2024 Position Preview: Defensive Line Looks to Bring the Juice in 2024

Image: Indiana Athletics

Written by Ben Gillard

“JUICE. JUICE. LET’S SEE SOME JUICE TODAY!” New Defensive Line Coach Pat Kuntz implored his players in a practice video posted to IU Football’s social media pages. The Indianapolis native returns to IU following a stint with Coach Cignetti at James Madison University. Upon his return, he had his work cut out for him, replacing a line decimated by outgoing transfers and graduations. Coach Kuntz has done his job and created a unit that is hungry to “bring the juice” this season.  

Defensive End

Mikail Kamara - 6’1”/265 lbs

Kamara joins the Hoosiers after two seasons at James Madison. A star for Coach Kuntz’s Dukes, he played in 17 games for JMU and registered 67 total tackles, 23 tackles for loss, and 11.5 sacks. Kamara looks to build upon the success of his Sophomore season, where he finished third on the team with 53 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks. He looks to become a key contributor for the Hoosiers over his remaining 3 years of eligibility.

Venson Sneed Jr -  6’4”/266 lbs

Sneed came to IU in 2022 as a 4-star recruit. He redshirted his freshman season, yet still appeared in two games and recorded a tackle. He made the jump into the rotation last season, where he appeared in all 12 games and recorded 5 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss. Sneed looks to build upon his success and solidify his role in the rotation this season. 

Aden Cannon - 6’6”/271 lbs

Cannon enters this season with a lot to prove. The Noblesville native walked on to the Hoosiers in 2022 but has yet to see the field on gameday over the past two seasons. He has, however, been a vital member of the scout team over his career, earning scout team player of the week last season. Cannon has gained 18 pounds over the offseason, and as he continues to develop and gain strength, he looks to become a backup on the defensive line.  

Nose Tackle

CJ West - 6’2”/317 lbs

Arguably the crown jewel of IU’s defensive transfer class, former Kent State DT West chose the Hoosiers over offers from Michigan, LSU, FSU, and Wisconsin. Over his four seasons with the Golden Flashes, West appeared in 39 games and made 110 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, and 7 sacks. Last season, West was ranked the 14th best interior defender in the country per PFF, and his 85.9 overall PFF grade ranks higher than recent 2nd Round draft pick and fellow Big 10 defender Johnny Newton. West will likely be the anchor of the Hoosiers line this season, as a force from the nose position. 

Robby Harrison - 6’4”/298 lb

Harrison was a highly sought-after recruit coming out of high school, being tabbed as a Top 20 prospect in South Carolina by Rivals and a Top 100 defensive tackle by ESPN. This earned him offers from Michigan, Minnesota, and Arizona State (where he initially started his career). Harrison played in three games for the Sun Devils during his first season before redshirting. Harrison transferred to IU last season, where he saw the field against Michigan, recording 3 tackles. Harrison looks to continue to develop as part of the rotation this year.

Race Stewart - 6’3”/305 lbs

A Bloomington native, Stewart joined the Hoosiers as a walk-on in 2021 and saw the field for the first time last season against Indiana State, where he recorded his first career tackle, a sack that resulted in a 4-yard loss. Given his size and the fact that he has been named scout team player of the week three times, there is hope that he can develop behind guys like CJ West into a solid Nose Tackle. 

Defensive Tackle

James Carpenter - 6’2”/284 lbs

A star on the line for the James Madison Dukes over the past 5 years, Carpenter followed Head Coach Curt Cignetti and DL Coach Pat Kuntz to Bloomington this season. At JMU, Carpenter was a two-time All-Sun Belt selection who started 37 of 40 games over his career. Over the past two seasons, Carpenter had 53 tackles with 4 sacks and 52 tackles with 5.5 sacks, respectively. As a high-motor player, Carpenter looks to continue his success in his first season in the Big 10.

Marcus Burris Jr. - 6’5”/286 lbs

A former 4-star prospect out of Texas, Burris began his career at Texas A&M. After two years in College Station, Burris transferred to IU last year, where he made an immediate impact on the Hoosier’s DL. Burris saw snaps during every game last season and started 8 of them. He ended the season with 20 total tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. With one season with the Hoosiers under his belt, Burris looks to take the next step in his development and become a major contributor on the Hoosiers D-Line this season.

