By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A good defense starts up front with the defensive line, and through some hard work during the offseason and so far during training camp, the Tennessee Tech football team looks to have made some strides on the front lines.
And a lot of that progress has come with the defensive tackles.
Golden Eagle assistant coach and defensive tackles coach Sam Williamson is happy with the progress he's seen so far.
"I think we're ahead of schedule," Williamson said. "We're far ahead of where I thought we'd be right now. We have three guys who are all-conference and the backups are probably just as good. Kevin Robinson-White is probably one of the best tackles in the league.
"They're playing hard and they're doing a great job of coaching the younger guys up. They're picking up on the system well. I've seen them all just grow up so much."
Williamson continued, "Shoot, man, I'm like them. I'm learning more football from these dudes – (defensive coordinator Shawn) Quinn and (assistant coach, special teams coordinator and defensive ends coach) Dantae (Wright) and (head coach Marcus) Satterfield than they are.
"Everything's good. I'm excited and I can't wait to get out there on Sept. 1 and get to square off against someone else."
And there is so much of a difference from spring ball to where the Golden Eagles are now on defensive line.
"Tons of improvement," Williamson said. "Everybody in my group has gotten better since spring practice. Every single one of them and in a lot of different ways. They're working their butts off. They're rejuvenated, they're excited like I am. It's been a good time and it's been fun."
And Robinson-White may be the biggest name returning at defensive tackle, but he's definitely not the only weapon as Anthony Akers and Mike Cain have also been making huge strides.
"We all know what kind of kid Mike Cain is," Williamson said, "Anthony Akers is the epitome of a defensive lineman. He's a tough kid and works extremely hard. Anthony has a little bit of Mike Cain in him and a little bit of Kevin Robinson-White in him. Mike might be a little stronger than he is and Kevin might be a little bit stronger, but when Anthony leaves here, he will probably be one of the best defensive linemen to ever come through Tennessee Tech and I believe that whole-heartedly."
Williamson continued, "Mike Cain is a rock to block. He's a great kid, a joy to coach, strong as an ox, smart, cares about his football team, he wants to see this team be successful and he's been busting his tail. Mike – and I've told him this a thousand times – he used to be one of the laziest guys we had. He has worked his butt off. He's the man. He's done a great job. All the coaches feel the same way I feel about him. He's one of our guys. He's one of our linemen that's going to lead us this year to a championship."
The goals heading through camp and into the Sept. 1 opener against Wofford are simple.
"Out goal is to be the toughest cats we can be on any football field we play on," Williamson said. "We're going to stop the run. We're going to try our best to help in the pass game. We're going to shut the ball down from guard to guard. Nobody is going to run on us. Our goal is to get better as a pass-rushing group. Coach Wright has come in and done a great job of helping us develop our pass-rushing techniques along with our run game.
He continued, "I think we're the leaders of the defense right now, because we're better players. I think the defensive line will be the strength of our team. Right now, they're doing a great job."
