ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Griffon Football's fifth Position Preview hones in on one side of the all-important trenches with the deepest depth chart on the team — the defensive line.
There is no question who is the deepest group on the Griffon football roster this season. Defensive Line Coach
Fred Wyatt boasts 18 players on his defensive line, and he sees a lot of guys getting reps. He knows just how important a good defensive line is, too.
"I want to see a group that that spreads the love," Wyatt said. "Defensive ends kind of got the limelight toward the end of the year. They started getting some sacks and making plays, I want that to be across the board, defensive and defensive tackles. But overall as a defense, our defense goes as this room goes."
Wyatt brings back some serious talent. Junior
C.J. Ravenell put up serious stats last year with seven sacks and 10 tackles for loss.
Brandon Johnson started over half the games for the Griffons last season.
A.J. Crayton returns hunting a place on the leader board of all-time sack leaders at MWSU.
Wyatt also has ridiculous depth. He sees MWSU playing with two groups of players who can make plays plus two extra players to rotate in.
"We try to keep to two rows, so, two deep and at least one extra defensive tackle one extra D-end — that's kind of the sweet spot," Wyatt said. "I definitely have more that can that can play, which is great. We've got a number of guys that show it now. Hopefully, they show it when the lights come on, but right now in practice, it looks like they enjoy it."
#44 - JUNIOR - C.J. RAVENELL
2021 Stats (team rank)
Games/Starts: 9/9
Tackles: 36 (6th)
Tackles for a Loss: 10 (1st)
Sacks: 7 (1st)
High School/Hometown: Golden Valley/Santa Clarita, Ca.
Height and Weight: 6-5, 260
MWSU Career Stats
Games: 21
Tackles: 72
Tackles for a Loss: 9.5
Sacks: 9
Wyatt Word Association: Freaky
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Last year's Third Team All-MIAA defensive end returns to make his mark once again on MIAA backfields. The Santa Clarita native starts his fourth year at Missouri Western looking to once again make all-conference lists.
Coach Wyatt says he is excited to see where Ravenell is at after ending last season strong with three-and-half sacks at Lincoln —which was half a sack shy of tying the program game record.
"He's explosive, and he's starting to move really well," Wyatt said. "Much better this fall than since I've been here. He's making a lot more plays."
Ravenell is looking to lead a young and deep defensive line group, but he's also looking to get in the record books. The junior has nine career sacks already to his name. If he can produce another season similar to last year, he will find himself firmly in the top 10 for all-time sack leaders at MWSU. Ravenell also forced two fumbles and collected five QB hits last season.
#94 - SOPHOMORE - BRANDON JOHNSON
2021 Stats (team rank)
Games/Starts 11/6
Tackles: 26 (T-9th)
Tackles for loss 1.5 (12th)
Sacks: .5 (T-7th)
High School/Hometown: Booneville/ Booneville, Mo.
Height and Weight: 6-4, 295
Coach Wyatt Word Association: Dominant
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Johnson is looking to build on his All-MIAA Third Team selection from last year. Johnson hails from Booneville, Missouri. He established himself as a starter in the second half of the season last year, starting the last five games.
"He is becoming a very well-rounded defensive tackle and is having a great camp," Wyatt said. "He's becoming a leader. It's good for the group to have somebody who has been kind of working their way up do that.".
Johnson's successful freshman season will be remembered by what might be the play of his career so far — a scoop-and-score for 50 yards to open the scoring against Northwest Missouri State in week four.
#92 - SENIOR - A.J. CRAYTON
2021 Stats (team rank)
Games/Starts: 11/10
Tackles: 14 (20th)
Tackles for loss: 3.5 (T-6th)
Sacks: 2 (T-4th)
High School/Hometown: Cy-Fair/Houston, Tx.
Height and Weight: 6-3, 266
MWSU Career Stats
Games: 32
Tackles: 71
Tackles for a Loss: 18
Passes Defended: 5
Sacks: 10
Coach Wyatt Word Association: The Vet
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A.J. Crayton has earned his nickname of "The Vet". Crayton joined the MWSU program in 2017. He redshirted his freshman year, and has been a consistent starter ever since. He has consistently played in every game for MWSU, making the MIAA Honorable Mention list in 2019. The Houston, TX native knows his way around the defense.
"He knows what he's got to do. He does it. He's making sure everybody else is following suit" says Coach Wyatt. "He's the old head in the room. He wants to go out with the bang, so he's carrying everybody along with him, which is good."
Crayton is another Griffon eyeing the record books. His 10 career sacks put him just one-and-a-half shy of Daniel Atkinson in 10th place in Griffon history.
#40 - JUNIOR - DAKARI STREETER
2021 Stats (team rank)
Games/Starts: 10/1
Tackles: 21 (11th)
Tackles for loss: 6.5 (2nd)
Sacks: 4 (2nd)
High School/Hometown: Pattonville/Bridgeton, Mo.
