Football 8/20/2025 12:44:00 PM

Cumberland Football Positional Preview - Defensive Line

LEBANON, Tenn.--The Cumberland defensive line enters 2025 with a new voice of leadership under first-year defensive coordinator Patrick Miller, and head coach Tim Mathis believes this group has the depth and size to be one of the strongest units on the team. Last fall, the Phoenix allowed just 131.7 rushing yards per game and only 18.3 points per contest, with the front combining for 50 tackles for loss and 18 sacks.

Mathis sees similarities to one of the program's most successful defensive fronts. "The D-line reminds me a lot of 2018 when we were so deep," he said. "The difference is now we're so much bigger than we were then. We've got guys that are 350, 340, close to 400 pounds, and it's going to be tough to run against us."

A key boost to the group is the return of Josh Jones, who missed 2024 with an injury. In his career, Jones has posted 69 tackles and 11.5 tackles for loss across 16 games. His quickness and strength in the interior are proven assets. "Josh is going to beat you because of his quickness and his power," Mathis noted.

The Phoenix also add veteran transfers who should make an immediate impact. Graduate student CJ Miller (Howard) has impressed early. "CJ is as big as Josh," said Mathis. "He's a defensive end with the size and strength to be a real difference-maker up front." Transfers Taevion Clarke (Norfolk State), Tavarius Pitts (San Diego State), Peter Popoola (Oklahoma Baptist), and Woodens PierreLouis (Lincoln University) add more experience and leadership inside.

Clarke, a transfer who saw time at Norfolk State after beginning his career at Old Dominion. Clarke played in five games in 2023, recording five tackles and 1.5 sacks, and brings FCS-level experience and athleticism to the Cumberland defense.

Pitts is an incoming transfer from San Jose State. Pitts saw action in one game for the Spartans, but prior to his time there he was a junior college All-American at Contra Costa College. At his JuCo, he led the team in sacks twice posting six as a freshman and 5.5 as a sophomore.

Popoola comes to Cumberland after spending the last few years at Oklahoma Baptist. He registered 87 tackles with 6.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, and two forced fumbles.

One of the most intriguing pieces is Woodens PierreLouis, a 6-3, 395-pound junior. Mathis praised his unique skill set: "He has has unbelievable feet for his size. If he were a couple inches taller, he'd probably be an NFL offensive lineman. You can't move him. His upside is unreal, especially since he's only played football for three years." PierreLouis picked up 32 tackles with three tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks in 17 games.

Another transfer that can make a big impact is RaSean Randall, a 6-5, 241-pound redshirt sophomore from Garden City Community College.

Among the returners, Jaren Tatum, KK Lemapu, and Wil Farris bring game experience.

On the edge, Mathis is confident in the pass rush. "We're really long off the edge, and that's a great thing. They're going to be really good in the pass rush," he said. "Lance Mathews is just a motor. He's been that way for a couple of years, and it's great having him back." Mathis also noted that players like Eli Denton and Knox Watson will rotate in depending on matchups to add flexibility.

The depth and size of this group have already made life difficult in practice. "They've been a real challenge for our offensive line," Mathis admitted. "It's good for us when we start playing other people because then it's their problem."

With veteran leadership, the return of Jones, and a mix of talented transfers and underclassmen, the defensive line looks primed to be one of Cumberland's most dominant position groups this fall.

We will continue our positional preview with the offensive line tomorrow.

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Players Mentioned

#41 Eli Denton: LB; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#96 Josh Jones: DL; 6' 0"; Junior

#42 Lance Mathews: LB; 6' 0"; Junior

#92 Jaren Tatum: DL; 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman

#35 Knox Watson: LB; 5' 10"; Redshirt Freshman

#97 Wil Farris: DL; 6' 4"; Freshman

#99 KK Lemapu: DL; 6' 3"; Freshman

#47 Taevion Clarke: DL; 6' 5"; Graduate Student

#99 Woodens PierreLouis: DL; 6' 3"; Redshirt Junior

#40 Tavarius Pitts: DL; 6' 1"; Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

#41 Eli Denton
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: LB

#96 Josh Jones
: 6' 0"; Junior
: DL

#42 Lance Mathews
: 6' 0"; Junior
: LB

#92 Jaren Tatum
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman
: DL

#35 Knox Watson
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Freshman
: LB

#97 Wil Farris
: 6' 4"; Freshman
: DL

#99 KK Lemapu
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: DL

#47 Taevion Clarke
: 6' 5"; Graduate Student
: DL

#99 Woodens PierreLouis
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Junior
: DL

#40 Tavarius Pitts
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Junior
: DL