2010 Defensive Line
Key Departures: Jared Odrick, Tom Golarz (yes, I'm using the term "key" losely), possibly Jerome Hayes
Projected Starters: DE Jack Crawford (Jr), DT Ollie Ogbu (Sr), DT Devon Still (Jr), DE Eric Latimore (Jr)/possibly Jerome Hayes (GS)
Depth: DT - Chimaeze Okoli (Jr), Jordan Hill (So), Brandon Ware (So), James Terry (So - may move back to O-Line), Tom McEowen (Sr) DE - Kevion Latham (Jr), Sean Stanley (So), Pete Massaro (So - coming off on torn MCL), Garry Gilliam (Fr - may move to TE)
Incoming Commits: DT - Evan Hailes (#7), DaQuan Jones (listed as #42 OG on Scouts, but I believe he was recruited as a DT) DE - Dominique Easley (#5), Dakota Royer (#9), C.J. Olaniyan (#17), Kyle Baublitz (#27) (position rank from Scouts.com)
This may be one of the deeper units next year, mostly due to the quality of the DLine recruits for 2010. Easley, Hailes, and Royer may be able to play right away and provide depth along with other quality returning depth provided by Hill, Ware (if he gets out of the dog house), Latham, and Stanley. Not to mention a year under the belts of Crawford, Still, and Latimore. Ogbu may get some of the same accolades as Odrick did this year, as he has been very disruptive next to the Big Ten's Defensive MVP in 2009. Still and Stanley have impressed in back-up roles this year, as well.