Furman’s defensive line has a sense of loss.

It lost a pair of All-Southern Conference performers, end Jack Barton and tackle Matt Sochovka, but the loss of Bryce Stanfield leaves lingering sorrow. Stansfield died suddenly in February.

Furman’s success the last couple of seasons, highlighted by 20 wins and a 2023 Southern Conference Championship, was fashioned in part by the outstanding play of Paladin defensive lines.

“Defensive line has been a strong suit of ours for a couple of years, and we return a solid corps of experience [that] we believe will combine well with some younger players,” said head coach Clay Hendrix. “We will continue to play a number of guys. That’s been a pretty good formula for us. We look at the group as a strength of our team.”

The Paladins return four lettermen at the three positions, including two players with starting experience, end Jeremiah Jackson (6-0, 265, R-Fr.) and nose  Xavier Stephens (6-3, 292, Sr.).

Jackson, a veteran of 32 games, started four contests in 2022 before injury ended his season.  He returned to the field last year and proved to be a major contributor, including two sacks in the Paladins’ 17-14, SoCon title-clinching road win over Chattanooga.

“Jeremiah has been a terrific player for us,” said Hendrix. “He’s a fifth-year senior who has been a starter and has played half the time with our heavy rotation. We really like him.”

Stephens, meanwhile, has developed into one of the SoCon’s top defensive linemen in his two seasons with the Paladins.  A recent preseason first team all-conference pick of the coaches, he started all 13 games in 2023 and logged 35 tackles, including three sacks.

“Xavier has been really solid and consistent, the type of player you want at the heart of your defense. The fact that other coaches have recognized him reflects his qualities,” Hendrix noted.

Among the top candidates in the mix at tackle are Malachi Harrison (6-1, 270, R-So.), who saw action in five games last fall, Caldwell Bussey (6-3, 283, R-Fr.), and Ty Kauserud (6-4, 277, Fr.).

“Malachi is entering his third year in the program and is an athletic defensive lineman who has waited his turn,” said Hendrix. “He 1had a good spring, so we’re looking to get him in there.

“Caldwell was more of a defensive end last year but this year will play inside, and Ty is a prep school (IMG Academy) guy who enrolled here in January.  He’s about 280 (pounds) now and had a good spring. We’re really excited about him.”

 Vying for playing time as backups at nose guard are Malakai Dudek (6-3, 277, R-So.) and Marc Hernández (6-4, 307, R-Fr.).

The Paladins suffered a setback at defensive end in the spring when David Alabi (6-2, 225, R-Fr.) sustained a knee injury that will sideline him for the 2024 season.

As preseason camp gets underway, the picture at end behind Jackson begins with Joshua Stoneking (6-3, 252, R-Fr.), who should see his first action following solid work in the spring. In addition, Furman will look to Quay Rush (6-0, 233, Jr.), who made the switch from bandit to end following spring ball.

Furman inked three defensive linemen — all out of high school — in this year’s class.  They include end Malaki Dobbins (6-3, 240, Fr.), tackle Demetrius Baldwin (6-1, 268, Fr.), and nose guard Bruce Knauber (6-1, 295, Fr.).

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