TOLEDO, Ohio – With three returning starters and several others with significant playing time, Toledo's defensive line is poised to play a key role for a Rocket defensive that welcomes a new defensive coordinator and two new co-defensive coordinators in 2020.
Vince Kehres will serve as Toledo's defensive coordinator while Craig Kuligowski and Ross Watson will act as co-defensive coordinators. Watson was the Rockets' safeties coach for four seasons prior to his promotion.
"I've been excited for those guys to join us," head coach Jason Candle said. "They have been really good with our players, and it's been fun watching them work together. It's always fun to have a new perspective on things. It's stimulated a lot of growth in a lot of areas, it's helped me out, it's helped our guys out, and I think it has really helped our football program as a whole."
Leading the way among eight letterwinners on the defensive line is junior defensive end Jamal Hines. Hines, a 6-3, 250-pound junior, has compiled 101 tackles and 17.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons.
Hines is joined at defensive end by senior Nate Givhan (seven starts, 39 tackles, 3.5 TFL in 2019) and junior and Terrance Taylor (5 starts, 26 tackles, 5.5 TFL). Redshirt freshman D'Andre Ragin and sophomore Adrian Woliver provide depth at the position as well.
"Those guys have done well, I like the depth there," Candle said. "They've all had chances to play in games here and earn valuable experience. The growth from last year to this year has been really solid."
Inside at defensive tackle the Rockets have sophomore Devan Rogers (29 tackles, 1.5 TFL) and junior Desjuan Johnson (32 tackles, 7.0 TFL as a defensive end in 2019). Senior David Hood and junior Devonte' Dunn will provide veteran experience, while freshmen Darius Alexander and Cavon Butler should see time as well. Alexander redshirted last year as an offensive lineman, but transitioned to the other side of the ball for this season. Butler, a Toledo native and graduate of Whitmer High School, transferred in from Kentucky and is eligible to play this season.
