The Big Sky Conference is loaded this year, not only with talent but with FCS playoff-caliber teams. A younger league last season, most of the top playmakers are back.
As the season nears, we’ll rank the top five returners at each position group. Today, we give you the defensive linemen.
NOTE: Idaho, who is moving back to the FCS and Big Sky, is eligible for these lists. North Dakota, who plays a Big Sky schedule but is an independent while transitioning to the MVFC, is not.
[divider]
More FCS Countdown Content
The Best Player in FCS Who Wears Each Number, 1-99
Team-by-team previews
[divider]
MORE TOP 5: QB | WR | TE | RB | OL | LB | DB | DL
[divider]
5. Tucker Yates, Montana State
MSU’s front seven looks like a loaded group this year and Yates is at the forefront of that. He earned the team's Defensive MVP Award with Zach Wright, another returning defensive lineman, after starting all 11 games.
Yates totaled 41 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack last year. Standing 6-foot and weighing 290 pounds, he was a human wrecking ball against Northern Arizona, racking up 11 tackles. The senior enters 2018 on the preseason all-Big Sky Team as we could be looking at the best defensive unit in the Big Sky.
[divider]
4. Keifer Morris, Northern Colorado
Morris took his game to another level last year as a junior. The 6-foot-4, 270-pound defensive end increased his total tackles from 42 the season before to 63. Morris lead the Bears with 13.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks.
He twice had games of 13 tackles as he was named to the All-Big Sky Third Team. Morris now has three years of significant playing experience, dating back to his freshman season in 2015. His trajectory so far shows a special year is in store for the senior.
[divider]
3. Jay-Tee Tiuli, Eastern Washington
Tiuli is going to play a key role in EWU’s improving defense as the Eagles are looked at as a Big Sky and national title contender. After earning All-Conference First Team honors in 2016, Tiuli only started two games last year before getting sidelined with an injury. He had huge expectations for his senior year and was a preseason STATS All-American and an NFL Draft prospect.
He’ll get another shot at his senior season this year and is on the preseason All-Big Sky Team. At 6-foot-4, 320 pounds, the defensive lineman has been plugging up the middle for EWU with 77 career total tackles and 8.5 sacks.
[divider]
2. Jonah Williams, Weber State
It didn't take long for Williams to get on campus and become a difference-maker for the Wildcats. He has started 24 of 26 games played at defensive end as WSU has been to back-to-back playoffs. Williams was a 2016 HERO Sports Freshman All-American and was named an All-Conference Second Team player last year. He’s also on the 2018 preseason All-Big Sky Team.
At 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds, Williams finished 2017 with 37 tackles, six for lost yardage, 5.5 sacks and two quarterback hurries. He saved his best performance for last when the Wildcats almost knocked off No. 1 James Madison in the quarterfinals with a season-high seven tackles. With a strong and experienced defense, WSU hopes for a longer run in the postseason.
[divider]
1. George Obinna, Sacramento State
A HERO Sports preseason Third Team All-American, Obinna hopes to continue his dominant ways as a senior. After a decent 2016 season, he exploded last year and earned First Team All-Big Sky honors at defensive end. Obinna lived in the backfield with 12.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks while totaling 23 tackles.
He forced three fumbles and was credited with four quarterback hurries. The 6-foot-3, 240-pounder is named on the preseason All-Big Sky Team and hopes to earn postseason All-American accolades as a top defensive end in the FCS.
[divider]
NEXT: The Best Traditions in the FCS
