GREENVILLE, S.C. -- When asked recently to assess his squad's defensive line prospects for the upcoming 2021 season, head coach Clay Hendrix couldn't hide both his curiosity and optimism.

"This (defensive line) might be the most intriguing group on our team," said Hendrix prior to the start of preseason practice on Friday. "I told them when we came back earlier this month that I'm excited to see what we can do, that I thought we have a chance to be pretty good.  We're bigger, stronger, and certainly more athletic, and the one thing you'll see is we have a bunch of guys who've played multiple positions, which will give us depth.  Coach (Kevin) Lewis has done a great job bringing those guys along."

Lewis, in his first year in charge of the Paladin base 3-4 defensive front, directs 11 players, six of whom sport starting experience.

Anchoring the line is Cameron Coleman (6-3, 310, R-So.), a recent preseason All-Southern Conference pick who is poised to assume a critical role in Furman's defense after totaling 22 tackles and a pair of sacks a year ago.

"It starts at nose (guard)," said Hendrix.  "Cameron had a great spring practice — probably as good a spring as anybody on our football team. He's a 310-pound guy in our odd base front.  Having a guy in there that size who can disrupt things is big."

Coleman, who logged three starts in 2019, will be backed up by London Lewis (6-4, 291, R-Jr.), who made big strides a year ago according to Hendrix, registering a pair of late season starts at tackle.
 
"London is another big, athletic guy who played a good bit for us last year and has worked at multiple positions.  He also gives us some pass rushing capabilities."

Highly regarded Seth Johnson (6-1, 297, Fr.) rounds out the Paladins' nose guard tandem and is "somebody we feel good about," added Hendrix.  "He helps give us depth in there."

Four players are listed at defensive tackle — Matt Sochovka (6-4, 289, R-Jr.), Parker Stokes (6-0, 288, Sr.), Jack Barton (6-4, 264, R-Fr.), and Trey Rogers (6-3, 237, R-Fr.).

"When you look at tackle, Matt has played a lot of football for us.  He's almost 290 pounds.  We also have Parker, who has also played nose guard and end.  Last year he had a torn labrum but was able to play through it.   He's gotten his weight up, can run, and gives us a little bit of explosiveness at that spot." 

Sochovka owns seven starts, and Stokes, one of the Paladins' most experienced defensive lineman who has seen action 34 games, has been credited with 66 tackles, including nine for-loss in his career.

"We've moved Jack (Barton) in there from end.  He's an interesting guy we redshirted a year ago and who has the frame to play several positions.  He's improved strength-wise and is only going to get bigger and better."

Rogers will provide depth at tackle.

Defensive end could prove to be a position of strength this year with three players — Dru Seabrook (6-3, 242, R-Sr.), Landon Lawrence (6-3, 270, Sr.), and Jeremiah Jackson (6-0, 252, Fr.) — squarely in the mix.

"I think we finally have some guys opposite Adrian Hope at bandit who can balance out things, particularly in passing situations. Everybody knows where Adrian is because of what he's able to do, but we've got field ends out there now who will have to be accounted for."

Seabrook has played in 33 games and owns 10 career sacks.  Lawrence, meanwhile, is Furman's most experienced defensive lineman in terms of games played (36) and has been credited with 49 tackles in his Paladin career.

"Dru is a fifth-year guy who has played a ton of football for us.  He was limited in the fall but will be back out there.  

"If we had to play today Landon would probably be our starter.  He's played every position on the defensive line.  I think the big thing for him is we've finally put him at one position, which is a little bit more of a natural spot for him.  He gives a little bigger body out there."

Newcomer Jeremiah Jackson, it appears, looks to have high impact potential in his first season as a Paladin.

"We had to play Jeremiah inside all fall because of our limited numbers, but he's certainly an edge guy and already one of our better pass rushers.  He's explosive, powerful, and has put on some weight, and is a very bright young man.  He will help give us more depth there than we've ever had, which is good because that position will get tested because guys get baned up there."

Jalen Clark (6-2, 254, R-Fr.) will round out the defensive end position.