NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee State defensive line brings back seven players who saw time in 2015. The unit looks to take a step forward despite being the only group, along with special teams, without a senior.
The defensive front is led by All-OVC Preseason pick, Ebenezer (Ebo) Ogundeko. The redshirt-junior was the lone All-OVC First Team selection in 2015. Edwards finished with 52 tackles, 10 for loss, five sacks, three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.
The Tigers were tagged with a setback as they lost returning senior Rodney Edwards before the season and will redshirt in 2016. Edwards collected 41 tackles, recovered two fumbles, garnered two sacks, QB hurry and a pass deflection.
Latrell Lee proved to be a nice addition opposite of Ogundeko, as he recorded four and a half sacks, 29 tackles and two forced fumbles. Marvin Maddox and Dell Porter will also provide depth on the outside along with transfer Sidney Hammond.
Roc-M Nesbitt and Jason Morrow will replace Edwards in the middle and will receive added help from true freshman Michael Perry, transfer Jerquez Hughey and redshirts Kevin DeWalt and Quintis Maddox.
| Defensive Line | Ht. | Wt. | Yr. | Games Played | Tackles | Sacks |
| Ebenezer Ogubdeko | 6-3 | 255 | R-Jr. | 9 | 52 | 5 |
| Roc-M Nesbitt | 6-3 | 255 | R-Jr. | 21 | 22 | 4 |
| Jason Morrow | 6-2 | 260 | R-Jr. | 15 | 15 | 1 |
| Sidney Hammond | 6-1 | 250 | R-Jr. | TR | ||
| Kevin Dewalt | 6-2 | 230 | R-Jr. | -- | ||
| Latrelle Lee | 6-2 | 240 | Jr. | 16 | 34 | 4.5 |
| Marvin Maddox | 6-3 | 245 | R-So. | 9 | 5 | 0 |
| Dell Porter | 6-1 | 250 | R-So. | 9 | 16 | 0 |
| Terrence Summers | 6-2 | 310 | R-So. | TR | ||
| Robert Crawford | 6-0 | 265 | R-Fr. | -- | ||
| Quintis Maddox | 6-3 | 260 | R-Fr. | -- | ||
| Andrew Cothen | 5-11 | 235 | R-Fr. | -- | ||
| Michael Perry III | 6-1 | 330 | Fr. | |||
| Justin Culpepper | 6-1 | 255 | Fr. | |||
| Jerquez Hughey | 6-4 | 275 | Fr. | |||
| Khalil Jones | 6-1 | 310 | Fr. |
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