Ball State football training camp: Defensive line determined to 'prove everybody wrong'

Muncie Star Press
MUNCIE, Ind. — Ball State football's defensive line enters the 2023 season with a chip on its shoulder.
The group, comprised of several veterans with 46 combined starts and two experienced transfers, feels it hasn't received the respect it deserves from outside evaluators. Only one member, redshirt junior Tavion Woodard, is an All-Mid-American Conference preseason selection, and no one made an All-MAC team in 2022.
The Cardinals are determined to prove their doubters wrong.
"The MAC's sleeping on us," redshirt junior Kyron Mims said. "We've got a lot to prove this year."
"A lot of doubters … We're hungry as a whole group to go out and show everybody and dominate," Woodard said. "We're ready to prove everybody wrong. It's that year. It's d-line versus the world."
Ball State football defensive lineman Tavion Woodard during the team's training camp practice at the Scheumann Family Indoor Practice Facility on Wednesday, August 9, 2023.
The lack of recognition can be justified by BSU's lack of success against the run last year. During conference play in 2022, the Cardinals' defense ranked last in run attempts against (370) and rushing yards allowed (1,525) while allowing 15 rushing touchdowns, and its 19 sacks tied for the fourth-lowest total.
Woodard, who last season led the defensive line in tackles (35) with four sacks and five TFLs, said the unit put in extra work this offseason to come back "stronger" and more "together," and feels the unit has better depth than in recent seasons.
New defensive line head coach Adam Morris, who played at Ball State from 2008-11, has also brought a new approach to preparation. He's incorporated several different drills aimed at improving the unit's athleticism and movement, which multiple players said they've enjoyed and have noticed a positive difference.
Morris is also emphasizing a reinvigorated mindset, one that aims to inspire game-changing moments rather than simply not be a weakness of the team.
"It's not enough to just not lose the game," Morris said. "This is Division I college football. You've gotta make the play to win the game. So that has been the push, to take the next step. And don't be afraid of making a mistake. Be confident that you're gonna go make the play."
Ball State football defensive lineman Kyron Mims during the team's training camp practice at the Scheumann Family Indoor Practice Facility on Wednesday, August 9, 2023.
He's excited by what he's seen during training camp. He wants Woodard to make the most of his All-Conference talent. He's pushing redshirt senior Jack Sape to return to his 2021 form that saw him tally 4.5 TFLs and one sack. He believes junior Kyle King, a former Michigan State transfer, has "as much ability as anybody" and wants him to take the next step.
Morris is also pleased with the performance of transfers James Makszin from Rhode Island and Mikhari Sibblis from Lehigh. Makszin has 38 career games under his belt and notched 37 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, two sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 2022. Subblis also shined last fall, earning his second straight All-Conference selection after tallying 40 tackles, six TFLs and 1.5 sacks.
Both were also team captains and said they've integrated well into BSU's culture, and Morris cited them both as players who, in addition to Woodard, have stood out the most since practices began.
"James has been as productive as anybody upfront so far early on in camp," Morris said. "Mikhari had one of his better practices (on Wednesday), has a lot of value rushing the passer."
Ball State football defensive lineman Mikhari Sibblis (right) during the team's training camp practice at the Scheumann Family Indoor Practice Facility on Wednesday, August 9, 2023.
Ball State football defensive lineman James Makszin during the team's training camp practice at the Scheumann Family Indoor Practice Facility on Wednesday, August 9, 2023.
Redshirt juniors John Harris and Mims will likely headline the nose tackles again. Mims, who's slimmed down this fall to 293 pounds after previously playing above 300, said 2022 Second Team All-MAC center Ethan Crowe continues to be a valuable practice foe who helps him improve.
Junior Nathan Reichert, sophomore Dakari Frazier and redshirt sophomore Drew Hughes, who Woodard said has impressed and will make a "big impact," round out the depth pieces. Redshirt sophomore Julian McBride is also in the mix but is currently dealing with a "medical situation," according to Morris, but is expected to return "at some point early on in the year."
Morris has seen the group's depth foster increased competition during camp, and he hopes having several rotation pieces will keep players fresh during games and capable of making key plays into the fourth quarter.
Redshirt senior linebacker Cole Pearce also praised the unit, feeling that their improvement has given the rest of the defense increased confidence.
The next step is translating the linemen's belief into results.
"I really think that the work that we put in this offseason, the work that we're going to continue putting in, is what's going to change that, flip the narrative from whatever position we are ranked right now," Sibblis said.