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Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Severe Losses To Graduation, NFL, Force D Line To Become Heavy Early Focus
September 05, 2014 | Football
VIDEO PREVIEW SERIES LINKS: Offensive Line l Receivers/Tight Ends l Quarterbacks/Running Backs l Defensive Line
WRITTEN PREVIEW SERIES LINKS: Offensive Line l Receivers/Tight Ends l Quarterbacks/Running Backs l Defensive Line
TWITTER: @PUTigers l PUTIgerFootball
PRESEASON CAMP: Schedule
NOTE: We understand the earlier videos did not run smoothly, which is an error we are working to correct. In the meantime, the above links take you to a more stable method of viewing the earlier previews.
When Princeton was picked to finish last in the Ivy League prior to the 2012 season, nobody had an idea of how impactful the duo of Mike Catapano and Caraun Reid would be on a vastly improved Tiger defense.
Now Princeton is picked to finish first, and nobody has an idea how this line will fare without either of its eventual NFL Draftees.
GoPrincetonTigers.com turns the focus to the defense, and the fourth part of the 2014 Princeton Football Preview Series previews a youthful line.
WHO'S BACK?
The junior tandem of Evan Kappatos and Ian McGeary return with the most experience on the defensive line. McGeary has been a member of the rotation for the last two seasons, though he has only five career tackles on his resumé. Kappatos had eight tackles, including 1.5 sacks last season, but he only has one year of defensive experience after spending his freshman season at the fullback position.
Sophomore Ty Desiré had the opportunity to serve an apprenticeship behind Reid last season, and he is looking to make a bigger impact in the upcoming season. He came in with impressive ability to rush the passer, but he worked hard in the run game during the offseason. That will allow him to be more of a three-down lineman, though his strength should still remain on pass defense.
WHO'S GONE?
Um, the starters.
Caraun Reid's offseason journey to the Detroit Lions has been well-publicized, but Princeton will miss fellow starters Greg Sotereanos and Matt Landry significantly. Sotereanos was an anchor in the middle of the defensive line for three years, while Landry punctuated his career with his best season. Sotereanos was a big reason Princeton had a top-three rushing defense over the last two years, and Landry contributed six tackles for loss and three sacks last season.
And then there was Reid, whose impact simply can't be judged solely by numbers (and this is a guy who recorded seven tackles, including four for loss, and three sacks in his finale). Reid commanded attention, often from multiple linemen, and he made his teammates' job easier. Somebody may approach his numbers this season, but it's unlikely anybody will be as impactful.
WHO COULD ALSO MAKE AN IMPACT?
Senior Victor Prato and junior Dan Dreher are upperclassmen who could see a solid increase in playing time this season. Prato is more likely to compete on the outside, while Dreher will compete to fill the inside void left by Sotereanos. Sophomore Henry Schlossberg is also a big, physical presence who could be part of the inside rotation.
Head coach Bob Surace was excited about his incoming freshmen, a group led by Bergen Catholic graduate Kurt Holuba. A highly touted recruit at the position, he is the most likely to see early playing time on the outside, as he came in with impressive skills as a pass rusher. Classmates Logan Dziak and Zach Kuehm have also impressed and could become factors at the nose position.
A FEW NUMBERS TO KNOW …
0 • Defensive line starts made by any current Princeton player in his career.
126.5 • Rushing yards allowed per game last season, the second-best total in the Ivy League. It may be asking too much to match that number in 2014, but anything within 10 yards of that may remain in the top half of the league standings.
1982-83 • The last time Princeton had players selected in back-to-back NFL Drafts (Bob Holly and Jon Schultheis). Mike Catapano and Caraun Reid showed that you could turn Princeton Saturdays into professional Sundays.