SMITHFIELD, R.I. The defensive line will bring size and speed to the trenches this season for the Bryant football team.
Today's defensive line preview is the fifth of eight positional previews as the Bulldogs will kick off the 2026 season at Stonehill on August 29th.
Quick Outlook
The D-line will be spearheaded by seniors
Nathan LaPlante,
Gideon Bedada,
Dixon Hudson,
Michael Grant,
Toby Brown Jr., and junior
Jayden Hazelwood. The Bulldogs will look to replace
Michael Otty, who last season led the CAA in TFLs (17.5) and was named to the All-CAA First Team. He finished his dominant career with 38.5 TFLs, which ranks fifth all-time in DI program history. Bedada has 3.5 sacks last season, which was the second most on the team behind Otty, and led the team with six quarterback hurries. Grant and Brown each had two sacks, and LaPlante tallied 1.5. The returning D-lineman combined for 16.5 TFLs in 2025.
Returners: Nathan LaPlante Sr. |
Gideon Bedada Sr. |
Dixon Hudson Sr. |
Michael Grant Sr. |
Gustavo Bravo Sr. |
Jack Buttine Sr. |
Anthony Schettino Sr. |
Jayden Hazelwood Jr. |
Zach Taylor Jr. |
Nick Monahan Jr. |
Lucian DePino Jr. |
Amin Abbassi Jr. | Scott Walker So. |
Ben Pipolo So. |
Jamy Eme So. |
Jesse Denobile So.
Newcomers: Devin Williams Jr. |
Daniel Vann Jr. |
Jaden Roper Jr. |
Jonathan Jean-Louise Fr. |
Brandon Ricketts Fr. |
AJ Ogbonna Fr. | Tatum McBall Fr.
Notes and Notables
- LaPlante posted career-highs in 15.5 tackles and 5.5 TFLs.
- Bededa recorded 18 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 4.5 TFLs, all career-highs.
- Grant had six games with multiple tackles.
- Brown Jr. had a sack against Campbell and UNH.
- Williams transferred from Iowa Central CC.
- Vann transferred from Coffeyville.
- Roper transferred from Georgia State.
- Jean-Louise had 62 tackles and 5.5 in his senior year.
