Purchase Tickets | Join the Rams in Pregame Reception at Coastal Carolina

Bronx, N.Y. – With the 2026 Fordham Football camp in full swing we continue the position-by-position breakdown of the 2026 roster as we move over to the defensive side of the ball with a look at the defensive line.
 
The Rams lost all four starters from 2025 but return multiple players who saw extensive action last year led by grad student Colby Spencer, a 2026 team captain who appeared in eleven games as senior, starting three at nose tackle, making 23 total tackles, seven solo, including 1.5 for loss.
 
Also back with experience are junior Carter Hess, who played in all 12 games as a sophomore, starting three at nose tackle and recording 27 total tackles, 14 solo, including 4.5 for loss and one sack, and junior Cole Nelson, who saw action in eight games as a sophomore, making two starts and recording five total tackles.
 
Other returnees include sophomore Tyler Davis, who appeared in ten games as a freshman, recording eight total tackles, four solo, including one for loss, sophomore Lorenzo Riddick, who appeared in four games as a freshman, making a pair of tackles, senior Kevin Nizolek, was saw limited action last year, junior Owen Theoharides, who saw action in one game last year, junior Mardale Rowe, who appeared in one game as a sophomore, and sophomore James Dunnemann II, who did not see action last year.
 
The 2026 defensive line will be bolstered by a group of newcomers including junior Jakub Mwangelwa, a transfer from the College of DuPage when he won a national championship last year, junior Tiu Afalava, a transfer from San Diego State, and junior Jovan George, a transfer from Holy Cross.
 
Freshmen on the 2026 defensive line include Ezekiel Jackson, a former Calgary down lineman of the year who played at Williston Northampton last year, Nathan Jean-Philipe, a standout defensive lineman at Brockton High school, Brian Oliver, a NEPSAC Class A Group One All-League selection at the Taft School last fall, Harold Kang, a product of Bergen Catholic High School, and Tab Butler, an All-Region selection at Norcross Wesleyan School in Georgia.
 
The Rams open the 2026 season on Friday night, August 28, as they open Patriot League play by hosting the Colgate University Raiders at Moglia Stadium at 6:00 p.m. Season and individual game tickets are now on sale on the Fordham Ticket website.