Height and Weight: 6-2, 255
Coach Wyatt Word Association: Electric
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Dakari Streeter was one of the statistical leaders on the Griffon defense last year. He consistently was in the backfield causing havoc, including a three-sack performance during week 10's 59-28 dominating beat down of Central Missouri. Streeter's three sacks in that game ties him for third place in a single contest.
The Bridgeton, Missouri, native showed he knows how to blow up a play in the backfield, or get to a QB early.
"He's electric," Wyatt said. "He's got a great instinct for the pass rush. He was turning it on at the end of last season. Totally excited to see him do it and put it together.".
Streeter goes into his junior year with five sacks to his name in just 15 games. The junior joins a deep and talented group of defensive ends that look to be one of the strongest positions the Griffons have this season.
#55 - JUNIOR - TYLEN WALLACE
2021 Stats (team rank)
Games/Starts: 10/5
Tackles: 17 (t-14th)
Tackles for loss: 2.5 (t-10th)
Sacks: .5 (t-7th)
High School/Hometown: Schlagle/Kansas City, Mo.
Height and Weight: 6-4, 297
MWSU Career Stats
Games: 17
Tackles: 29
Tackles for a Loss: 1
Sacks: 1
Coach Wyatt Word Association: Exciting
One of the only upper classmen in the defensive line room,
Tylen Wallace brings more experience and understanding of the defense. The Kansas City native redshirted in 2018 and put together a decent freshman campaign in 2019. He found 12 tackles, half a sack and a caused fumble with a fumble recovery.
"He's high energy," Wyatt said. "He's going to be the one that's going get everybody going on sideline in games. He's going to make sure that everybody's juiced up. He backs it up with how he plays."
Wyatt will continue to rely on Wallace to bring the energy every game as a leader on and off the field.
#99 - SOPHOMORE - ISON ROBINSON
2021 Stats (team rank)
Games/Starts: 6/0
Tackles: 8 (24th)
Height and Weight: 6-0, 275
Coach Wyatt Word Association: Bright Spot
The Bolingbrook, Illinois, native came on well at the end of the year, appearing in the last five games of the season. Five of
Ison Robinson's eight tackles were unassisted. Wyatt has been impressed with the two-year player.
"He has really developed into a great defensive tackle and I don't throw that word out lightly," Wyatt said. "He's done things that young guys struggled to do at that position, so he is becoming a bright spot for us. He will take a lot of snaps this year, which is good."
Robinson saw limited snaps in the beginning of the year last year but rapidly improved and earned his spot on the field. He was an all-area player in high school, leading his team in tackles for loss. He was the defensive MVP his senior year.
#42-SOPHOMORE-GARRETT WATSON
2021 Stats (team rank)
Games/Starts: 9/0
Tackles: 23 (11th)
Tackles for loss: 3.5 (t-6th)
Sacks: 2.5 (3rd)
High School/Hometown: Platte County/ Platte City, Mo.
Height and Weight: 6-2, 255
Coach Wyatt Word Association: "Mr. Do It All"
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Although he missed the first two games of the season last year,
Garrett Watson took no time getting things rolling. The Platte City native found himself in the backfield quite often last year and made an impact all over the field, He ended the 2021 season strong with sacks against Central Missouri (1.5) and Lincoln (1).
"He can do things in pass rush, stop the run and you can move him inside and do things with him there," Wyatt said. "He's just a utility guy."
Along with his impressive stats above, Watson also forced a fumble and broke up two passes last season. Watson was a decorated high school recruit, being named to the first team all-state and awarded the Suburban Blue Defensive Player of the Year award.
#95 - SOPHOMORE - TANNER VANELSEN
Height and Weight: 6-2, 266
High School/Hometown: Southeast Polk/Pleasant Hill, Ia.
Coach Wyatt Word Association: Hungry
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Tanner VanElsen unfortunately saw his 2021 and first season as a Griffon cut short due to injury. He comes to MWSU by way of Pleasant Hill, Iowa. He had a very successful high school career, being named to multiple writers' associations first team all-state teams. He was inducted into his school's "Hall of Champions."
This will be VanElsen's fifth year at Missouri Western since he redshirted in 2020. He bolstered up from 245 to 266 pounds this offseason.
"He's hungry to get back out there," Wyatt said. "He's moving around well. He's going to give us some snaps and is going to help bolster the inside."
#52 - JUNIOR - JERIMIAH HAYES
High School/Previous School/Hometown: Cardinal Ritter/SE Missouri/St. Louis, Mo.
Height and Weight: 6-0, 300
Coach Wyatt Word Association: Energy
Jerimiah Hayes is an FCS transfer, transferring to MWSU by way of Southeast Missouri State University. The St. Louis native had an impressive senior season at Cardinal Ritter High School, recording 113 tackles, 6 forced fumbles and 5 fumble recoveries. He ended his high school career with a first team all-conference honor, as well as a selection to the all-district second team.
"He is a defensive tackle. He lives for playing the position, down and dirty, just being violent and nasty inside," Wyatt said. "He's brought that to the group. He's also an energy guy he likes to play. He's enjoyed being out there."
