Latest news with #defensiveLine
Washington Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
‘We got some big ol' boys': Why the Commanders' defensive line bulked up
It's not just Jayden Daniels. The Washington Commanders have made size an emphasis across the roster, most notably with their defensive line. After losing longtime tackle Jonathan Allen and last season's sack leader, Dante Fowler Jr., in free agency, the Commanders bulked up and signed defensive tackles Javon Kinlaw and Eddie Goldman, and defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr., a trio that combined weighs close to half a ton and averages 6 feet 4.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Georgia offers elite DL recruit T-Ron Richardson
The Georgia Bulldogs are one of the latest schools to offer a scholarship to elite class of 2026 defensive line recruit T-Ron Richardson. Georgia, South Carolina, Florida and Penn State are among the recent schools to offer Richardson, who is a hot prospect on the recruiting trail, over the past couple of weeks. Richardson is ranked as a three-star recruit. He plays high school football for Hopewell High School in Hopewell, Virginia. Hopewell is located south of Richmond. The 6-foot-5, 280-pound defensive lineman also competes in track and field for Hopewell. Advertisement 247Sports ranks Richardson as the No. 105 defensive lineman in the country and the No. 24 recruit in Virginia. Based on all of the recent interest in Richardson, his recruiting ranking is bound to rise. "I am extremely blessed to receive a scholarship from The University Of Georgia!!" said Richardson via social media after earning a scholarship offer from Georgia. Both Virginia and Virginia Tech also offered the in-state defensive end. Richardson plans to take official visits with both Virginia and Virginia Tech in June. Coach Kirby Smart and Georgia are always looking for top defensive line talent. Georgia has nine commitments in the class of 2026, but just one along the defensive front in three-star Seven Cloud, who is the top-ranked junior college prospect in the nation. This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: UGA football offers 3-star defensive line recruit T-Ron Richardson
New York Times
10-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
The future of the Steelers' D-line begins to take shape at rookie minicamp
PITTSBURGH — On Thursday afternoon, Steelers first-round pick Derrick Harmon entered the team facility on Pittsburgh's Southside to find his new locker. Whether it was an intentional decision or pure coincidence, the new defensive tackle was assigned a spot right next to starting nose tackle Keeanu Benton and just a few places away from veteran defensive tackle Cameron Heyward. Advertisement That position in the locker room is an appropriate visual for the place Harmon holds in the Steelers' plans. For a team that wants to win football games by dominating in the trenches, upgrading along the defensive line was a major priority this offseason. The Steelers double-dipped on defensive linemen on draft weekend, selecting Harmon in the first round and Iowa defensive lineman Yahya Black in the fifth. In the short term, Harmon should step into a role similar to where he is in the locker room: on Benton's left in the base defense. Years down the line, when Heyward eventually retires, Harmon will be counted on to be part of the youth movement that helps lessen the blow. '(Benton and I) have been talking since I got here,' Harmon said. 'He's a nice teammate to have. He came from the Big Ten like me, so we know how ball is.' The evolution of the defensive line took its first steps when Harmon and the rest of his draft class participated in the first day of rookie minicamp Friday. When the Steelers drafted Harmon, coach Mike Tomlin said that the defensive lineman has 'Steelers DNA.' After his first taste of Steelers football, Harmon agrees. Mike Tomlin said after Derrick Harmon was drafted that he has 'Steelers DNA.' Harmon on why he's a fit: 'You've got to have some grit to be in this organization. You've got to have an edge to you and you've got to play with a little bit of pride to you. I feel like that's me.' — Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) May 9, 2025 'You've got to have some grit to be in this organization,' Harmon said. 'You've got to have an edge to you and you've got to play with a little bit of pride to you. I feel like that's me.' With former starting defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi gone, there's a high probability that Harmon immediately steps into a starting role from Day 1. The Steelers will count on his diverse skillset and first-round pedigree to make an impact on all phases of the defense. Advertisement Against the run last year, the Steelers were actually one of the better teams. Over the entire 17-game slate, they allowed the fifth-fewest yards per carry (4.1) and the sixth-fewest rushing yards overall (98.7 per game). However, down the stretch and against quality rushing offenses, the results weren't nearly as impressive. In three of the final five games, the Steelers allowed 100 rushing yards or more, including 131 yards to the Eagles and 220 yards to the Ravens in back-to-back games. Baltimore also racked up nearly 300 rushing yards in the Steelers' one-and-done playoff appearance. Considering Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson aren't going anywhere (and Heyward might be in a couple of years), the Steelers needed to think about the future of their defensive front. At the same time, it's not all about stopping the run. From 2017 to 2021, a span of five seasons, the Steelers led the league or were tied for the league lead in sacks. However, over Teryl Austin's three-year tenure as defensive coordinator, blitzing has declined as the Steelers have often relied on four rushers to create pressure on passing situations. Partially as a result, a team that was once the standard for getting to the quarterback is now closer to league average, finishing 14th in 2022 (40 sacks), 11th in 2023 (47 sacks) and 16th last year (40). If the Steelers again want to limit their blitzing, they'll be counting upon Harmon to provide a push upfield. After leading FBS interior defensive linemen with 55 pressures last season, the rookie should be well-equipped to contribute in that area. His familiarity with four-man fronts at Michigan State and odd fronts at Oregon also helps the transition process and provides evidence that he can be a factor on run or pass downs and in different personnel packages. Advertisement 'Coming from Oregon, they throw everything at us,' Harmon said. 'I was in the NFL at Oregon. I feel like I'm right there. They prepare us very well for this.' As an added benefit, the Steelers also plan to play Harmon alongside T.J. Watt, which could help create more opportunities for the perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate. '(I'm looking to) just to help my team out,' Harmon said. 'Just to get to work with my team. Be a good rookie and find that vet to get under his wing and learn this game, because it's a whole different game than college.' As Harmon takes his first steps into the NFL, he's doing so with a heavy heart. While Harmon was hearing his name called during the draft, his mother, Tiffany Saine, was on life support. Harmon rushed to the hospital to tell his mother the good news. Unfortunately, that was their final conversation, as she passed shortly after. Steelers first-round pick Derrick Harmon on dealing with the loss of his mother as he begins to live out his NFL dream: 'I'm doing the best I can.' — Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) May 9, 2025 'I'm doing the best I can right now,' Harmon said. 'I'm in football now. I'm in my element. I got my mind off a few things, but I'm OK.' The emotional high of fulfilling a lifelong dream and the weight of the loss create a challenging moment for a young player with promise. 'I'm still dealing with it,' Harmon said. 'I don't know. I'm just putting one foot in front of the other really.' (Top photo of Derrick Harmon: Brooke Sutton / Getty Images)
