War Eagle Football: Barber a disruptive presence on defensive line
Published 9:33 am Tuesday, August 20, 2024
- Defensive linemen, with coaches Terrell Wilson (left) and Randy Athey, are, from left: front - Corban O’Neil, Nathaniel Jordan, Gio Alcacio and Billy Krause; back - Braylon Arnold, Grayson Cayton, Landon Barber and Connor Dixson.
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By Brian Pitts
Sports Editor
The defense is expected to be the stronger side of the ball for the first time in years, and one reason why is Davie has a disruptive presence in the trenches in Landon Barber.
A senior with brute physicality, Barber is a third-year starter on the defensive line who is coming off a 60-tackle season.
“He’s one of the strongest kids in our program,” coach Tim Devericks said. “He’s very quiet in what he does and he works every day. I’m looking for big things again from him.”
“He makes us better,” offensive line coach Spencer Pasciolla said. “Landon is extremely strong and doesn’t lose a lot of speed with that strength. So he’s tough to block plugging up the A gaps.”
Braylon Arnold could be a big-time playmaker by 2026. Devericks is already raving about him as a sophomore.
“He’s long-armed and very powerful,” Devericks said. “As a freshman, he had to learn some technique after he dominated middle school and youth football with his size. His first step and the point of his first step is important for a defensive lineman, and he’s really got that down to a T. We try to model every defensive lineman’s first step and angle after Braylon, because that’s how good he does it.”
Junior Connor Dixson and senior Corban O’Neil are fighting for the DL’s third starting spot, although there will be times when Davie goes with a four-man front. Devericks feels good about both of them.
“They are athletic guys and both of them are very strong,” Devericks said. “One might be a little bit faster than the other, and one has more experience than the other. (O’Neil) came back to play football this year, and he’s been a bright spot with his energy and enthusiasm.”
Pasciolla said: “I know he’s playing his first year of football, but Corban is strong as a bull. I mean, trying to keep him from hitting his bull rush and getting our tackles in the backfield has been a chore.”
The depth along the front will come from seniors Billy Krause and Nathaniel Jordan and junior Gio Alcacio.
