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Last season marked a significant step in the right direction for the YSU defensive front, as the Penguins were able to flip a 2024 unit that surrendered nearly 200 rushing yards per game and failed to generate penetration throughout much of the campaign.
In 2025, YSU held teams to around 141 rushing yards per game and four yards per attempt, signifying an extreme emphasis was placed on physicality and setting the tone up front. In addition to the success of the unit, several defensive linemen were able to put up impressive numbers.
Michael Wells erupted as one of the Penguins’ most athletic and versatile players, earning First Team All-MVFC recognition after totaling 50 tackles, 15 TFLs, and 10.5 sacks. Utah State transfer defensive tackle Collin Vaughn racked up 45 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and two sacks, turning into a relentless force in the middle.
Several players fast-tracked their individual development, and big-time transfer additions changed the narrative of the room. Ebony Curry Jr. and Connor Johannesen took huge strides after being thrown into the fire in 2024, while transfers Cameron Cunningham, Parker Jacobs, and Thomas Jolly stabilized the room furthermore.
It was a solid season for the front line, as YSU was able to survive injuries from multiple starters. The depth turned out to be one of the most surprising factors of the defensive line with the Penguins holding up well late in the season despite several missing pieces.
With a lot of returning talent and high expectations, YSU will look to construct a championship-caliber defensive line and build its most dominant unit under the leadership of defensive line coach Ray Hunter.
YSU returns three of four starters from last fall, with a total of six significant contributors coming back for another go-around.
Ebony Curry Jr. (6-5, 250) developed into a game wrecker off the edge last season, emerging as one of YSU’s top pure pass rushers despite missing notable time due to injury. He registered 16 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks.
Another defensive end that significantly elevated his game last year was Michael Wells (6-3, 250). Following a frustrating 2024 season, the YSU coaching staff elected to utilize Wells as a hybrid DE/LB. Wells' athleticism enabled the Penguins to experiment with different formations, and search to maximize his potential.
In the middle of the defensive front, Thomas Jolly (6-3, 305) returns after suffering a season-ending injury. When Jolly played, he was relentless, showcasing his ability to both stop the run and pursue the quarterback. The Cleveland native posted eight tackles and 1.5 TFLs in four starts.
DT Connor Johannesen (6-4, 275), DE Ajayi Ajaga (6-4, 240), and DE Andrew Jackson-Dunaway (6-2, 245) further bolster an already deep rotation.
YSU will have to replace starters Collin Vaughn (6-2, 285) and Cameron Cunningham (6-3, 305) at defensive tackle.
Vaughn was a multi-dimensional piece for the Penguins, serving as both an effective pass rusher and run stopper. He graduated from Youngstown State after a successful senior campaign.
Cunningham elected to hit the transfer portal and ended up signing with UAB. At 6-3, 305, Cunningham’s sheer size gave a lot of teams matchup issues. YSU will need to find a replacement for his high-level run stopping ability.
The YSU coaching staff landed two huge portal pieces.
Jordan Pritchard-Sewell (6-1, 290) is an Akron native who spent two seasons at Holy Cross, where he was able to earn a starting role and complement that with production. Last year, Pritchard-Sewell recorded 15 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, one sack and one pass deflection.
His high school resume speaks to his potential upside, as Pritchard-Sewell combined for 199 tackles, 104 TFLs, and 42 sacks with Archbishop Hoban. With a rapid getoff and elite pass rushing skills for a defensive tackle, Pritchard-Sewell will push hard for a starting role
Conlan Greene (6-4, 285) transfers in from FBS Temple after an intriguing journey. Despite producing solid numbers on the defensive front in 2023 (19 tackles) and seeing action in 12 contests, Greene switched to special teams in 2024 and 2025.
He has a proven track record of success at the high school level, totaling 47 tackles, two sacks, and one fumble recovery as a senior while also receiving a First Team All-Conference Defensive End nod. Greene boasts a massive frame, and figures to be a major part of YSU’s run defense efforts next season.
This is the rotation that makes the most sense when considering experience with the program and overall talent.
Wells and Curry Jr. seem to be obvious locks to control the defensive end roles, while competition will be fiercer at defensive tackle.
Greene and Pritchard-Sewell will both push for starting jobs in the middle, but Jolly and Johannesen hold a slight edge. It wouldn’t be surprising to see either Greene or Pritchard-Sewell starting the Spring Game.
