DEFENSIVE LINE OUTLOOK
Fresno State returns a veteran group along its defensive line with preseason All-Mountain West selection Devo Bridges among 10 returning players, adding to a defense that is loaded in all the right positions and can make a big statement in a second season under defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle and defensive line coach Jethro Franklin.
There isn't a group that spends more time on the practice field than the defensive line, as Franklin is determined to put a product on the field that will make the Red Wave proud.
"We are still grinding, still working," the Bulldogs' defensive line coach said. "We'll be doing that throughout the whole season. We'll continue to develop and get better each week. Everyone is being very competitive which is awesome. The cream rises to the top."
Who's back: Bridges, the only preseason All-MW selection on the Bulldogs' defense, is one of their most versatile players. He is the lone returner in the group that started all 14 games, and showcased his strength and physicality with 10 starts at defensive tackle and his agility and speed with four starts at defensive end. The senior was sixth on the team in tackles with 43 (27 solo). He recorded 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. Bridges had the second-most quarterback hurries for the Bulldogs with four.
The line also returns starters Isaiah Johnson and Johnny Hudson Jr.
Johnson saw action in all 14 games with 11 starts at defensive end a year ago. He racked up 28 tackles (14 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, three pass breakups and three quarterback hurries. The defense was happy to have him back - he had entered the transfer portal in the middle of the 2021 season and committed to UNLV before withdrawing his name when Jeff Tedford was named the head coach.
Hudson made an immediate impact after joining the program last season as a transfer from Contra Costa College. He played in all 14 games, earning the starting position at defensive tackle in week four at UConn. The fifth-year senior tallied 34 tackles (11 solo), 5.0 TFL, one sack, one fumble recovery and one pass breakup.
Gavriel Lightfoot had an impressive inaugural season with the Bulldogs, playing in 11 games and becoming the first true freshman to start on the interior defensive line for Fresno State since 1997. Lightfoot, who had three starts on the season, was the youngest player in the FBS to see the field in week one at just 17 years old.
He recorded nine tackles (eight solo), 2.0 TFL and one quarterback hurry.
The sophomore had a productive offseason to ensure more production in year two. "He worked on his hands, feet and quickness," Franklin said. "He's a lot stronger. We are happy with what he did in the offseason."
Charles Remlinger, Jacob Holmes and Sione Noa add to the depth after seeing a good amount of snaps in the rotation.
Remlinger had the best offseason according to Andy Ward, the Bulldogs' Director of Sports Performance. "He has one speed and that's 100 percent, all the time. He absolutely crushed the offseason, putting on 25 pounds and raising his strength numbers across the board. He would run with the linebackers instead of the defensive line and would still finish Top 5 every rep."
The Bulldogs also return Julius Gandy, Jahzon Jacks and Merhauti Xepera. Xepera transitioned to defensive line from tight end over the summer.
Who's new: Seven newcomers join the room, including four transfers who could make immediate impacts and three freshmen.
Kemari Munier-Bailey joins the Bulldogs after spending two seasons at Idaho. He was in on 22 total tackles last season and led the Vandals with 5.0 sacks and 8,0 TFL. The junior has had an impressive fall camp, showing his speed on the edge.
Junior college transfers Kavika Baumgartner, Ezra Christensen and Dupre Mendoza add even more experience to the line.
Freshmen Isiah Chala, Mordecai Hines and Jason Roberts II are wrapping up their first fall camp at Fresno State.
Coyle has been impressed with all three freshmen.
"The young guys are strong and powerful linemen," he said. "They are hardworking. They'll find roles in the rotation at some point this season."
What to watch: This defensive line group looks promising, loaded with the experience and depth, but they have to replace the production of defensive end David Perales.
That will not be an easy task.
Perales, a first team All-Mountain West defensive lineman, led the group with 47 tackles, a team-high 16.0 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. He added two forced fumbles, one interception, six quarterback hurries and broke up five passes. His 16.0 TFLs were the most in a season by a Bulldog since 2015, and his 11.5 sacks the most in a season by a Bulldog since 2001. He finished the season ranked No. 7 in the FBS in sacks.
"It will have to be a group effort to replace some of his production," Coyle said. "But we have more guys that are going to be ready to play than we had a year ago."
Who can fill the void? Coyle thinks that they will have a few options as the Bulldogs look to build on a season in which they allowed just 19.4 points per game, ranking second in the Mountain West Conference and 14th in the nation.
"Isaiah Johnson is pass rushing better than he was last season, " Coyle said. "Devo Bridges is a swing guy for us. He will be on the outside rushing the passer as well as on the inside. In drill work and in one-on-one's Devo is an impressive pass rusher. Some of the younger guys have also stepped up. Kemari Munier-Bailey is impressive on the outside. Sione Noa will also be an edge guy. We have depth. We will be able to switch out groups and we won't lose anything from the ability standpoint."