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Every coaching staff in the country has to figure out how to replace departed players every season. For new SMU defensive line coaches Brett Diersen and Randall Joyner, that replacement is no small task, as they must figure out how to replace 2017 seniors Justin Lawler, Dimarya Mixon, Mason Gentry, J.T. Williams and Nick Horton. The quintet brought extensive experience to the defense, but also production: their departure means the absence of 67 percent of the tackles made by defensive linemen a year ago, and 61 percent of the defensive line's quarterback sacks.

The Mustangs hope a combination of returning experience, transfers and youth will pick up the slack. CLICK HEREto find out who's in the mix, and Diersen's thoughts about coaching a relatively young line.

With a new scheme, SMU could do much better that the last few years. Still would like more size in the middle. I'll never change on that. Need 4 man rotation of 295 to 320 guys for DT's. Have to win the line.

Go Mustangs.

Yup. Neals has decent size and Scott had great size outside, but I'd like to see more of an anchor inside -- although Gary and Pono are pretty good. A couple of the freshmen look like they might get pretty big.

Will be interesting to see if Westerfield and Hall step right in and contribute significantly

Gonna go with no on at least one of those

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I'll be interested to see how much bigger they are than last year.