Tyrique Tucker - 6’0”/295 lbs

As one of the many transfers that followed Coach Cignetti from James Madison, Tyrique Tucker looks to make an impact on IU’s new-look defensive line. As a redshirt freshman for James Madison in 2023, Tucker played in all 13 games (five starts) and had 29 tackles with 4.5 TFL and 1.5 sacks. Over the course of the 2023 season, Tucker saw snaps at both Defensive Line and Nose Guard for the Dukes. With all of the offseason departures, Tucker will add some much-needed depth to the Hoosiers defensive line. Look for him to plug holes as needed along the line this season. In addition to his prowess on the field, Tucker is also a force in the classroom. In high school, he was an honor roll student, and in college, he was named to the dean’s list and awarded the 2023 JMU Scholar-Athlete by Athletic Director James Doan. With 3 years of eligibility left, Tucker should be a fixture on IU’s defense for years to come. 

J’mari Monette - 6’4/282 lbs

As a 3-star recruit out of Alexandria, a Louisiana high school that has produced a host of NFL talent, including Panthers receiver D.J. Chark, Monette hopes to be the next Trojan turned NFL player. In high school, Monette was named All-District 2-5A as a senior, and totaled 48 tackles, 1 sack, and 4 TFLs as a junior, leading the Trojans to a runner-up finish in the LHSAA 5A State Football Playoffs. Monette redshirted his freshman season in 2022 and did not see any game action in 2023. However, as a talented player who has a ton of eligibility left, Monette has the opportunity to sit behind and learn from the veteran players on the line, and make the most of his time when he gets a start.

Stud

Lanell Carr Jr. - 6’2”/238 lbs

A top-50 defensive line prospect out of De Smet Jesuit in St. Louis Carr started his collegiate career at West Virginia. As a freshman for the Mountaineers, Carr earned scout team player of the week honors twice and saw action in six games, including a tackle during his collegiate debut against Eastern Kentucky. As a sophomore, Carr appeared in nine games and started two, tallying 4 tackles on the season. Carr made a jump in production during his junior season in 2022. He appeared in all 12 games with two starts. Carr logged a career-high 21 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, and a sack. Carr ended the season on a high note, recording multiple tackles in four straight games to end the season. Following his junior year, Carr transferred from West Virginia to Indiana, where he appeared in all 12 games with 10 starts. Immediately, Carr picked up where he left off, totaling 33 tackles, 8 TFLs, 2 pass breakups, and 5 sacks, solidifying himself as a leader on the D-Line as well as the most consistent performer. Perhaps the most important aspect that Carr brings to the Hoosiers is his leadership and veteran presence. Carr brings years of experience, which will help the underclassman and new transfers to play at a high level. Look for Carr to be one of the leaders of IU’s defensive line this season.

Jacob Mangum-Farrar - 6’5”/256 lbs

A transfer from Stanford, the former Cardinal started every game at linebacker for the Hoosiers last season. At linebacker, Mangum-Farrar made 62 tackles with 4 tackles for loss. With the arrival of Coach Curt Cignetti and a transition to a scheme which prioritizes smaller, quicker linebackers, Mangum-Farrar switched to the Stud position, which Coach Cignetti felt fit his body type better. This change did not come as a huge surprise to Mangum-Farrar, who initially believed he would be coming off the edge when he transferred to IU. In order to transition, Mangum-Farrar bulked up, gaining 15 pounds to help go to work against the strong offensive lines of the Big 10. Look for Mangum-Farrar to be a force in the trenches this season.

Ta’Derrius Collins - 6’4/242 lbs

A highly sought after recruit, Collins was ranked as one of the top 25 players out of the state of Louisiana and chose the Hoosiers over Texas, Auburn, and TCU. Collins did not see any game action last season and redshirted. As a redshirt freshman, Collins may be able to work himself into the rotation and get valuable in-game reps. 

Projected Starters

DE: Mikail Kamara

NT: CJ West

DT: James Carpenter

Stud: Lanell Carr Jr.

Projected Backups

DE: Venson Sneed Jr.

NT: Tyrique Tucker

DT: Marcus Burris Jr.

Stud: Jacob Mangum-Farrar

Projected Next-Ups

DE: Aden Cannon

NT: Robby Harrison 

DT: Race Stewart, J’mari Monette

Stud: Ta’Derius Collins