The Best Defensive Linemen in Troy History
Other schools may be DBU, WRU, QBU, but Troy is DLU. The Trojans boast an impressive resume of Defensive Linemen that could stack up with almost any defensive line in the country. This has allowed Troy to have stout defenses year in and year out.
This list combines all the positions on the defensive line, such as end, tackle, and nose tackle. As always, they must have won an All-America or All-Conference Honor or have set a record in the Troy record books. No current players are eligible for inclusion either.
With the success of Troy’s defensive linemen in the NFL, it must be stated here in this article more so than any other that this ranking is based on college performance, not overall college and pro performance.
Honorable Mentions: Kenny Mainor, Davern Williams, Marcus Spriggs, Steve McClendon, Mario Addison, Charles Pickett
Osi Umenyiora (1999-02)
There has not been a more talented defensive lineman to don the cardinal, silver, and black. Some may disagree with me on this, but the stats speak for themselves. Osi Umenyiora has his name etched all throughout the Troy record books, in addition to his All-Southland (2000) and All-Independent (2002) honors.
He holds the #1 spot in sacks in a game with 4, set in 2002. Umenyiora is also in a tie for #3 with 3 sacks. He accomplished this feat once in 2001 and three times in 2002.
Umenyiora’s breakout year was 2002, a year he put his name in the top 5 of 4 different categories. He is currently #2 in tackles for loss with 20.5 and #4 in yards from tackles for loss with 93. His 15 sacks that year were good enough for a tie for fifth place all time. He is also fifth all time in yards from sacks with 81.
Osi is one of the few linemen to have his name in the rankings for tackles in the Troy record book. He is #16 in total tackles with 278 and #7 in assisted tackles with 150. Umenyiora is #3 in tackles for loss and #4 in yards from tackles for loss with 168. He is tied for eighth in sacks with 24 and #5 in yards from sacks with 140.
DeMarcus Ware (2001-04)
While he had more accolades, DeMarcus Ware came up just short for the #1 spot. His two All-Independent honors (2002 & 2003), All-Sun Belt selection (2004), and Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year in 2004 showcase just how well respected DeMarcus Ware was while at Troy.
He is third in a tie in sacks with 3, a feat he accomplished twice in 2002 and another two times in 2004.
Over the course of a season, Ware is #4 in tackles for loss (19.5, 2002) and #3 in yards for loss (101, 2004). He is tied at #3 in yards from sacks with 87 (2004) and also holds the #10 spot with 59 in 2002.
During his time in cardinal, Ware became the tackles for loss leader with 55. He also holds the record for yards from tackles for loss with 250. He is #4 in sacks with 27.5 and #2 in yards from sacks with 198.
Al Lucas (1996-99)
Al Lucas’ name is etched in Trojan history as the best defensive linemen in its history, until the previous two at least. Lucas earned All-American honors and All-Southland selections in 1998 & 1999. Lucas also won the Buck Buchanan Award in 1999, which recognizes the best defensive player in FCS. This makes Lucas the only Trojan to ever win a national postseason award.
In a single game, he is tied for #3 in sacks with 3, a mark he tied in 1999.
1999 was truly Lucas’ best season, seeing him gain top 10 marks in three categories. He is tied for ninth in total tackles with 129. Lucas is also tied for third in assisted tackles with 71. He holds the #3 spot in tackles for loss with 20.
Over the course of his career, Al Lucas set the #12 mark for assisted tackles with 140. He is tied for #6 in tackles for loss with 33. These tackles gave him the #15 spot for yards from tackles for loss with 117. He also had enough yards from sacks to give him the #20 spot with 74.
Jonathan Massaquoi (2010-11)
Accolades
- All-Sun Belt 2010 & 2011
- Single-Game Records
- #3 (tied) Sacks – 3, 2010 (twice)
- Single-Season Records
- #1 Tackles for Loss – 21.5, 2010
- #2 Yards from TFL – 214, 2010
- #8 Sacks – 13, 2010
- #2 Yards from Sacks – 91, 2010
- Career Records
- #9 Tackles for Loss – 32
- #5 Yards from TFL – 167
- #13 Sacks – 19
- #6 Yards from Sacks – 132
Pratt Lyons (1995-96)
Accolades
- All-American, 1996
- All-Southland, 1996
- 1996 Southland Defensive Player of the Year
- Single-Game Records
- None
- Single-Season Records
- #3 Fumble Returns (tied) – 3, 1996
- #7 Sacks – 14, 1995
- #7 Yards from Sacks – 74 (1995 & 1996)
- Career Records
- #20 Tackles for Loss (tied) – 24 (1995-1996)
- #8 Sacks (tied) – 24
- #4 Yards from Sacks – 148
Rashad Dillard (2014-16)
Accolades
- All-Sun Belt 2015 & 2016
- Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year 2016
- Single-Game Records
- #3 (tied) Sacks – 3, 2016
- Single-Season Records
- #7 Fumble Return Yards – 33, 2015
- Career Records
- #13 Yard from Tackles for Loss – 127
- #11 Yards from Sacks – 97
Brandon Lang (2006-09)
Accolades
- All-Sun Belt 2008 & 09
- Single-Game Records
- None
- Single-Season Records
- #5 Tackles for Loss – 18.5, 2008
- #1 Yards from TFL – 121, 2008
- #1 Yards from Sacks – 100, 2008
- Career Records
- #4 Tackles for Loss – 38
- #2 Yards from TFL – 219
- #8 (tied) Sacks – 24
- #3 Yards from Sacks – 173
Tim Betts (1997-2000)
Accolades
- 2000 All-American
- All-Southland 1999-2000
- Single-Game Records
- None
- Single-Season Records
- #10 (tied) Tackles for Loss – 15, 2000
- Career Records
- #6 (tied) Tackles for Loss – 33
- #14 Yard from TFL – 122
Kenny Craik (1977-80)
Accolades
- All-Southland 1980
- Single-Game Records
- None
- Single-Season Records
- #1 Sacks – 20, 1980
- Career Records
- #19 Total Tackles – 271
- #17 Assisted Tackles – 132
- #2 Sacks – 31
Dennis Anderson (1971-73)
Accolades
- All-Gulf South 1973
- Single-Game Records
- None
- Single-Season Records
- #3 Total Tackles – 151, 1973
- #2 Unassisted Tackles – 90, 1973
- Career Records
- #14 Total Tackles – 299
- #7 Unassisted Tackles – 195
These players have sustained Troy’s defensive success and gave a great foundation for the rest of the defense. We will see the rest of them in the coming weeks.
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