Troy University Athletics
Troy Football Breakdown – Defensive Line
8/30/2022 10:46:00 AM | Football
Led by three-year starter Will Choloh, Troy's defensive line is the group that gets it all started for the Trojan defense. Filled with depth and guys who can play multiple positions, the defensive line should be a catalyst for what hopes to be a dominant Trojan defense."
They Said It – Assistant Coach Eric McDaniel
"I think I've got a good group overall. They've come together, and we've been trying to develop a new mindset overall as a group, realizing they can be dominant and make plays. We still have some ways to go in terms of the whole standard, but we've got a good cohesive group that we can rotate."
Players to Watch
Troy has one of the most experienced defensive linemen in the Sun Belt anchoring its interior with All-Sun Belt tackle Will Choloh back for his fifth year. With 35 career starts and 47 career games played, Choloh provides the Trojans with veteran leadership. He enters 2020 with 146 career tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks.
Joining Choloh in the middle of the defensive front will be Buddha Jones, Shakel Brown and Luis Medina. Jones transferred to Troy in the summer before the 2021 season and played a key backup role last year while battling injury. Medina split time as a starter at nose last season and is a powerful force with a 620-pound squat and 700-pound dead lift.
"I don't think Buddha knows how good he can be," McDaniel said. "Once he taps in on that, because he's naturally strong and quick, he will be a very good player. We're still working and teaching some of the technique pieces with him and working on being more consistent. As the season goes along and he puts it all together, he can be one of the best players in the league at the position."
Back for his fifth year, Antonio Showers will be Troy's primary option at defensive end, and he will be flanked by redshirt-freshman T.J. Jackson, who slides from an interior position to end this season.
There is no lack of depth at the three line positions as the Trojans will also lean on Devon Reaves, Jamarcus Chatman and A.J. Pierce to provide valuable playing time.
"It gives me confidence looking at our depth," McDaniel said. "When cramps happen because it's hot in the first game of the year and as guys wear down and get tired, we can roll in fresh bodies in different spots. With guys able to play multiple spots, I can turn to different guys as the game goes on and get different people out there to make different things happen."
Position Notes
• Will Choloh and Luis Medina are both Georgia high school state champion wrestlers. Choloh won state titles as a sophomore and junior for Archer High School, while Medina won the 285-pound weight class his junior and senior years at Chattooga High School.
• In 2020, Will Choloh ranked third nationally among interior defensive linemen with a 90.3 pass rushing grade from Pro Football Focus, while his 31 pressures were the fourth most nationally.
• Antonio Showers enters 2022 with 37 career games played under his belt with 10.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.
Parting Shot
"Technique," McDaniel said about his unit's strength. "I don't have to have the biggest guys; you don't have to be 6-foot-5 and 340 pounds; I want guys who can move, are strong at the point of attack and have some dog in them. At the end of the day, if you're humongous and have all the measurables, but you can't move, run, and chase the ball, it can get you beat."
Players Mentioned
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