Storyline:
A year ago, when Cal Poly was making the switch from Rich Ellerson’s three-man defensive front to Tim Walsh’s four-man line, the biggest concern was a shortage of big men.
The Ellerson defense relied on a flurry of smaller, faster guys creating havok and his recruiting classes reflected it. The big quantity of down linemen Walsh would have wanted just weren’t in the program.
But now it seems, if anything, coaches will have more than enough options to choose from, especially at defensive end. It’s probably enough to expect an improvement on the 17 sacks the team compiled last season.
Outlook:
Defensive tackle James Chen (6-2, 270) is back from chronic knee problems for his senior season. The line play may well hinge on his health. Erich Klemme (6-2, 270) will likely join him inside.
Ryan Shotwell and Carlton Gillespie, the team’s two leaders in sacks (9 combined) last year, are gone, but Gavin Cooper (6-3, 240), who missed all of last season with a shoulder injury, is back and coaches are heaving big expectations upon him.
Cooper, a junior, had five sacks in his first two seasons combined, but he’s never been let loose on the edge like he will be this year.
Redshirt freshman Sullivan Grosz (6-4, 265) has also received rave reviews from coaches for his disruptive abilities.
Nobody knows what the Mustangs are truly going to get from Baylor transfer Matt Singletary (6-3, 250), but he also has the potential to be a devastating pass rusher.
I’ve already mentioned five guys, and that’s still not including Brandon Roberts (6-2, 245) of Atascadero, Karl Winkleman (6-3, 245) and Bobby Best (6-3, 240) — who all got major playing time last season — or redshirt freshmen Amir Tadros (6-3, 255) and Nick Leyden (6-2, 250) of Pioneer Valley, junior college transfer Kyle Murphy (6-4, 260) and converted offensive lineman Troy Shotwell (6-3, 235).
It’s almost straight out of a Jesus parable, the way the Cal Poly defensive linemen have been multiplied this year. I don’t know if any single one could be Chris Gocong, but the group looks good.
Freshman Factor:
Chris Lawrence (6-2, 255) of Danville is the only freshman listed at defensive line, but with all the options, I doubt the team will need an immediate contribution from him.











