2016 Frontier Football Preview: Defensive Linemen

The Frontier Conference will have its share of star running backs and star quarterbacks this fall. And, that should make for an intriguing battle because the guys charged with stopping those stars are stars in their own right.

Yes, the league is packed full of top-rated defensive linemen, including two of the best pass rushers in all of NAIA football.

One of those pass rushers resides in Havre in Montana State University-Northern senior defensive end Tyler Craig. The 6-2, 230-pound Craig, a native of Great Falls, is entering his fourth year of starting for the Lights, and, his last year of what’s been a remarkable career. As a sophomore, Craig paced the Frontier in sacks with 11, and he racked up 10 more last season. In his last three years, Craig has nearly 30 sacks and another 40-plus tackles for loss, while also being productive when not rushing the passer. Last season, the ferocious Craig racked up 82 total tackles.

But Craig, who’s poised for an All-American senior season isn’t alone. He’s one piece of a senior-laden front four returning for the Lights. On the inside, Northern is also veteran-laden with seniors Pat Barnett (6-2, 265) and Lane Urick (6-1, 285) back as two of the top defensive tackles in the league. And together, the senior trio gives Northern and defensive coordinator Jake Eldridge one of the best front fours in the conference.

The Frontier also returns its top sack master from a year ago in UM-Western senior Reno Ward (6-2, 255). Ward blasted his way past opposing lines and harassed quarterbacks to the tune of 12 sacks and 69 tackles last season, in earning First-Team All-Conference and All-American honors. Ward also has a strong mate on the inside in senior tackle Tyrell Penner (6-3, 270), and, with another loaded group of linebackers behind the Bulldog duo, Western’s defense should have a lot of bite to it again this season.

So too should new head coach Jason Petrino’s front line at Rocky Mountain College. Austin Chamberlain (6-3, 250, Sr.), Seth Swandal (6-1, 250, Jr.) and Brendon Johnson (6-1, 285, Sr.) all return, after wreaking havoc on opposing offensive lines last season. Johnson is a load, as he garnered 10.5 tackles for loss a season ago, and like Northern and Western, the Rocky trio is a very veteran group and should be very good.

Eastern Oregon also has a top pass-rushing duo returning. Kyle Lanoue (6-1, 260) is a three-year starter who has totaled 19 sacks in his career, but is also excellent against the run. Converted linebacker Dalton Morgan (6-2, 229) is also a physical beast and could be very productive on the edge this season for the Mounties.

Other top defensive linemen to watch this fall include, Southern Oregon junior Sam Woods (5-11, 280). A stout tackle, Woods garnered 7.5 sacks a season ago, and will be the anchor of SOU’s defensive front. Carroll College has a young defensive line this season, but junior tackle Beaugh Meyer (6-2, 275) is expected to be the big piece in the middle, while Montana Tech’s dangerous defense is led by tackle Tyrel Sanders (6-2, 265), who had 34 tackles and 2.5 sacks a year ago. College of Idaho tackle Matt Crispo (6-1, 275) is also a big inside presence for the Yotes and head coach Mike Moroski.

Editor's Note: This is the third in a series of stories previewing the top players in the Frontier Conference at each position. On Friday, the HDN will take a look at the top offensive linemen in the league.