-Hudson, and Williams will more than likely get the redshirt this season unless they impress in fall camp due to the depth ahead of them. Also working against them, not being an early enrollee.
• I’d like it if some of the younger players got reps as most of the defensive line are upperclassmen and could leave via the draft. Like the offensive line, the 2020 season could be reliant upon the young guys developing so some live action reps would do wonders.
• As it stands, there’s only one legitimate draft eligible candidate on the line (Fat Mac) but Carlberg and Cumberlander have a chance to get on the radar with excellent seasons. Young is another prospect to keep an eye on as well if he continues his strong spring performance.