Football Season Preview: Defensive Line

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University football team featured one of the nation's best defensive units during the spring of 2021 and the defensive line was at the heart of it.  

Today's defensive line preview is the fifth of eight positional previews as the Black and Gold get set to kickoff the 2021 season on Sept. 4 at Rhode Island.

Quick Outlook

Junior Jack Daly and sophomore Chidi Nna both received recognition at the end of the spring season, with Daly earning All-Northeast Conference First Team honors and Nna earning NEC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Daly posted 15.0 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 3.5 TFLs, while Nna had 11.0 tackles and 2.0 TFLs. 

Bryant will also welcome back Connor Payne, Darnel Shillingford, Kenny Dyson Jr. and Nsaiah Harriet to a group that helped the Bulldogs hold teams to just 116 rushing yards per game. 

Returners
Jack Daly, Jr. | Chidi Nna, So. | Connor Payne, Sr. | Darnel Shillingford, Jr. | Kenny Dyson Jr., Jr. | Nsaiah Harriet, Jr. | Bruce Adlar, So. | Christopher Eaton Jr., So. | Jack O'Connell, So.

Newcomers
Vince Gilchrist, Fr. | Eric Dukes, Fr. | Daniel Jefferys, Fr. | Michael Otty, Fr. | Anilson Rocha, Fr. | Jaymian Simon, Fr. | Aldrec Viera Dones, Fr.

Notes and Notables

• Daly has made a name for himself up front, posting 8.0 TFLs and 4.0 sacks in 16 career games. After producing 4.5 TFLs and 1.5 sacks in 12 games as a true freshman, he posted 3.5 TFLs and 2.5 sacks in just four games last spring.
• Nna became the third Bulldog to earn NEC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, joining Andre Brackett and Max Machado. Nna posted a season-high 6.0 tackles in last year's opener.
• Payne has also become a key cog in the middle of Bryant's defensive front, appearing in each of the last 16 games. He's posted 25.0 career tackles.
• Dyson, Jr., and Eaton Jr. give the Black and Gold a presence on the edge with their athleticism. 

Up Next

The linebackers season preview will be released on Sunday, August 29th.