Tyrone Wheatley, Head Coach | Wayne State Warriors Men's Football
Tyrone Wheatley, Head Coach | Wayne State Warriors Men's Football
Wayne State University is continuing its preview of the 2025 football team by focusing on the defensive line, led by coach DeJuan Garland. Garland, who was a graduate assistant at Wayne State in 2018, now leads a group with significant experience, though much of it comes from other programs.
Among the defensive ends, several players have played notable minutes elsewhere before joining Wayne State. Redshirt junior Will Fennema has shifted from linebacker to rush end. Junior Darel Washington previously played 15 games for Adrian College over two seasons. Redshirt senior Devon Isaac appeared in 20 games for Lawrence Tech but missed last season at Wayne State due to injury. Ashawn Sims joins after playing 21 games at Colgate in the past two years; both Washington and Sims participated in spring practices after arriving in January.
Redshirt junior Colby Horn stands out as the most experienced returning Warrior on the defensive line, having played all 22 games across the last two seasons and making 16 starts. Joe Clark, Jr., also a redshirt junior, has played in 11 games over three years but missed all of 2024 due to injury. Redshirt sophomore Jaiden Acker started the final ten games last season.
Younger players such as redshirt freshmen Jayson Harris and Aydin Johnson each saw action in two games last year. New recruits added to increase depth at defensive end include Jacob Blair, Franklin Gallagher, Zach Green, Zion Lancaster, Jack McCowan, Andrew Pazuchowski and Tyler Torey.
At defensive tackle, sophomore Roshaun McGee returns as the most experienced player after earning the team's Defensive Rookie of the Year award for 2024. Redshirt sophomore Jordan Hutchinson played six games last year while redshirt freshman Tanielu Ah-Loe appeared in three contests.
Four transfers—Justhin Austin, Jesse Brown, Omar El Khatib and Michael Thomas—were brought in to provide additional experience at tackle. Freshmen Evan Bainbridge and Creg Johnson are expected to add further depth.
Wayne State will begin fall practice this afternoon. The home opener against Tiffin Dragons is scheduled for Thursday, September 4 with kickoff set for 6 p.m. Tickets for both season and single-game attendance are available online through the official athletics website. Supporters can also join the W-Club via the membership page.
Coach previews for other positions including quarterbacks, defensive backs, wide receivers and linebackers are also being released ahead of the upcoming season.
Alerts Sign-up