A Look at the Lumberjack Defensive Line

[ALEX LIFESON]

A Look at the 2009 Lumberjack Defensive Line
'Jacks return three starters, including All-American Tim Knicky, up front


Aug. 31, 2009


NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack defensive line should be an exciting position to watch this season. Although they return a good deal of experience from last season, including preseason All-America selection Tim Knicky, they have also added quite a bit of talent via the junior college ranks. Along with the transfers, SFA head coach J.C. Harper has also added two assistant coaches to work with the line. Kurt Corbin takes over this season to work with the defensive tackles, while Erik Slaughter will work with the ends.

The Lumberjacks are fortunate to be returning one of the nation's most exciting players in senior defensive end Tim Knicky. A 6-4, 235-pound product from Cedar Park, Texas, Knicky is coming off a season that saw him finish fifth on the team with 74 tackles, and finish among the nation's top 10 in tackles for losses and sacks. His numbers on the field helped him earn 2008 third-team All-America honors according to AP, and Sports Network Honorable Mention All-America honors.

"I admire Tim for what he has been able to accomplish," said Slaughter. "He hasn't had anything handed to him, Tim has had to earn everything he's got. He came to SFA as a walk-on, earned a starting role and is now one of the top players in the nation. He has a burning desire to be the very best. Coaching guys like that is very easy.

"Tim has a motor that won't quit. He plays harder than anyone I've ever been around. He is a true student of the game, and spends every play trying to get better. He is a fourth-year starter who wants to know how to get better. Most guys who get to that level either don't work as hard, or don't think they have anything else to learn, but that is not Tim. He is always trying to better himself," added Slaughter.

Knicky continued to receive national praise throughout the offseason being named to three preseason All-America teams. Even with all the attention, Knicky was considered one of the most underrated players in the country when he was named to the 2009 Consensus Draft Services All-Underappreciated Team.

Along with the praise that is so easily doled out to Knicky, Slaughter is quick to remind fans that Knicky isn't the only weapon in the arsenal.

"Tim has served as an anchor for our defense," said Slaughter. "But Andre (Hicks), and Rainey Sternes for that matter, have done a very good job in their roles as well. These guys make it easy for me to coach. They are veteran guys who know the defense and understand what we are trying to do."

While Knicky will terrorize opposing defensive coordinators on one end, the 'Jacks will turn to Hicks (6-2, 245 lbs.) to be a weapon on the opposite end. Hicks has started 16 games in the last two seasons, and enters his final year with 88 career tackles, including 17 tackles for losses, and 4.5 sacks.

"Andre has a lot of the same attributes that Tim does, in terms of wanting to get better," said Slaughter. "He understands what it is going to take to be successful on Saturdays. Some might say that Andre may get lost in the shuffle because he plays opposite such a great player, but this is a team game. The things Andre does on one side helps Tim be a better player."

The Lumberjacks added 6-3, 245-pound Jacob Fincher from Trinity Valley Community College during the offseason. Fincher helped TVCC become one of the top defensive units at the junior college level last season. TVCC finished 14th in the nation in total defense, and among the top 10 in pass defense.

"Jacob is an explosive player," said Slaughter. "Right now we have him on the same side as Andre. He should see a lot of playing time over there. The best way to describe Jacob is he's just nasty. He plays every down with the intensity that we need defensively. I really think he adds a dimension to the defense that we didn't have last season."

Sternes (6-3, 235) is entering his junior campaign with the Lumberjacks, and is currently listed second on the depth chart behind Knicky. Sternes played in all 12 games last season earning one start. He finished the year with 30 tackles, and was credited with a sack.

"Rainey is a guy that has a lot of ability, but we have to channel that into consistency on the field. If we can do that he will see more playing time. We need him to become that kind of player."

Greg Carlson is another player who could see some time at defense end. A 6-3, 250-pound athlete who transferred from Baylor a couple of years ago, Carlson has a lot of ability but has been slowed by injuries during fall camp.

The Lumberjacks don't have a lot of overwhelming size, in terms of height, at defensive tackle, but the talent does exist for SFA to be successful. Juniors Kenneth Charles and Sean Warren are currently listed as the starters, and they will be backed up by Weekendfer Saurit (6-0, 280 lbs.), Efrain Sanchez (5-11, 245 lbs.) and Gordon Booker (6-0, 290 lbs.).

A former walk-on, Charles has battled his way into the starting lineup. He has started 15 games during his two years on campus, and enters the 2009 season with 64 total tackles, including 6.5 for losses.

"Kenneth may be our best looking lineman at 6-3, 273-pounds," said Corbin. "He has really improved from the spring. We have focused on his footwork and he is doing a really good job firing off the ball and striking."

Alongside Charles, the 'Jacks will turn to Warren who was a highly touted transfer from Blinn Junior College. Ranked as one of the top 100 junior college players in the nation by Rivals.com, Warren helped guide Blinn to the top-ranked defense in the nation last year.

"Sean is hard-nose player," said Corbin. "The game is very important to him and you can always find him in the film room breaking down tape. He will continue to fight you throughout the game. We just need him to be more consistent."

Warren was ranked as the eight-best interior defensive lineman by Rivals.com last season and finished the year with 28 tackles, including 5.5 for losses.

Sanchez is one of the hardest-working guys on the team. One of the first guys on the field, and last off, Sanchez has battled his way into playing time. Sanchez is currently listed second on the depth chart behind Warren.

Charles will be backed up Saurit who played in 11 games last season, earning one start. Saurit finished the year with 17 tackles, including three for losses. Another athlete who will see plenty of time this season is Booker. A former offensive lineman, Booker made the switch to the defensive side of the ball when defensive coordinator David Gibbs joined the Lumberjack coaching staff.

"Gordon is a physical player who likes to mix it up," said Corbin. "He originally came here as an offensive lineman, but made the switch to defense last season. He worked his way into the lineup last season and played a significant role. I look for him to do the same this season."

-SFA-

[PonyKai]

Seem to be noticing a pattern of overly-positive self reporting. Not that we aren't guilty of that or anything.