- Defensive Line

Senior Dont? Lewis is the leader of the W&M defensive front, and with his 31 career games played, he is the most experienced of any returnee on the line. With good pass rush skills and the ability to stop the run, Lewis has the chance to contend for postseason honors at defensive end.

On the opposite size of Lewis at the Bandit defensive end spot is junior Jerome Griffin, Jr. An instinctive talent, Griffin?s 60 tackles last year the tops among returning players on the defensive line. A complete athletic package, Griffin seems poised to have a break out season in 2003 as he enters his third season as a contributor.

With the loss of starters Todd Garland and Marcus Washington to graduation, W&M will have two new starters on the inside, though the candidates for the jobs are game-tested.

At one defensive tackle position, massive sophomore Larry Pendleton is penciled in as the starter. Pendleton, who stands a solid 6-3, 285 pounds, saw considerable action as a true freshman in 2002, and should continue to improve with more reps. A regular member of the defensive line rotation last year, Pendleton has the size and quickness to be an effective run-stopper and pass rusher.

Junior Michael McCarthy is slated to join Pendleton as the other interior lineman. McCarthy played 20 games in his first two seasons and has good strength for his position. He made 24 tackles, including one sack, last season. His strength and size (6-3, 260) make him a standout in slowing the oppositions? running game.

The winner of this year?s Winter Warrior Award for dedication to off-season conditioning, junior defensive end Wade Harrell, is being counted on as a playmaker for the 2003 Tribe. One of the team?s top pass rushers, Harrell contributed three tackles for loss, two interceptions and a fumble recovery last season.

At 6-6, 250 pounds, sophomore Adam O?Connor has the size to be a dominating presence on the defensive line and will be counted on to provide quality depth this fall. Junior Justin Kelly made great strides during spring drills and will be an asset for the College at defensive tackle. A solid run stopper with good knowledge of the defensive schemes, Kelly was one of the team?s most improved players in the spring.

Redshirt freshmen Bobby Daush and Josh Wright will add depth for W&M on the defensive front. Daush moved to defensive tackle from defensive end this spring, and made progress each day at the new position. Wright is one of the most intense players on the squad, and has an aggressive style that impressed the coaching staff in spring drills.