SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The four primary starters from last season's defensive line are no longer with the program but that does not mean the Hornets are lacking in experience. Under the watch of defensive line coach Kraig Paulson, Sacramento State has routinely used eight players on the front with the players coming in and out in four-man shifts.
 
Five players who saw significant action last year return to the 2024 team. For many of those players, they have been biding their time waiting for the departure of all-conference players who held the starting role.
 

• The interior of the line will include senior Brandon Knott and juniors Xavier Williams and Mason Brosseau. Knott has been a key cog for the team up front over the three previous seasons where he has been credited with 71 total tackles, including 3.5 for loss and three sacks.
• Williams finished 2023 with 14 total tackles in 12 games. Nine of those stops came in the final four games of the year, including a career best four tackles against UC Davis in the Causeway Classic.
• Brosseau has the ability to also play on the edge and has shown a knack to get to the quarterback. Last year, he had 12 tackles with three sacks and added three quarterback hurries.
• Josh Cashiola and Ben Ahio were both part of the rotation at defensive end during the 2023 season. Cashiola led all returning defensive linemen with 27 total tackles last year. His total included 4.5 for loss and two sacks. Cashiola began his collegiate career at San Diego as a safety and then moved to linebacker at Fresno City JC before finding a spot up front.
• Ahio played in all 13 games, starting two at defensive end. He was credited with 16 total tackles including 1.5 sacks. Ahio also intercepted a pass in the NCAA FCS Playoffs against North Dakota.
• Senior Pate Haunga and sophomore Tyler Henry will compete for a spot in the rotation at defensive tackle. Each saw limited action a year ago in their first active season with the team.
• On the edge, the returners include Fata Puloka who played nickelback and linebacker during his redshirt season in 2023 and Will Schalde who's a converted tight end. Riley Hernandez also returns after missing all of 2023 with an injury. Redshirt freshmen Kyle Stahlecker completes the list of defensive linemen who were with the team a year ago.
• The newcomers include Abilene Christian transfer Colby Warkentin, junior college transfers Elijah Hansen, Caleb Chennault and Amarian Hunter and true freshmen Jordan Snowden, Jayland McGlothen, Spencer Patton and Josh Aguilar.

 
NEWS & NOTES

• Monday's practice saw both sides of the ball record big plays in a late-practice 11-on-11 segment. Redshirt freshman Curron Borders started the fireworks with a 60+-yard dash for a touchdown. The defense bounced back with Caleb Higgins intercepting a pass and taking it the distance for a pick six.
• The team will not practice on Wednesday but will return on Thursday in full pads and take part in the first of three scheduled scrimmages.
• Offensive guard Jackson Slater continued his summer of accolades, landing on The Athletic's annual "Freaks List" which documents the top 101 players who have performed in the weight room or with their physical accomplishments.