UNC's diverse defensive line continues to display growth

A true freshman who’s now focused just on football after also being a wrestler and shot-putter in high school. A redshirt freshman who sat out all of 2013. A redshirt sophomore who’s only lived in the United States for four years. And a father figure senior looking to put a rough past behind him.

The North Carolina football team’s defensive line is unique in every aspect of the word.

It features young, raw talent, unlike the lines of the past which have typically boasted NFL-ready players and veteran leadership.

After graduating senior defensive ends Tim Jackson and Kareem Martin, UNC defensive line coach Keith Gilmore had to restock the anchor of the team’s 4-2-5 scheme.

In UNC’s first two games of 2014, Gilmore used nine different lineman.

“This year, it’s a lot more balanced,” Gilmore said. “A lot more equal playing time. Everybody’s involved, and that lends to some good chemistry.”

Senior defensive tackle Ethan Farmer is the unquestionable leader of the group. He started in all 13 of UNC’s games in 2013, but faced academic ineligibility heading into the 2014 season. Just two days before the season opener against Liberty, the NCAA cleared Farmer to play.

 “Ethan’s been a great leader,” Gilmore said. “He’s been a guy who’s taken the bull by the horns and forced these young guys to step up and play to the level that they need to.”

Starting along with Farmer are junior defensive tackle Justin Thomason and defensive end Dajaun Drennon. As a redshirt freshman, Drennon won the starting job in the offseason over redshirt sophomore Junior Gnonkonde, who’s still developing his skills on the field after moving from Africa in 2010.

Drennon leads the defensive line with eight tackles and is the first freshman defensive lineman to start for UNC since Martin in 2010. Drennon said he’s benefited from the senior leadership of Farmer and was pushed by Gnonkonde, who plays behind him, to get better in training camp.

“The chemistry on the line is lovely. We’re all friends on and off the field,” Drennon said. “There’s no beef between starters and (backups).”

True freshman defensive lineman Tyler Powell has been a go-to option in the defense’s money package. As a wrestler in high school, Powell had to worry about cutting weight. He’s now focused on putting on the pounds, which he hopes will help him see more time on the field.

“(The Liberty) game was the most important for me, getting out there, getting on the field for the first time and getting the feel for the pace of the game,” Powell said. 

No matter how different the pieces might be, UNC’s defensive line thrives off the chemistry built in Gilmore’s fresh, committee approach.

“They all have a role,” Gilmore said.” I’ve tried to let them all have a role and they’ve contributed.” 

sports@dailytarheel.com