Defensive Line Looks to Build On Experience

Junior defensive end Zach Hodges sits on the stairs outside the Harvard football facility. A few steps below him, senior Nnamdi Obukwelu and his brother, junior Obum, plop themselves down, flanking Hodges on either side.

Finished with their work in the trenches for the day, the three defensive linemen finally unwind their wrist tape and loosen their pads.

Most of the glory typically goes to offensive players. But in the face of key losses from Harvard’s record setting offense last season, the performance of these three linemen may be critical to Harvard’s success.

“In some big games last year we didn’t really finish the games that we should have,” senior tackle Nnamdi Obukwelu said. “So finishing each rep, each sprint, finishing each day fast and strong was one big thing we worked on this offseason.”

The Crimson defense, susceptible at times last year to the big play, will be increasingly relied upon throughout its conference schedule. And much of that burden will rest up front with the defensive line—and especially with Hodges.

After a breakout year in which he amassed 32 tackles, nine sacks, and first-team All-Ivy honors, the junior will look to build on that success.

“He’s stronger, he’s more fit physically, he’s better technically, and he clearly will be a guy where everybody has to know exactly where he is on the field if you’re on offense,” Harvard coach Tim Murphy said. “Part of it is he’s so lightning quick that he can expose you real quick, and he can run things down.”

And Hodges contributes to the defensive effort just by being on the field. Even if he is not pressuring the quarterback or making a tackle, offensive lines have to devote significant attention to Hodges’ side of the field, freeing up other defenders to make a play on the ball.

To Hodges’ right will be defensive tackle Nnamdi Obukwelu, a veteran who has the ability to clog up much of the line of scrimmage. Obukwelu finished seventh on the team with 37 tackles last season, and he will likely take on an expanded role in his final year.

A potential difference maker not only on the line—but also for the defense as a whole—will be Obum Obukwelu. Although he has not had as much experience as Hodges or his older brother, at 6’2”, 275 pounds Obukwelu has the physical form to torment an opposing team’s front five.

“[Obum] has the ability to be a dominant defensive tackle at this level,” Murphy said. “He’s worked tremendously to get there, and I think this will be a big year for him to figure out if he’ll be that part of the equation.”

The two Obukwelus will not line up next to each other every snap, but when they do, their combined force could create trouble for an opponent’s blocking scheme. According to Murphy, there’s no reason both tackles can’t play at an All-Ivy level this season.

Much of Nnamdi and Obum’s time on the football field has been spent with the other. Hailing from nearby Brockton, Mass., the brothers attended high school together, both served as captain, and both made the decision to play at Harvard.

“[Obum] is a very gifted athlete,” Nnamdi Obukwelu said. “It’s been fun…and it’s been a once-in-a-lifetime experience, getting to play with your brother day in and day out, going through the aches and pains together.”

Along with familiarity, the defensive line also boasts experience, as nearly the entire front has seen big minutes in the past and is familiar with the daily grind of the Ivy League season.

Those extra reps paid off before the season even started. Because of the core group’s familiarity with the system in place, coaches have the capacity to expand the number of packages to throw at an opponent in a given game. Although the defense is based in a 4-3 set, the Crimson plans to showcase a 3-4 as well as a variety of blitz packages, including zone reads and drops into coverage.

“When you have an experienced line, there are a lot of things you can do,” Obum Obukwelu said.

One big loss for the Crimson will be that of defensive end John Lyon ’12, who graduated last year. Lyon performed consistently on the right side and racked up second team All-Ivy honors. Murphy hopes that guys like seniors Jack Dittmer, Austin Taylor, Luke Zelon, and Danny Frate, along with sophomore Dan Moody, can step up to help fill his shoes in a variety of defensive rotations.

“I think our depth is less [than last year], at least our proven depth, at defensive line,” Murphy said. “I don’t think we’re going to have the luxury of some of the quality of third-teamers that were playing.”

But anchored by the line, the Harvard defense certainly showed up to play in the first game of the year against San Diego. Hodges recovered two fumbles, returning one all the way back for the first score of the game. Dittmer assisted on a sack. And the Crimson surrendered only 97 net rushing yards, holding Toreros quarterback Mason Mills to a single touchdown pass.

“It doesn’t matter when you touch the field,” Hodges said. “But when you do, be ready to do your role and play your part.”

—Staff writer David Steinbach can be reached at david.steinbach@thecrimson.com.