#97 - JUNIOR - NICK HUNTER
Height and Weight: 6-1, 283
High School/Previous School/Hometown: Christ the King/Buffalo/Queens, Ny.
Coach Wyatt Word Association: Potential
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Hunter joins Missouri Western from FBS school Buffalo. He had an excellent high school career at Christ the King High School, recording 113 tackles. He also had one interception and one forced fumble.
The Queens, New York, native brings knowledge and DI FBS experience to the Griffon roster. Wyatt likes what he's seen from Hunter this fall.
"He's done some things this camp has shown me that he's got the potential."
#41 - JUNIOR - MICHAEL MCDONALD
2021 Stats (Cisco College)
Games played: 9
Tackles: 36 (9th)
Tackles for Loss: 2 (T-5th)
High School/Previous School/Hometown: Nimitz/Cisco College/Houston, Tx.
Wyatt Word Association: Twitch
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Michael McDonald come to MWSU from Houston, Texas. He played his first two years at Cisco College and was a big part of their defensive line. McDonald transferred to Missouri Western in the winter, giving him more time to be with his teammates.
Wyatt thinks he has the potential to be a very important piece going forward.
"He's a very high-twitch guy that's making sure that he's going to win," Wyatt said. "He's out there. He's trying to make plays. He's continuing to learn the defense and master that. But once he does, he's going to be a pretty impressive football player."
#90 - SOPHOMORE - TREY NESBITT
High School/Hometown: Farragut/Knoxville, Tn.
Height and Weight: 6-3, 251
Wyatt Word Association: Weight Room
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Trey Nesbitt took his redshirt last year, but Wyatt says that he has made serious improvement in the last year since singing on. In the past year, Nesbitt has put on 16 pounds, bulking up for his defensive end position while changing his number from 96 to 90.
"Last year he has made leaps and bounds," Wyatt said.
The Knoxville native brings an impressive stature to the Griffons roster. Wyatt feels he can be the guy to step up if anyone goes down.
#96 - SOPHOMORE - ZEKE WAISNER
High School/Hometown: Smithville/Smithville, Mo.
Height and Weight: 6-5, 229
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Zeke Waisner didn't see action last season but brings lots to the DE table as a local talent with first team all-district and second team all-conference selections at Smithville. He's put in significant work this offseason in order to be ready to help the Griffons. Wyatt says all the work is paying off for him after adding 14 pounds to his frame.
#58 - SOPHOMORE - MARVIN GANT
High School/Hometown: Hazelwood Central/Florissant Mo.
Height and Weight: 6-3, 267
Wyatt Word Association: Athlete
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Defensive tackle
Marvin Gant spent his time as an edge rusher last season, but Wyatt has moved him inside this year. The Florissant, Missouri, native has had to work hard this offseason to make the changes needed to learn his new role.
"He's grown," Wyatt said. "He's learning positions. He's an athletic kid that can make things happen."
Wyatt feels confident that Gant can keep learning and be successful at his new position thanks to the 22 pounds he packed on recently. In high school, Gant gained first and second team all-conference honors in his three years starting.
#91-FRESHMAN-GRANT FINLEY
High School/Hometown: Chaminade/St. Louis, Mo.
Height and Weight: 6-4, 239
Wyatt Word Association: Strong
Grant Finley is a true freshman from St. Louis, Missouri. Finley had an impressive high school career, capped off by being named a three-star recruit by 6 Star Football.
The young defensive lineman has come in and impressed Wyatt this fall.
"He is very strong for a freshman," Wyatt said. "He holds up well against the older guys. He's athletic, and he can do things at the defensive end spot that not a lot of freshmen can do. I'm excited. He's got a big upside. I'm excited to see him grow."
#43 - FRESHMAN - BRAYDON WICKLIFFE
High School/Hometown: Goddard/Goddard, Ks.
Height and Weight: 6-1, 300
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Braydon Wickliffe comes from Goddard, Kansas. He was a standout defensive tackle in high school, recording 244 tackles, 16.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in his time at Goddard High School. The Kansas native will look to break plays up in the middle whenever he gets the chance.
FRESHMAN - BRAXTON WHITE
High School/Hometown: Texarkana/Texarkana, Tx.
Height and Weight: 6-4, 220
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Braxton White comes from Texarkana, TX. The true freshman brings a lot to the table. He was recruited by multiple FBS schools but eventually chose MWSU over all his other offers. Coming out of high school 247Sports had White listed as a three-star defensive tackle.
FRESHMAN - KHALID SEREAL
High School/Hometown: Dickinson/Dickinson, Tx.
Height and Weight: 6-4, 210
Khalid Sereal comes from Dickinson, Texas. His 6-4 frame is impressive and he uses that well to make plays. He has speed off the edge and can be a threat to the backfield at any time.
Overall, this group really excites Wyatt, as he says room has a nice mix of young and old.
"They're all going to a be able to make the plays," Wyatt said. It's just going be an exciting group to watch. When the lights are turned on, do they live up to the to the challenges that have been laid before them? I think they can come out and bring it."
