Over the course of this month leading up to the start of the 2023 South Alabama football season, we will preview all the positions groups on the Jaguar roster.

The nine-part series examines each position group ahead of the season opener versus Tulane at Yulman Stadium on Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. This installment looks at South Alabama's defensive line.

RETURNING STARTERS (3)
- Charles Coleman III (Sr., 6-3, 273)
- Jamie Sheriff (R-Sr., 6-2, 262)
- Wy'Kevious Thomas (R-Jr., 6-2, 308)

OTHER RETURNING PLAYERS (6)
- Jamall Hickbottom (Jr., 6-2, 305)
- Brock Higdon (R-Jr., 6-7, 263)
- Carlos Johnson Jr. (Jr., 6-0, 282)
- Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge (R-So., 6-6, 240)
- Ed Smith IV (So., 6-2, 290)
- Maurice Strong Jr. (Sr., 6-2, 294) 

NEWCOMERS (4)
- R.J. Moss Jr. (Fr., 6-4, 266)
- Jordan Norman (Fr., 6-3, 239)
- Devrey Smith (Jr., 6-1, 280)
- Toshi Yamamoto (Fr., 5-11, 220) 

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
- Thomas earned preseason second-team all-conference honors from the Sun Belt Coaches last month, and has also earned all-league recognition from four other publications this summer
- Coleman, Higdon and Sheriff have also been named preseason all-league by several different publications
- The 20.8 points per game allowed were the third-fewest given up by a Jaguar defense, while the defensive line also helped South allow just 1,206 rushing yards and 92.8 rushing yards per game – both the third fewest allowed in a season
- Sheriff's six sacks were tied with Alex Page (2012) for fifth-most in a season
- South Alabama held eight opponents below 100-yards rushing during the 2022 season, and was highlighted by a -19 rushing yards allowed performance in the road win at Arkansas State

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