One of the many open questions defensively entering the spring resided with the defensive line, a position group that lost multi-year starters Foley Fatukasi, Luke Carrezola and Cole Ormsby, as well as key contributors Cam Stapleton (d-end late) and Sheridan Lawley. For a unit that plays three across the front, that’s almost an entire 1st and 2nd team from the last two seasons. A year ago, Kevin Murphy, Phillipe Okounam, AJ Garson and Connor Freeborn all saw some time, with only Murphy a consistent backup throughout the year, as he has been for two seasons.

Murphy is the player with the most experience returning and it’s only natural for the redshirt junior to begin to realize his full potential. Hailing from West Chester, PA, even before stepping foot on campus, he possessed the traits of a leader. It’s not a surprise then, that ‘leader’ is the term being thrown around by teammates when talking about Murphy throughout the start of the spring.

“That’s an honor,” ‘Murph,’ as his teammates and coaches call him said on Tuesday following practice. “Any guy who gets respect from a team, that’s just a great honor to hear. I just go about my day and try to be as professional as I can; working, watching extra film, doing extra work on the field and just being out here trying to lead by example the best that I can.”

He also recognizes the talent and experience that is moving on from the program following graduation and relishes the time he had with the group. They left behind a work ethic and model for not just himself to learn from, but for the rest of the young guys as well.

“[We] definitely lost a lot of great players,” he said. “Cole [Ormsby], Luke [Carrezola], Cam [Stapleton] coming down at the end, Foley [Fatukasi], I think the great thing they did for us before they left is really instill a good work ethic in us and showed us the ropes. I was here with them for awhile, but especially the younger guys like Caleb [Thomas]. They did a good job leaving us where we can now be successful as they move on to bigger and better things. They did a great job helping us out with that.”

Playing the middle of a three-man front is sure to draw a lot of attention from opposing offensive lines, something Fatukasi was able to overcome over the last few seasons, a trait that ultimately will see his name called in next months’ NFL Draft. Murphy now has the opportunity to step into the limelight and earn the spot to replace a three-year starter. For those unaware of the role of a nose tackle and what Murphy is being asked to do, well, he has you covered.

“My role is to set the line of scrimmage up front and reset the line of scrimmage by knocking the center back,” he said. “Playing the A-gaps on either side and freeing up the linebackers so guys like [Ryan] Gilmartin and [Santana] Sterling can go make 100-tackles next year. That’s my job, to make those guys look good and just be a stalwart here with the defensive line.”

He also recognizes there’s a player behind him, Caleb Thomas, a redshirt freshman from Mansfield, TX, who’s talent is allowing him to push at his heels.

“Caleb is a great player,” he said. “Really strong, athletic and I think he is going to be able to help us out a lot. He’s a little young, but I think he’s made great strides even just through winter conditioning. He’s put in the extra work, has come out here and has gotten after it now that we’re at spring ball.”

While there is talent pushing behind him, Murphy is also working on ways to improve on his game. One area in particular? Pass rush.

“You can never be perfect, there are always little things that you can do to get better at, but I’d definitely say working on my pass rush a little more,” he responded when asked what he’s hoping to improve on during March and early April. “I want to work to be a little more productive with my hands and footwork. Just working on that will help me get better each and every day.”

COMFORT IN DEFENSIVE SYSTEM

Entering year two with defensive coordinator Billy Crocker, the unit has had a chance to digest what worked and didn’t a year ago. Film study has been helpful in knowing assignments and recognizing responsibilities. That understanding will only allow the group to play faster than a year ago, when there may have been some hesitation, particularly in the first half of the year.

“I think we’re just becoming more fluid,” Murphy said. “We have young guys in here who are learning the system, day-by-day and I think they are doing a great job. We are getting everybody up to speed now that we’re a year in, not having any hitches. Instead of worrying about where we’re going, we can just react, play football and make more plays.”

Helping along the line is defensive line coach Dennis Dottin-Carter.

“Coach Dott brings a lot of energy, passion, enthusiasm and he pushes us,” Murphy said. “It’s good to have a guy in here that really cares like that because I think he gets the most out of you and expects the most out of you. I think that’s the most important part. We have a saying on the d-line, ‘if you aren’t getting better, you’re getting worse.’ So if you come out here, lollygagging about, going through the motions, you aren’t staying the same, you’re getting worse. Coach Dott does a wonderful job of pushing us, helping us get better everyday to make sure we don’t give away practices.”

He also credits his head coach.

“Coach Edsall coming in, he’s done such a good job of giving us leadership and instilling confidence in us to go out and play hard,” he said. “Mistakes are going to happen out here, it’s spring ball and there are a lot of young guys out here playing. I think the one thing that the coaching staff has done a really great job of showing is stressing to go as hard as you can because you can make great things happen. Mistakes are going to happen, but if you bust your butt every play, good things can happen if you’re going the right way.”

EDSALL’S TAKE ON THE D-LINE

Head coach Randy Edsall also had a few things to say about the effort and progress across the line this spring.

“You’re starting to see it a little bit,” Edsall said. “I see Murph doing some things and Caleb Thomas is a strong kid. Phil [Okounam] is getting a little bit better, but still needs to work on fundamentals, technique and pushing himself. We need to get Connor [Freeborn] to be a bit more consistent play-in and play-out. Carlton [Steer] is giving great effort up front. I wish James [Atkins] was out here, he’s a bit banged up, but they’re working and they’re communicating.”

Edsall mentioned Steer and he’s another player who has stood out in the spring from a physical standpoint. If he can put together some consistency with fundamentals, he’s going to be pushing for time as well.

“I think he is a real, strong, twitchy guy,” Murphy said of Steer. “I think he can help us out a lot on the d-line. He’s a hard worker, did a really good job in winter conditioning and I definitely think he can help us out this year.”

MATT SCHONVISKY / SITE CREATOR