Bronx, N.Y. – As we continue to breakdown the 2023 Fordham Rams we move to the defensive side of the ball with a look at the defensive line.
The Rams return three of the four starters from 2022, led by graduate student captain Alfonzo Dixon, seniors
Eli Armstrong and
Richard Hofus, along with sophomore
Matt Jaworski, who missed part of the season with an injury.
Dixon started all 12 games, recording 29 total tackles, elevens solo, including 8.0 for loss and 2.5 sacks. He was third on team in tackles for loss. Armstrong appeared in eleven games on the defensive line last fall, starting seven. He recorded 15 total tackles, five solo, including 3.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks. Hofus also played in all 12 games in 2022 for the Rams, starting seven, and made 26 total tackles, seven solo, including 1.5 for loss. Jaworski, a preseason All-Patriot League pick, saw action in eight games as a sophomore, starting five on the defensive line. He finished with 22 total tackles, 13 solo, including 5.5 for loss and a team-high 5.0 sacks.
Other experienced players returning to the defensive line include seniors
Jason Walker, who appeared in seven games last year making four total tackles and forcing a fumble, and
Ahmir Lyles, who did not see action as a junior, along with juniors
Jack Low, who appeared in all 12 games last year while making 18 total tackles, seven solo, including 2.0 for loss and 0.5 sacks, and
Tristan Wright, who saw action in four contests last year, making four stops.
The Fordham defensive line also returns seven sophomores including
Claudy Robinson,
Sam Buerkle,
Colby Spencer,
Michael Thorn,
Chris Tuck,
Peter Chalhoub, and
Ryan Zolnick.
Robinson appeared in ten games as a freshman, starting two , and making 12 total tackles, four solo, including 2.5 for loss and one sack, while Buerkle saw action in all 12 games as a rookie, making one start, and recorded 13 total tackles, three solo, including 4.0 for loss and 4.0 sacks. Spencer did not see action in 2022 while Thorn appeared in one game as a freshman. Tuck did not see action as a rookie last fall while Chalhoub appeared in eleven games as a freshman, recording eight tackles, four solo, including one sack, and Zolnick did not see action in 2022.
The Rams also welcome four newcomers to the defensive line: freshman
Aiden Jeter, a member of three Class 6-A State Championship teams at Bedford High School in Bedford, Georgia;
Kevin Nizolek, who earned First Team All-New England Honors last year at Avon Old Farms in Avon, Connecticut;
John Scott III, who led the State College Area High School to semifinals of the state championship last fall; and
Walker Hicks, who played high school football at Cambridge High school in Milton, Georgia.
