Date: 8/22
Position: Defensive Line
Position Coach: Brian Turner

Returning Letterwinners (Key stats): DeMarion Harper (5 games played), Jesse Kelley (12 GP, 17-17—34 TT, 6½ TFL, 2 sacks), Jerome McClain (12 GP, 11-23—34 TT, 4½ TFL, 3 sacks)

Letterwinners lost (Key stats): Ceasare Johnson (9 GP, 2-4—6 TT, ½ TFL), Romelle Jones (12 GP, 19-23—42 TT, 13½ TFL, 7½ sacks), Byron Sneed (5 GP, 0-1—1 TT), Montavious Williams (12 GP, 9-20—29 TT, 4½ TFL, 4 sacks)

Newcomers (Yr., Previous school): Dondre Chanet (Jr., Hutchinson [Kan.] CC), Bryson Johnson (Jr., North Dakota State College of Science), Tre Alford (R-Fr., Hillcrest [Ala.] HS)

Miscellaneous Notes
-Shane Doty earned a letter as a member of the defensive line in 2013 but is slated to play on the offensive line this fall.
-Jesse Kelley was voted preseason second-team all-Sun Belt Conference in July, while Jerome McClain was a second- or third-team preseason all-league selection by three different publications.
-Kelley is one of two returning starters among the front seven defensively for the Jaguars this season, and the only one on the defensive line.
-McClain's older brother, Terrell, was a third-round selection of the Carolina Panthers in the 2011 and has played in 32 games for three teams the last three seasons; he's currently a member of the Dallas Cowboys.
-Both Dondre Chanet and Bryson Johnson were second-team all-conference selections at the junior-college level last fall after posting 33 and 59 total stops, respectively.
-Romelle Jones tied for second in the Sun Belt in sacks and tied for third in tackles for loss per contest in 2013 on his way to earning first-team all-league honors.
-Montavious Williams also was among the top 10 in the conference in sacks per game last season.

Brian Turner
-On his expectations for the position this season: "They are very high.  We've got three returning players who have played a bunch and been in a lot of wars, I expect big things out of those guys.  We're trying to develop some depth with the younger players, we've got some guys who are coming on that can help us in games substituting for those experienced individuals when the time is needed."
-On the leadership role that Jesse Kelley has taken on: "Jesse has accepted the role, he is always trying to rally the troops and keep everybody's spirits high.  He's a high-energy player, and he is trying to get everybody to follow his lead."
-On how important the way Jerome McClain finished the 2013 season is to his moving into a starting role: "Basically you could consider Jerome a starter last year, he and Romelle [Jones] rotated every series.  He came on toward the end of the year, and it really provided us with a lot of depth.  He has embraced that starting role, he's turned it on and done a tremendous job during fall camp."

Jesse Kelley
-On his expectations for USA's defensive tackles this year: "I expect a lot; even though we've lost a lot it's not an excuse.  We've got to stop the run and pressure the quarterback in passing situations.  I expect big things from us this year."
-On how he has taken on a leadership role: "I know I wasn't as vocal in the past, but now being the old hat I have to be more vocal and give my guys direction, tell them how to take the right step and shoot their hands in the right way."
-On how good he thinks the group can be by the end of the season: "We have some good talent, I think we're going to make opposing quarterbacks and offensive lines very miserable this year."

Jerome McClain
-On the strength of USA's interior on the defensive line: "I think we come off the ball well and strike up front.  We've gotten better at reading our keys and in our technique.  We're just coming out here prepared to attack."
-On his expectations for the position group: "Coach has stressed to us that we need to build a wall, stop the run and force opposing teams into passing situations.  Once we get them where we want them, we can tee off."
-On how his experience at the end of last year will help this season: "I'm just preparing for my senior year, I want to come out here and show everything I've got to contribute to the team."

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