Defensive line: Carson-Newman’s defensive line is a tale of two positions. Defensive end seems to be fairly stout, while defensive tackle will break in two brand new starters. On one end of the line is a preseason Neal has earned preseason All- America and All-SAC honors 22 All-American, 2012 SAC Defensive Freshman of the Year and two-time all-conference selection in Javaris Neal. On the other side is AFCA Good Works team nominee William Alderman. Neal rumbled for a 41-yard interception return against Newberry (11/23) for a touchdown and also picked off a pass against Mars Hill (10/5). Neal was third in the league in tackles among defensive linemen. He was sixth in the league overall in sacks. He had a career best nine tackles against Brevard (9/21). Neal turned in season best 2.5 tackle for loss-performances against Brevard and Wingate (11/16) in the regular season and Newberry in the playoffs. He also took down the opposing quarterback 1.5 times in the Brevard and Newberry games. Neal produced a team high nine quarterback hurries, recovered two fumbles and forced another. Meanwhile, Alderman led Carson-Newman with 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. He also picked off a pass, forced and recovered a fumble and made four QB hurries. The interior line is comprised of David Way, Johnson Jamison and Frank Mutter among the returnees. Combined, the trio has one start. Way led the way last year with 21 tackles, Mutter followed suit with 10 while Jamison was sidelined for the year. Together they work to replace Jamar Neal and Michael Surgbally, who had the longest consecutive start streak among C-N defenders when he graduated in May. Linebackers: Carson-Newman’s linebackers were the position group undoubtedly hit the hardest by graduation. Gone is All-American Jaycob Coleman and his 270 career tackles (top 10 all-time at C-N); gone is Jonathan Sites and his 236 career stops and gone are Jarrell Emanuel and Greg Beauduy, both of whom started multiple games over the last two years. Among returning linebackers, Eric Cain, Michael “Chop” Ross and Kyler Fry have the most experience. Cain and Fry have been among C-N’s leading special teams tacklers each of the last two years and both are pound-for-pound among the strongest players on the team (Fry is, pound-for-pound, the strongest man on the team). Ross made 16 tackles in his debut season for the Eagles, all in spot duty. Coaches are putting large amounts of stock in a couple of transfers to make a significant impact. Hasan Ali comes to Mossy Creek from Weber State and Chris Dansby makes his way to campus from Murray State. Ali redshirted at WSU after playing for coach Mike Harrison at Holy Cross High School in San Antonio. He was the team captain
Carson-Newman Online 2014 Football Media Guide
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