August 10, 2017-The Hornets ranked second in the MIAA in sacks last season and despite losing All-MIAA picks Eddie Vinson and DeAndre Glover, the returners this year would have ranked seventh in the league in sacks last season with 21.5 sacks returning.

Senior Donovan Walker and sophomore Tre'Vaun Ammons both started every game on the defensive line last year. Ammons had a team high seven sacks to rank fourth in the MIAA last season. He was also credited with nine quarterback hurries, five pass break ups and three forced fumbles. Walker had six sacks and nine tackles for loss with a season high two sacks against UMD in the playoffs.

Seniors Patrick Dugan and Ugonna Nwarie are both in their second season with the Hornets. They both made the most of limited playing time last year, combining for three fumble recoveries in just 13 games between the two of them. Logan Powell has played in 18 games over the last two seasons.

On the interior Ryan Smith, Jackson Maase and Marek Thompson will need to step up in order for the Hornets to be successful. Smith played in nine games with ten tackles last year, seven of which came against Missouri Southern. Maase played in four games and had a sack in the playoffs against Minn.-Duluth. Thompson is a redshirt freshman and will be making his Hornet debut this fall.


No.    Player    Pos    HT    WT    CL    Hometown    High School/Previous  School        
52     Donovan Walker     DE    6-0    260    Sr.     Cottleville, Mo.    Francis Howell HS                
54     Logan Powell     DE    6-3    248    Jr.     Gardner, Kan.    Gardner-Edgerton HS                
55     Patrick Dugan     DE    6-2    240    Sr.     Wichita, Kan.    Bishop Carroll HS/Butler CC            
60     Mark Golubski     DL    6-3    230    R-Fr.     Kansas City, Kan.    Bishop Miege HS                
65     Ryan Smith     DL    6-1    282    Jr.     Shawnee, Kan.    Mill Valley HS                
73     Camren Proby     DL    6-1    264    So.     Oklahoma City, OK    Casady HS                
90     Parker Bass     DE    6-2    220    Jr.     Emporia, Kan.    Emporia HS                
91     Marcellus Edwards     DE    6-3    250    Jr.     Indianapolis, IN    Decatur Central HS/Ark. Baptist        
93     Marek Thompson     DL    6-4    295    So.     Osceola, Mo.    Osceola HS                
94     Ugonna Nwarie     DE    6-3    255    Sr.     Arlington, Texas    Timberview HS/Trinity Valley CC        
95     Tre'Vaun Ammons     DE    6-4    204    So.     Omaha, NE    Omaha North HS                
96     Jon Denton     DL    6-6    260    Jr.     Perry, KS    Perry-Lecompton HS/Coffeyville CC        
97     Isaiah Miles     DL    6-0    275    R-Fr.     Blue Springs, MO    Blue Springs South HS            
98     Jackson Maase     DE    6-3    246    R-So.     Overland Park, KS    Blue Valley HS                
99     Dyllan Haworth     DL    6-1    290    R-Fr.     Weatherford, Okla.    Weatherford HS                
    Jakob Barnes     DL    6-3    310    Fr.     Nowata, Okla.    Nowata HS                
    Anthony Burton     DE    6-3    240    Fr.     Olympia Fields, Ill.    Rich Central HS                
    Hawkens Taylor     DE    6-2    240    Fr.     Marcus, Texas    Marcus HS                
    Miles Wade     DL    6-3    290    Fr.     Olympia Fields, Ill.    Rich Central HS                

Monday was the first of six days of position previews for the Emporia State football team.  Thursday the defensive line was featured. On Friday the defensive secondary will be featured.
Remaining Interview Dates
Aug. 11    Defensive Secondary interviews    11:40 a.m.
Aug. 12    Linebacker interviews    11:40 a.m.
Aug. 13    Special Teams/Media Day    3:30 p.m.