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/ FootballKurt Holuba (pictured), Ty Desiré and Rohan Hylton all return to a Princeton defense that could be one of the best in the league at creating pressure.
Photo by: Beverly Schaefer
VIDEO: Front-Seven Returners Could Bolster Tiger Defense To Elite Ivy Level
September 06, 2016 | Football
In the midst of a grueling training camp — and now less than two weeks for the season opener — defensive co-coordinators Jim Salgado and Steve Verbit must allow themselves a moment to smile when they see the familiar faces back on the field.
Go back 21 months, to right around the conclusion of the 2014 season. Defensive lineman Ty Desiré and Rohan Hylton were both underclassman who earned All-Ivy recognition, while fellow lineman Kurt Holuba was a top contender for Rookie of the Year honors. That trio seemed prime to lead a defense that could challenge any in the Ivy League moving forward.
Unfortunately, they combined to play a total of one full Ivy game all of last season.
Desiré, Holuba and Hylton are back, healthy and ready to begin another push towards an Ivy League championship. They will fortify a defense that saw several returners — namely Henry Schlossberg, RJ Paige and Luke Catarius — step up in their absense. Most thought Schlossberg would be the great beneficiary of Desiré and Holuba by attracting single blockers all season; instead, he turned into the driving force on the defensive line, and quickly became the focal point of blocking schemes.
You can't double-team Holuba, Desiré AND Schlossberg this season. Well, you can, but that doesn't leave much to defend a seasoned set of linebackers. Hylton made 75 tackles during his All-Ivy sophomore season, and already had 36 through less than half of his junior season before a season-ending injury at Brown. Catarius jumped in and made 73 tackles — despite making only five starts — and earned All-Ivy honors at the position.
In an era dominated by offenses, creating pressure up front is a must for any successful defense. Salgado and Hylton had the pieces last year, but they just couldn't stay on the field.
If they can this season, it should be something to behold.
Go back 21 months, to right around the conclusion of the 2014 season. Defensive lineman Ty Desiré and Rohan Hylton were both underclassman who earned All-Ivy recognition, while fellow lineman Kurt Holuba was a top contender for Rookie of the Year honors. That trio seemed prime to lead a defense that could challenge any in the Ivy League moving forward.
Unfortunately, they combined to play a total of one full Ivy game all of last season.
Desiré, Holuba and Hylton are back, healthy and ready to begin another push towards an Ivy League championship. They will fortify a defense that saw several returners — namely Henry Schlossberg, RJ Paige and Luke Catarius — step up in their absense. Most thought Schlossberg would be the great beneficiary of Desiré and Holuba by attracting single blockers all season; instead, he turned into the driving force on the defensive line, and quickly became the focal point of blocking schemes.
You can't double-team Holuba, Desiré AND Schlossberg this season. Well, you can, but that doesn't leave much to defend a seasoned set of linebackers. Hylton made 75 tackles during his All-Ivy sophomore season, and already had 36 through less than half of his junior season before a season-ending injury at Brown. Catarius jumped in and made 73 tackles — despite making only five starts — and earned All-Ivy honors at the position.
In an era dominated by offenses, creating pressure up front is a must for any successful defense. Salgado and Hylton had the pieces last year, but they just couldn't stay on the field.
If they can this season, it should be something to behold.
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