University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Position Preview: UNC Defensive Line & Edge Rushers
8/24/2023 9:00:00 AM | Football
GREELEY, Colo. -- The University of Northern Colorado football team is busy preparing for the 2023 campaign. Over the next two weeks, the UNC position groups will be featured.
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Defensive Line & Edge Rushers
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#34 – David Hoage, 6-3, 245, R-Jr., Denver, Colo.
#50 – Sam Iongi-Amituanai, 6-2, 300, Jr.,Mapusagafou, American Samoa
#53 – Dominic Butts, 6-5, 240, Fr.,Severance, Colo.
#55 – Brooks Maile, 6-4, 285, R-Fr.,Saint George, Utah
#58 – Ryan Capasso, 6-4, 260, R-Jr.,Broomfield, Colo.
#59 – Layton Wright, 6-3, 270, So.,Monument, Colo.
#90 – Solomon Wacays, 6-1, 290, R-So., Denver, Colo.
#92 – Nick Norris, 6-4, 262, Jr., Fort Morgan, Colo.
#94 – Jax Brown, 6-3, 280, R-Fr.,Sulphur Springs, Texas
#95 – Garrett Bean, 6-0, 260, Jr., Eaton, Colo.
#97 – Brody Bliek, 6-2, 275, Fr., Castle Rock, Colo.
#99 – Michael Jordan Jr., 6-2, 280, R-Jr.,Pasadena, Calif.
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Every rep is an opportunity.
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That's been the mindset of the defensive line and edge rushers under the leadership of the leadership of their position coach Aaron Fernandez.
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"The defensive line as a whole has poured into the hard hat mentality," Fernandez said. "Come to work and do your job. We take an approach every day to show progression and grow to be the best version of ourselves."
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The returners and newcomers have come together.
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"We had a strong core of guys that were already here and a good group of newcomers that have meshed together to form this unit," added Fernandez. "It's all about the unit and each guy making their reps count, not counting their reps."
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One of Fernandez's student-athletes that will have a lot of attention is David Hoage.
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The Smokey Hill High School product returns after sitting out in 2022 due to injury. Despite now playing a down last season, Hoage has garnered preseason All-American honors and is a leader on the defense.
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"David continues to mold his game mentally and I think we see that show up in all facets whether it's run, pass, play action," Fernandez said. "We'll rely on his experience and it's going to be an asset."
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Hoage had a great 2021 campaign. Hoage was a Third-Team All-America selection by AP and Stats Performance and First-Team Sophomore All-America selection by Hero Sports He was a Second-Team All-Big Sky Conference selection and led the Big Sky and ranked third in the nation with 22 tackles for a loss. Hoage set the program's DI single-season record for sacks with 10.5 and was the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week after recording eight tackles, four and a half tackles for a loss, three sacks, and recovering two fumbles against Houston Baptist. Also recorded 70 tackles on the year, 39 solo, and led the team with eight QB hurries.
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Tickets on Sale
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UNC football season and single-game tickets are on sale. The Bears play a challenging home schedule with five teams that qualified for the 2022 playoffs and host preseason top 10 Incarnate Word on September 9.
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Tickets can be purchased at uncbears.com/tickets or call 970-351-4849.
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Defensive Line & Edge Rushers
Â
#34 – David Hoage, 6-3, 245, R-Jr., Denver, Colo.
#50 – Sam Iongi-Amituanai, 6-2, 300, Jr.,Mapusagafou, American Samoa
#53 – Dominic Butts, 6-5, 240, Fr.,Severance, Colo.
#55 – Brooks Maile, 6-4, 285, R-Fr.,Saint George, Utah
#58 – Ryan Capasso, 6-4, 260, R-Jr.,Broomfield, Colo.
#59 – Layton Wright, 6-3, 270, So.,Monument, Colo.
#90 – Solomon Wacays, 6-1, 290, R-So., Denver, Colo.
#92 – Nick Norris, 6-4, 262, Jr., Fort Morgan, Colo.
#94 – Jax Brown, 6-3, 280, R-Fr.,Sulphur Springs, Texas
#95 – Garrett Bean, 6-0, 260, Jr., Eaton, Colo.
#97 – Brody Bliek, 6-2, 275, Fr., Castle Rock, Colo.
#99 – Michael Jordan Jr., 6-2, 280, R-Jr.,Pasadena, Calif.
Â
Every rep is an opportunity.
Â
That's been the mindset of the defensive line and edge rushers under the leadership of the leadership of their position coach Aaron Fernandez.
Â
"The defensive line as a whole has poured into the hard hat mentality," Fernandez said. "Come to work and do your job. We take an approach every day to show progression and grow to be the best version of ourselves."
Â
The returners and newcomers have come together.
Â
"We had a strong core of guys that were already here and a good group of newcomers that have meshed together to form this unit," added Fernandez. "It's all about the unit and each guy making their reps count, not counting their reps."
Â
One of Fernandez's student-athletes that will have a lot of attention is David Hoage.
Â
The Smokey Hill High School product returns after sitting out in 2022 due to injury. Despite now playing a down last season, Hoage has garnered preseason All-American honors and is a leader on the defense.
Â
"David continues to mold his game mentally and I think we see that show up in all facets whether it's run, pass, play action," Fernandez said. "We'll rely on his experience and it's going to be an asset."
Â
Hoage had a great 2021 campaign. Hoage was a Third-Team All-America selection by AP and Stats Performance and First-Team Sophomore All-America selection by Hero Sports He was a Second-Team All-Big Sky Conference selection and led the Big Sky and ranked third in the nation with 22 tackles for a loss. Hoage set the program's DI single-season record for sacks with 10.5 and was the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week after recording eight tackles, four and a half tackles for a loss, three sacks, and recovering two fumbles against Houston Baptist. Also recorded 70 tackles on the year, 39 solo, and led the team with eight QB hurries.
Â
Tickets on Sale
Â
UNC football season and single-game tickets are on sale. The Bears play a challenging home schedule with five teams that qualified for the 2022 playoffs and host preseason top 10 Incarnate Word on September 9.
Â
Tickets can be purchased at uncbears.com/tickets or call 970-351-4849.
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