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Fall Camp 2025 Spotlight: Defensive Line
8/18/2025 5:22:00 PM | Football
DEFENSIVE LINE OUTLOOK
The defensive line lost key contributors and production from last season to graduation and the NCAA transfer portal, but with a few returning starters and added experience from the transfer portal the group is expected to bring stability up front.
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All-Mountain West selection Devo Bridges graduated after appearing in 53 games with 39 starts. Bridges started all 12 games he was available last season, recording 48 tackles and a team-high 7.5 tackles for loss. Fresno State also lost Gavriel Lightfoot, Jacob Holmes and Kavika Bayngartner, a trio that combined for 83 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss in 2025.
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Entz will have two position coaches working with the defensive line this season, with Jordan Gigli handling the tackles while Marcus Hall-Oliver oversees the edge rushers.Â
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WHO'S BACK: The returners are headlined by defensive ends Korey Foreman and Jahzon Jacks.Â
Foreman appeared in all 12 games and made one start a year ago in his first season after transferring in from USC, finishing with 24 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, three forced fumbles, four quarterback hurries and two pass breakups. His three forced fumbles tied for the third-most in a single season in program history.
In three seasons with the Bulldogs, Jacks has played in 29 games with 12 starts, posting 34 tackles (21 solo), 0.5 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and three quarterback hurries. He broke out in 2024, starting 11 of 12 games and finishing with 21 tackles and 0.5 TFL. After a strong offseason, he's poised to take another step forward in 2025.
Sione Noa adds depth at the defensive end position, appearing in all 13 games last season with two starts.Â
Auckland Asiata returns to the line at tackle. He appeared in 10 games as a true freshman, earning one start and contributing as a rotational defensive lineman. He finished the year with six tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks and a quarterback hurry. He was also one of just two true freshmen to see playing time on the defensive side of the ball.
The Bulldogs also return Jairus Satele, Xepera Merhauti, Mordecai Hines, Isiah Chala, Jr., Deijon Laffitte and Julius Gandy.Â
WHO'S NEW: The room adds eight transfers and no true freshmen.Â
Finn Claypool spent four seasons at Drake, appearing in 38 games and totaling 155 tackles, 51 tackles for loss, 30.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and three passes defended. He was a three-time All-PFL selection, PFL Defensive Player of the Year and PFL Freshman Defensive Player of the Year.Â
Two Power Four transfers join the roster in Martin Owusu (Minnesota) and Steven Scott III (Illinois).
Michael Jordan Jr. comes to Fresno State from Northern Colorado. In 2024, he totaled 52 tackles (16 solo) with 1.5 sacks and 4.0 tackles for loss, while also adding three quarterback hurries and a pass breakup. He appeared in 11 games in 2023, recording 18 tackles (seven solo), 0.5 tackles for loss and a blocked kick.
More depth was added to the room with three junior college transfers in Logan Goodspeed (Bakersfield College), Zack Metzler (Fresno City) and Noah Yeh (Saddleback College).Â
Bryson Harrington returns home to the Valley after spending the Fall of 2024 at Pittsburgh as a member of the wrestling team.Â
WHAT TO WATCH: With an experienced secondary and a linebacker corps that's shaping up stronger than expected, the Bulldogs' defense could be a force this season, if the defensive line can find the right mix of returning players and newcomers.
Â
The defensive line lost key contributors and production from last season to graduation and the NCAA transfer portal, but with a few returning starters and added experience from the transfer portal the group is expected to bring stability up front.
Â
All-Mountain West selection Devo Bridges graduated after appearing in 53 games with 39 starts. Bridges started all 12 games he was available last season, recording 48 tackles and a team-high 7.5 tackles for loss. Fresno State also lost Gavriel Lightfoot, Jacob Holmes and Kavika Bayngartner, a trio that combined for 83 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss in 2025.
 Â
Entz will have two position coaches working with the defensive line this season, with Jordan Gigli handling the tackles while Marcus Hall-Oliver oversees the edge rushers.Â
Â
WHO'S BACK: The returners are headlined by defensive ends Korey Foreman and Jahzon Jacks.Â
Foreman appeared in all 12 games and made one start a year ago in his first season after transferring in from USC, finishing with 24 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, three forced fumbles, four quarterback hurries and two pass breakups. His three forced fumbles tied for the third-most in a single season in program history.
In three seasons with the Bulldogs, Jacks has played in 29 games with 12 starts, posting 34 tackles (21 solo), 0.5 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and three quarterback hurries. He broke out in 2024, starting 11 of 12 games and finishing with 21 tackles and 0.5 TFL. After a strong offseason, he's poised to take another step forward in 2025.
Sione Noa adds depth at the defensive end position, appearing in all 13 games last season with two starts.Â
Auckland Asiata returns to the line at tackle. He appeared in 10 games as a true freshman, earning one start and contributing as a rotational defensive lineman. He finished the year with six tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks and a quarterback hurry. He was also one of just two true freshmen to see playing time on the defensive side of the ball.
The Bulldogs also return Jairus Satele, Xepera Merhauti, Mordecai Hines, Isiah Chala, Jr., Deijon Laffitte and Julius Gandy.Â
WHO'S NEW: The room adds eight transfers and no true freshmen.Â
Finn Claypool spent four seasons at Drake, appearing in 38 games and totaling 155 tackles, 51 tackles for loss, 30.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and three passes defended. He was a three-time All-PFL selection, PFL Defensive Player of the Year and PFL Freshman Defensive Player of the Year.Â
Two Power Four transfers join the roster in Martin Owusu (Minnesota) and Steven Scott III (Illinois).
Michael Jordan Jr. comes to Fresno State from Northern Colorado. In 2024, he totaled 52 tackles (16 solo) with 1.5 sacks and 4.0 tackles for loss, while also adding three quarterback hurries and a pass breakup. He appeared in 11 games in 2023, recording 18 tackles (seven solo), 0.5 tackles for loss and a blocked kick.
More depth was added to the room with three junior college transfers in Logan Goodspeed (Bakersfield College), Zack Metzler (Fresno City) and Noah Yeh (Saddleback College).Â
Bryson Harrington returns home to the Valley after spending the Fall of 2024 at Pittsburgh as a member of the wrestling team.Â
WHAT TO WATCH: With an experienced secondary and a linebacker corps that's shaping up stronger than expected, the Bulldogs' defense could be a force this season, if the defensive line can find the right mix of returning players and newcomers.
Â
FB Weekly Press Conference [9/29]
Monday, September 29
Jeff Tedford to be inducted into the Fresno State Football Ring of Honor
Tuesday, September 23
FB highlight at Hawai'i [9/20/25]
Monday, September 22
Instant Highlight: Fresno State 23, Hawaii 21
Sunday, September 21