University of Massachusets Athletics
Defensive Difference
August 25, 2006 | Football
Aug. 25, 2006
AMHERST - While Shannon James is the biggest name the University of Massachusetts football team lost in the offseason, he may not be the most difficult to replace.
James, who is on his way to earning a roster spot with the Baltimore Ravens, was a record-setting free safety the last four years for the Minutemen, but defensive end Keron Williams' shoes may be a little bit bigger to fill.
Say hello to junior David Burris, a walk-on in 2003 who earned his way to a full scholarship after the 2004 season and played in the shadow of Williams in 2005.
Burris, seniors John Hatchell and Jason Leonard and redshirt freshman Brandon Collier are the starting linemen in coach Don Brown's 4-3 defense.
Williams, an All-Atlantic 10 first-team pick in 2005 who was second on UMass in tackles for loss with 10.5, and Justin Schweighardt started all 11 games on the line for the Minutemen last season.
Burris and Hatchell were starters as well, but this year they will play different positions on the line, with Leonard and Collier playing at tackle.
"Burris played the other defensive end a year ago, and it's a little bit different for him going from over the tight end to an open end," Brown said. "He's taken to the position, and I feel good about where he is at right now."
Burris, who graduated from Southbridge High School and did a postgraduate year at the Hotchkiss School, had 49 tackles, 8.5 for loss in 2005. The 6-foot, 242-pounder is excited about his new role.
"It's a little easier than anchor, with less responsibility. I can just line up and play," Burris said. "Keron was a smart, fast player, explosive. I just want to fill his shoes and hopefully do better than he did."
Moving Hatchell from tackle to end may give UMass the advantage over the tight end and gives the defensive line a little flexibility.
"We're trying to find a way to get our best four defensive linemen on the field," Brown said.
At 6-2, 270 pounds, Hatchell will be the biggest starting defensive end in the A-10 this year. He's also the strongest player on the Minutemen, breaking his own bench press record this preseason by lifting 520 pounds.
"It's a little bit of a different fish when you're used to wrestling in there all the time, and now you're out on the edge," Brown said of Hatchell. "It's a little bit of an adjustment for him, but he's done a nice job out there, especially in the run game."
Leonard, who is also the long snapper, saw plenty of time last year at nose tackle. Collier is strong and fast. The Cleveland native runs a 4.7 40 and benches 350 pounds.
Other players in the mix are juniors Patrick Powell and Shaun Allen, sophomores Wilner Alexis and Darnel DeLaire, redshirt freshmen Kyle C. Harrington and true freshman Robert McLaughlin, son of former UMass linebacker Joe McLaughlin, who played for Green Bay and the New York Giants.
With old faces in new positions and several new faces, there is ample room for uncertainties with the defensive line of the Minutemen.
But Burris doesn't share those concerns.
"As long as you follow your keys, as (defensive line) coach (Steve) Tirrell says, it will lead you to the football," Burris said.
