Cal Poly Football Position Preview: Defensive Line
8/5/2024 7:07:00 PM | Football
Cal Poly football brings a ton of experience and talent to its 2024 roster, but maybe no other position more than defensive line. Returning 12 guys from that position group who were on last year’s roster, including three consistent starters in Elijah Ponder, Antonio Vakameilalo, and Josh Ngaluafe.
“Obviously there’s talent and a lot of experience with this position,” Cal Poly second year head coach Paul Wulff said. “We expect these guys to lead this football, particularly the defense. Our belief is they can be the best (defensive line) in the conference and anything other than that is not the standard we are capable of.”
It all starts with Ponder, who was an FCS All-American and First Team All-Big Sky in 2023 after leading the Big Sky and was top five in all of FCS in sacks with 10. A consistent big time performer since his redshirt freshman season, Ponder ranks seventh in Cal Poly history with 20 career sacks and has had numerous NFL scouts out to watch him practice and play.
“He’s gotten bigger and strong every year and this offseason was no different,” Wulff said of Ponder’s improvement year by year. “He’s extremely athletic, explosive. He’s got power, speed, and all the football instincts you want in a player, and he’s taken advantage of his blessings with his work ethic.”
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— Cal Poly Football (@calpolyfootball) July 29, 2024
Congrats to DE Elijah Ponder on earning another Preseason All-American honor, this time being named a Stats Perform FCS Preseason First Team All-American! ??
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The top sack getter in the Big Sky in 2023 is getting his ??
— Cal Poly Football (@calpolyfootball) July 22, 2024
Elijah Ponder has been named to the Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team!
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He’s gotten bigger and strong every year and this offseason was no different,” Wulff said of Ponder’s improvement year by year. “He’s extremely athletic, explosive. He’s got power, speed, and all the football instincts you want in a player, and he’s taken advantage of his blessings with his work ethicHead Coach Paul Wulff on Defensive End Elijah Ponder
Others back who have been starters and are expected to contribute greatly again this year are senior Antonio Vakameilalo and redshirt junior Josh Ngaluafe They have combined for 98 tackles and 17 tackles for loss in their careers thus far.
“We expect (Antonio and Josh) to be leaders and tough out there and play how they are capable of playing which is at a very high level,” said Wulff.
Other returners include juniors Soni Finau, Thomas Bouda and Mason Barbour, redshirt sophomores Jordan Sanders and Tyler Hoffman, Julius Jordan, redshirt freshmen Marquise Jones and Ish Taliauli.
Also back after sitting out last year is redshirt senior Ethan Rodriguez, who in his one season of action in 2022 started six games at nose tackle while notching 20 tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks. Wulff said he is excited about his return to the lineup to add depth.
Gallery: 2024 Defensive Line Fall Camp
As far as newcomers, the Mustangs added six new guys to the defensive line group, four freshmen and two transfers. The transfers are Victory Johnson, a redshirt freshman who came over after redshirting last season at Colorado and Matthew Nuanzez, who came from San Diego Mesa College.
“Victory Johnson has been showing some really good things early on in camp and I’m excited to see how he continues to evolve as camp goes on,” Wulff said.
