Navy Outlook '07: Defensive Line

Projected Starting Left End: Casey Herbert (one sack in '06)

Projected Starting Nose Gaurd: Nate Frazier (6'3, 295)

Projected Starting Right End: Chris Kahur-Pitters (6'2, 252)

Will Compete For Time: NG Andy Lark, DE Ryan Griffith (6'2, 260), NG Derek Rothchild (6'3, 256)

Rest of the Pack (AKA need to assert themselves): Artie Pauls (6'1, 233), Tyler Wagner (6'3, 233), Jordan Stephens (6'4, 255), John Maddox (6'4, 244), Andrew Burger (6'3, 230), Kyle Bookhout (6'2, 237), Bayard Roberts (6'2, 210), Mike McClarin (6'3, 230), Penetekoso Peau (6'1, 276), Michael Walsh (6'2, 234)

2006 Review: Despite being one of the smallest defensive lines in all of major college football, Navy's defensive line played better the expected in 2006. Led by seniors John Chan (63 tkls, 7 sacks), Tye Adams (45 tkls, 4 sacks), and David Wright (34 tkls, 1 sack), the Midshipmen defensive line helped lead a defense that was ranked a respectable 41st against the run in the country. While the unit struggled establishing a pass rush against the better teams on the schedule, they did nevertheless cause havoc to the likes of Temple and Duke by establishing penetration and blowing up plays. All three starters depart after this season, as well as backups Andrew Tatersall (4 sacks in '05) and Rick Amos (2 sacks.)

2007 Preview: Replacing Adams, Wright, and Chan will not be easy, while the vacancies at the defensive line positions are arguably the most pressing going into next season. I've listed Herbert and Kahur-Pitters as projected starting defensive ends, although both need to have good springs to prove they can hold down the starting jobs. In a recent article in the Capital, Johnson said Herbert has "as much ability as anyone on the team" but just needs an "attitude adjustment." At 6'1, 246 he isn't huge, but the guy has a good motor and is remarkably strong. Both he and Kahur-Pitters are seniors and by nature will have the most time under their belts, not to mention the most time between the rigors of plebe summer and the beginning of the 2007 season.

Current freshman Nate Frazier will likely get the most looks at nose guard this spring, seeing as though he's currently third on the depth chart. While he will only be a sophomore he will nevertheless be coming into the year three years removed from high school and has been described as a "man amongst boys" and a "physical specimen." Frazier is listed at 6'3, 295 although I've heard conflicting accounts describing his weight as much lower after plebe summer. Whatever the case may be, Frazier has the potential to be an absolute terror on the defensive line over the next few years.

Andy Lark was arguably the crown jewel of the 2006 recruiting class and with the vacancies on the defensive line should get some serious looks at both nose guard and defensive end this spring. Lark missed almost all of the season with a leg injury, although he did dress for the Army-Navy game. At 6'0, 275 lbs the guy is a tank who benched 480 lbs and squatted 640 lbs as a junior in high school. He's got great quickness for his size and if he can come back healthy next season, should be able to work his way into the rotation on a regular basis. If both he and Lark can play as well as advertised, there is no reason this unit can't be at least as good as the the '06 unit.

There is likely to be a good deal of movement between linebackers and defensive linemen in the offseason, with a lot of experimenting with different players at different positions. I think we'll see Bayard Roberts (6'2, 210) move to the linebacker position, especially considering his speed, while Zach Weatherington (6'4, 235) may be a candidate to move down to end. There are a decent number of current defensive linemen (especially from this year's freshmen class) who have really yet to assert themselves and make their presence felt. Perhaps just as intriguing of a question is whether or not any of these players can make a run into a position where they could compete for a starting job.

There is a lot of potential here but almost no experience to speak of. Going into the off-season, this is the unit to watch the closest. We've all been hearing about Nate Frazier and Andy Lark for the past year, but aside from seeing Frazier at the end of some blowouts, we've really yet to see what these guys are made of in game situations (although they both had good camps). While Lark and Frazier will certainly have the opportunity to secure a starting job, it would be a mistake to rule out some of the "unknowns" behind them. While there is the talent to to replace last year's unit, I expect somewhat of a drop-off in terms of production from the three down linemen, all of whom will be making their first starts against Temple. I would like nothing better then to be proven wrong on this assessment.