BEAUMONT, Texas – Over the course of the next couple weeks we will be breaking down the 2019 Lamar University football team, position-by-position, leading into the season opener against Bethel (TN) University Thursday, Aug. 29 at Provost Umphrey Stadium.
 
Today LamarCardinals.com will look at the LU defensive line.
 
Quick Facts:

Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 7/1
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/1
Newcomers: 8
Top Returner: Abel Daily – While senior Daniel Crosley is a returning All-Southland Conference selection, Daily has continued his strong play from the stretch run last season through the spring into the start of preseason camp. The College Station native provided an element of stability for the Red and White last season during an early rash of injuries. Despite starting just three games, Daily finished ranked among the team leaders with 31 total tackles, including five for losses with four sacks. He also ended the year with three quarterback hurries and two pass breakups.  
Stats: We want to focus on sacks and tackles for losses here, not that those are the only two stats impacted by defensive line, but just the focus for the moment. The Cardinals ended the 2018 season with 72 tackles for losses, with 26 of those being sacks. Big Red improved in both areas from the 2017 season. Those numbers placed LU in the middle of the Southland pack, tied for fifth.
Noteworthy: The defensive line should be an area of strength for the Cardinals in 2019. The Cardinals return only four starters on the defensive side of the ball but three of those are on the line. Led by Crosley, the Cardinals also return senior James Jeffrey and junior Reggie Boseman. The improved play up front was a huge reason for the Cardinal late-season win streak last year. Big Red's defense surrendered fewer than 19 points per game over the course of the team's final seven games.
 
The Storyline
First and foremost, the defense will be looking for leadership from its front four. With so few starters returning, the Cards' veteran line will have to lead the way especially early on with three starters back. The trio of Crosley (6-1, 245, Sr., DE), Boseman (6-2, 265, Jr., DT) and Jeffrey (6-3, 287, Sr., DT) provide LU with a strong nucleus of talent and experience, but those aren't the only names from which third-year defensive line coach Todd Ivicic can rely on.
 
As mentioned earlier, Daily (6-0, 223, So., DE) is currently locked in a battle with Crosley for the starting job. Crosley, a returning All-Southland selection last season and a preseason all-conference pick to open 2019, posted 58 stops with 16 for losses, nine sacks and six quarterback hurries but finds himself locked in a battle early on for the starting nod. Junior Cameron Houston is trying to lockdown the other starting spot on the edge. A former walk-on, who is now on scholarship has continued to impress since his arrival – both on the field and in the weight room.
 
Jeffrey lost some weight over the summer but added muscle mass and has high expectations for his final season in a Cardinals' uniform. While Boseman (35 tackles and 2.5 TFLs) is also a returning starter, he is currently locked in a battle at right tackle with senior Darien Wilson (6-0, 315, Sr.). Wilson ended his first season in a red and white uniform with 24 tackles, including four for losses and three sacks.
 
The Cardinals have added eight new players to the defensive front through recruiting. The incoming talent will provide depth at the position, while some will be targeted for a redshirt in 2019. All of that will get settled through the coming weeks of preseason camp. One newcomer who is really making a push for playing time on the edge is Davion May (6-2, 220, Jr.). Originally from the backyard of another Southland school – Hammond, La. – May comes to the Golden Triangle after two seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.