The 2016 Fordham Defensive Line

Defensive Line Photo Gallery | Practice Photo Gallery
 
Bronx, N.Y. – The Fordham University football Rams are over halfway through their 2016 fall camp and so we'll continue our position-by-position breakdown by moving over to the defensive side of the ball and take a peek at the defensive line.
 
The defensive line was one of the reasons that the 2015 Fordham defense was so successful, leading the Patriot League and ranking tenth in the NCAA FCS in both turnovers gained (29) and fumbles recovered (13) and the good news is that Fordham returns all three starters.
 
The returners are led by seniors Manny Adeyeye, Justin Vaughn and Brandon Weir. Last year Adeyeye started eight games at nose tackle, recording 33 total tackles, 14 solo, including 6.0 for loss and 1.5 sacks. He also had a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and one quarterback hurry. Vaughn started all 12 games at left tackle for the Rams, recording 18 total tackles, eight solo, including four for loss and 2.5 sacks, while Weir started eight contests at defensive end, making 13 total tackles, eight solo, including four for loss and two sacks. He also had one pass breakup, one quarterback hurry, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
 
Other experienced returners on the defensive line include juniors Tony Fox, who recorded 13 total tackles, seven solo, including 0.5 for loss in 2015; Nick Angeli, who appeared in eight games, both on the defensive line and on special teams last year, recording six total tackles, two solo; Ty Green, who notched seven tackles, five solo, including 2.5 for loss and one sack in nine games last year, Jonathan Dimon, who saw action in ten games last year; and John O'Boyle.
 
Sophomores returning to the defensive line include Kevin Coyne, who saw action in two games as a freshman, JM Nocket and Erik Rottsolk, who appeared in two games as a freshman, notching one quarterback hurry.
 
Newcomers to the include Johnny Piccinich, a Second Team All-State selection in 2015 at Old Tappan High School in New Jersey,  Michael Ware, a 2015 First Team All-Allegheny Conference selection at Shady Side High School in Pittsburgh, and Matt D'Andrea.
 
Notes
 
Defensive coordinator Jon Wholley celebrated his birthday on Thursday.
 
The Rams have two more two-a-days, one on Saturday and one next Tuesday.
 
Fordham will have its second scrimmage of camp on Sunday at 1:45 pm on Jack Coffey Field.