Editor's note: With the 2020 Nevada football season delayed, NevadaWolfPack.com is taking a look at the Wolf Pack program on a position-by-position basis this fall. This week's focus: defensive line.
The Wolf Pack defensive line combines new and familiar faces entering the 2020 campaign, featuring two of the Mountain West's top defensive linemen. Junior Dom Peterson and senior Sam Hammond are set to lead the Pack defensive unit that includes five freshmen, six sophomores, two juniors and six seniors.
The defensive line is guided by assistant Jackie Shipp for the second-consecutive season. Shipp's extensive coaching history and NFL playing experience propelled the defense to allowing just 149 rushing yards per game in 2019. The Wolf Pack defense also averaged 4.5 TFL per game last season.
Defensive end Sam Hammond is expected to have a strong senior campaign. Hammond starts the season as a nominee for the 2020 Campbell Trophy, an award given to a college football player who excels on the field, in the classroom and in the community. As a junior, Hammond tallied his best college season with 35 tackles and three sacks. Hammond also earned MW Defensive Player of the Week honors after helping Nevada to an upset road win over No. 24 San Diego State.
Junior defensive tackle Dom Peterson is looking to build off his impressive sophomore season where he tabbed All-MW honors and earned the Wolf Pack's Outstanding Defensive Player award. The Harbor City, Calif., native is a 2020 Preseason All-MW selection and has also been placed on College Football America Yearbook's 2020 Group of 5 Preseason Starting Lineup. As a sophomore, Peterson recorded 40 tackles in 12 games including a career-best performance against New Mexico where he tallied four solo tackles, three TFL and two sacks. Peterson concluded the 2019 season with 15 TFL and 9 sacks, ranking second in the MW in both categories.
Senior defensive end Kameron Toomer will add depth in 2020 after missing the last half of the 2019 season due to injury. As a junior, Toomer notched 16 tackles and three TFL in six appearances.
Sophomore defensive ends who saw playing time in 2019 and are expected to contribute this fall include Giovanni Miranda, Breylon Garcia and Daniel Grzesiak. Miranda and Grzesiak switched to defensive end from linebacker and tight end in the offseason. Garcia saw significant playing time on special teams as a true freshman last season, appearing in nine games and recovering a fumble in the Wolf Pack's season-opening win against Purdue. Miranda registered 13 tackles during the 2019 season at linebacker. During the 2019-18 seasons as a tight end, Grzesiak proved his hard work and dedication, earning the team's Hustle Award. Sophomores Jack Powers and Jack Bolduc also add depth to defensive end after switching from linebacker and offensive line in the offseason.
Nevada also holds experience from senior tackles Chris Green, Tristan Nichols and Zak Mahannah. Green, a Los Angeles native, is expected to contribute after finishing his junior campaign with 16 tackles and 5.5 TFL. Nichols adds depth to defensive tackle and will push for a starting spot after recording five tackles, including four sacks, as a junior. Mahannah is looking to expand his role in 2020 after tallying six tackles in 2019. Mahannah registered a season-high two tackles in games against Utah State and Ohio.
Junior Amir Johnson will be looking to add more playing time in 2020. As a sophomore, Johnson registered two tackles in three games in 2019 after switching from offensive line to defensive tackle midway through the season. Sophomore Christopher Love and redshirt freshmen Maurice Wilmer and Curtis Bonam will also be in the battle for playing time after changing positions in the offseason. In addition, true freshmen Thomas Witte, Teivis Tuioti and Aaron Overton Jr. add depth to the position.
