Purdue football defensive line breakdown: Cohesiveness adds strength to defense

WEST LAFAYETTE —While s everal Purdue football position groups had turnover, the defensive linemen are mostly familiar with one another.

Eight of the 12 are back from a year ago and a handful were Boilermakers together before the current coaching staff arrived.

Does all that time spent together have benefits?

"It's all about camaraderie in the room," defensive line coach Brick Haley said. "It doesn't matter if it's first year, second year, third year. It's building that chemistry with the whole unit. These guys are starting to feel comfortable playing with each other and that is one of the biggest portions of it."

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Cohesiveness isn't the only quality, as the Boilers expect to be strong in the trenches.

Purdue's defensive linemen

Who is back: Joe Anderson, senior (16 tackles, 2 TFL in 2023); Damarjhe Lewis, senior; Cole Brevard, senior (9 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, 2 FR); Joe Strickland, sophomore; Mo Omonode, junior (14 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 2 sacks); Jeffrey M'Ba, senior (16 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack); Jamarrion Harkless, redshirt freshman; Drake Carlson, redshirt freshman

New faces: Jamarius Dinkins, junior (transfer from Kentucky, 18 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack in 20 career games); Reese Hill, freshman; Caleb Irving, freshman; Elijah Taylor, freshman

Setbacks

When Lewis transferred from Indiana prior to the 2021 season, he helped fill a need on the defensive front, playing in 12 games and starting three.

His career since has been marred by injuries.

Lewis' 2022 season ended in fall camp after suffering an ankle injury . Lewis played in two games last season (Fresno State and Syracuse) before an injury.

He's been out for a portion of fall camp but last week was in the rotation with Purdue's No. 1 defense.

Right at home

Jeffrey M'ba's toughest transition wasn't technique or skill. M'ba is from Gabon and speaks French as a first language.

M'ba now has a good grasp on English and of West Lafayette after playing all 12 games last season following his transfer from Auburn. M'ba is one of five Purdue defensive linemen who began their careers elsewhere, including Dinkins, Lewis, Joe Anderson (South Carolina) and Cole Brevard (Penn State).

All feel like they've landed in the right spot for them at Purdue.

"Everybody that was there last year got some reps, got in some games, so they know what the scheme looks like, what we have to do," M'ba said. "I feel like it's way easier. We're more homogenous and play together way better."

Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue football defensive line breakdown: Cohesiveness adds strength to defense