GREENVILLE, S.C. -- A solid starting point regarding a football team's prospects is an evaluation of its offensive and defensive fronts. A good report generally tends to support squad-wide optimism, and that's exactly the case for Furman when considering the outlook for its defensive line.
 
The Paladin defensive front reflects a combination of impressive development and retention, plus the addition of a couple of promising  pieces — all of which have melded the group into a deep, veteran unit heading into the season.
 
The 16 players representing the four positions of nose guard, tackle, end, and bandit include 10 letterman and seven performers who own a combined 58 starts.  The impressive profile is highlighted by a consensus All-American and three players who landed preseason All-Southern Conference recognition, including the league's defensive player of the year.
 
"I think our defensive line has a chance to be the strength of our team," said head coach Clay Hendrix on Tuesday.  "We have a good mixture of experience and ability."
 
The bulk of optimism surrounding Furman's defense is due to the return of end Joshua Stoneking (6-3, 258, R-Jr.), who last year was named first team on seven All-America squads, as well as FCS Athletic Director's Association National Defensive Player of the Year after racking up a team best 79 tackles and FCS leading totals in sacks (14.5), tackles for loss (23.5), and tackle yards lost (132).  Clearly considered one of the top defenders in the FCS, evidenced by finishing a close runner-up in Buck Buchanan Award (top defensive player) balloting a year ago, he could be primed for another monster season, at least in the minds of SoCon coaches who selected him as the league's preseason defensive player of the year.
 
"We hope Josh can repeat what he did a year ago," said Hendrix.  "Among the many things we like about him this year is we have more quality guys around him to draw attention, which we believe will free him up more.  You rarely see a defensive lineman who is as effective against the run as he is with tackles for loss and sacks."
 
The return of Tanner Schuck (6-2, 246, Gr.) is a major plus.  The owner of 10 starts and 41 tackles a year ago, he required only three years to earn his Furman degree and was recipient of Furman's 2025-26 Dr. John M. Block Academic Award for highest cumulative GPA (4.00) among male student-athletes.
 
"Tanner is a really consistent, smart, physically strong guy with a lot of starting experience who has the ability to play both the end and bandit positions."
 
Joining Stoneking and Shuck at the edge positions are lettermen Malaki Dobbins (6-3, 252, R-So.) and Trevor Short (6-3, 247, R-So.).
 
"Malaki was one of the few injured guys we had in the spring, but the good news is he is back and will be at full strength at some point soon — maybe week one.  He's certainly shown in his time here the ability to rush the passer.  It's year three for him, so we look forward to him being on the field."
 
"Trevor has continued to get better.  He's another three-year guy who we're excited to see what happens with him.  He certainly has a lot of ability."
 
Looking to push for playing time this fall will be Mason Keely (6-0, 238, R-Fr.) and Griffin Farmery (6-0, 225, R-Jr.).
 
"Mason was impressive a year ago when he came in and also served as a backup long snapper.  He has a good motor with some explosiveness and can help us.
 
"Griffin has been a solid member of our program.  He's another guy who can play both end and bandit.  He will battle for playing time."
 
Two highly regarded newcomers, Eli Lipscomb (6-1, 236, So.) and Robert Lange, Jr. (6-4, 230, Fr.), may very well be heard from this year at the edge positions, according to Hendrix.
 
"Eli is a good addition for us.  A year ago at Wingate I think he was only discovered once the season started and proved to be very productive in tackles for loss and sacks.  In his time here he's already shown us a lot of explosiveness and appears to be equally good against the run and in rushing the passer."
 
Lipscomb, who took part in Furman's spring practice, was credited with 33 tackles, including 9.5 for loss, seven sacks, two forced fumbles, and a pair of fumble recoveries in his first year of collegiate ball.
 
"Rob has been impressive since he got here.  Just in running and conditioning we see a lot there and look at him as a guy who will probably help us this year.  He has a lot of similarities with Josh (Stoneking).  The way the new rules are there is no reason for us to hold a guy like that."
 
In addition to the overall returning experience at the edge positions, position versatility among the players could be a huge factor.
 
"I think we have a lot of guys who are interchangeable between end and bandit, so you could see a number of guys opposite Josh Stoneking.  We have a lot of options there now."
 
It's a similar script inside at the nose guard and tackle slots, where five of the eight returning players boast significant experience.
 
Returnees at nose guard include Caldwell Bussey (6-3, 290, R-Jr.), Ty Kauserud (6-4, 288, R-So.), Marc Hernández  (6-4, 316, R-Jr.), and Johnny Okolo (6-0, 297, R-Fr.).
 
Bussey, a veteran of 22 games, made nine starts at nose guard a year ago and was credited with 24 tackles. 
 
Kauserud, who logged four starts at the position as a true freshman in 2024, had his 2025 campaign sidelined in large measure following an injury in the preseason.
 
Hernández's 21 games played qualifies him as a veteran with notable quality experience.
 
"Caldwell is a fourth-year guy who has played a lot of football for us.  He a big, strong guy who started off at defensive end before moving inside, where he's really developed into solid player.
 
"Ty has certainly shown ability to be a productive player for us.  He's a big body who likes to play.  We look forward to having him back out there.
 
"Marc is another fourth-year guy year who has played a lot.  He's also another big body who gives us quality depth there at nose guard.
 
"Johnny is a big, powerful guy who keeps showing up in a good way in practice.  I think he's really going to help us."
 
The tackle position is blessed with two proven performers in Demetrius Baldwin (6-1, 278, R-So.) and Garrison Butler (6-1, 272, R-So.), along with Maddox Dykeman (6-7, 273, R-Fr.) and Bruce Knauber (6-1, 298, R-So.).
 
Baldwin burst on to scene a year ago to earn starts in 11 games and total 30 tackles en route to earning SoCon All-Freshman Team honors.  He was among three Paladin defensive linemen recently tabbed to the 2026 Preseason All-SoCon squad.
 
Butler, who joined the Paladins in January of 2025 after short stops at Cincinnati and Appalachian State, fashioned an outstanding freshman campaign last fall by logging quality playing time in all 12 games and posting 18 tackles, including a sack.
 
"Demetrius is a defensive lineman you like to see because he shows up against the run and can rush the passer.  We're looking for another big year out of him.
 
"Garrison came on last year and really showed the ability to be a productive inside guy.  Like Demetrius, he's good against the run and versus the pass.  It's a lot tougher to do that playing inside.  He's gotten his weight up and has had a good offseason, so we feel really good about him."
 
Dykeman will look to see his first action this fall, as will Knauber, who hopes the injury bug is now in his rear view mirror.
 
"Maddox is a big guy who has gained a lot of weight and strength and who is coming off a good spring practice.
 
"Bruce tore his Achilles and missed all of last year.  He's a local guy (Greenville HS) who we thought from day one has a chance to be good for us.  When he's been healthy, we haven't seen anything to make us believe otherwise.  I think he's a guy who can help us with depth."

Furman kicks off its 2026 season on Thursday, August 27, when it entertains Anderson in a 7:00 p.m. contest at Paladin Stadium. 

Click HERE for Furman's 2026 schedule.

Paladin fans can renew or purchase new season tickets online by clicking HERE, or by contacting the Furman Box Office at 864-294-3099.

Furman's football program will take a trip down memory lane on Saturday, Aug. 8, with a practice at Sirrine Stadium in downtown Greenville from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m..  Gates are scheduled to open at 10:00 a.m. Admission is free.