RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University football team will return a plethora of talent on the defensive line in 2025, along with some new names that Colonel Nation will quickly learn this season.
 
"It always starts up front for us as a defense, and I think our veterans in Jeremiah Bailey, Brad Gurley, and Gabe Fletcher have done a great job so far this spring leading this group," said defensive coordinator Jake Johnson, "Additionally with a guy like Tommy [Ziesmer] transferring from Kentucky stepping up his game, I think we can have a strong group up front this season."
 
The unit will have to replace key players from 2024, with Darrian Baker and Ryan Jackson graduating as the pair combined for 77 total tackles and 15 tackles for loss last season.
 
Baker was a Second Team All-UAC selection in 2024 with 43 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and two interceptions.
 
As a unit in 2024, the EKU defense allowed only 23.7 points per game, the best in the UAC, and only 148.6 yards per game on the ground as the Colonels went 8-4 in the regular season, making it back to the FCS Playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
 
"This group has a lot of experience," said new defensive line coach Dayton LeBlanc. "I feel like I have inherited a really good group of young men who are adaptable and teachable, and when you have veterans like that, it sets the tone for the rest of the group."
 
#0 Tommy Ziesmer | Redshirt Sophomore | Danville, Ky.
 
A transfer from the University of Kentucky, in two seasons as a Wildcat, Ziesmer saw action in six total games, recorded four tackles, including a sack and a tackle for loss, in his freshman season.
 
A three-star recruit by Rivals coming out of Boyle County High School in 2022, he was ranked the No. 7 overall prospect in the state, and 247Sports ranked him the No. 65 edge rusher in the nation.
 
#4 Jeremiah Bailey | Redshirt Junior | Smyrna, Tenn.
 
A Fourth Team All-UAC selection by Phil Steele in 2024, Bailey returns for his redshirt junior season after a stellar season a year ago.
 
In 2024, he started all 13 games, recording 43 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, and five tackles for loss.
 
In the FCS Playoffs last season, he had a season-best eight tackles, three TFLs, and two sacks.
 
In his redshirt freshman year, Bailey played in all 11 games, recording 13 tackles and one sack while adding an electric 39-yard scoop-and-score in the season finale against Stephen F. Austin.
 
#44 Davi'yon Hawkins | Redshirt Freshman | Cocoa, Fla.
 
A redshirt in 2024, Hawkins was a three-star recruit coming out of high school as he led Cocoa High School to a 14-1 season in his senior year, claiming a FHSAA State Championship.
 
That season, Hawkins tallied 63 tackles with 24 being for loss, 12.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles in his senior season.
 
#88 Darius Sterling | Redshirt Senior | South Chesterfield, Va.
 
While missing out on the 2024 season due to injury, in 2023, Sterling appeared in 10 games, recording seven tackles and 1.5 sacks with one fumble recovery against then No. 16 Southeast Missouri State that set up the game-winning field goal.
 
#92 Simon Ghee | Redshirt Sophomore | Bowling Green, Ky.
 
A redshirt in 2023, Ghee played in one game against Morehead State in 2024.
 
In 2022, he was the Kentucky Football Coaches Association 4A District Two Player of the Year and All-SKY Conference selection at Warren East.
 
#93 Brad Gurley | Redshirt Junior | Bowling Green, Ky.
 
Playing in 12 games a season ago, Gurley recorded 15 total tackles, with one sack, and two tackles for loss.
 
#98 Cedric Andrews | Redshirt Freshman | Panama City, Fla.
 
A redshirt in 2024, Andrews signed with the Colonels out Rutherford High School where he recorded 72 total tackles with four being for losses, and one sack in his senior season.
 
#99 Gabe Fletcher | Redshirt Senior | Memphis, Tenn.
 
Playing in all 13 games last season, Fletcher made his presence felt with 13 tackles, five tackles for loss, and three sacks.
 
Additionally, in 2024, he recovered one fumble against Morehead State.
 
In 2023, he played in all 11 games, making five tackles and adding an interception against North Alabama.
 
Fans can get their first look at the 2025 Colonels this Saturday at the annual Spring Game presented by CG Bank at 3 p.m., with free entry for all fans.