"I don't necessarily have a statistic or number, per se, of what I expect … just that we're consistently great at executing. That's the goal. Of course, we want to lead in this, lead in that. We have our unit goals, but ultimately, it's about consistently out-executing every opponent."
 
- Milton Patterson, FAMU Defensive Run Game Coordinator / Defensive Line Coach
 
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | Florida A&M's defensive line lives by a motto of "consistency." Can it consistently stack days of great habits? Coach Milton Patterson certainly believes so. He sees potential in his unit just two weeks into fall training - potential that could soon lead to recognition as the No. 1 defensive line in the country.
 
The pieces are in place ... 
 
"Expect us to play extremely hard," he said. "No matter what four are out there, we're going to play at a high level and try to match, and then beat, what we did last year. It starts right here in camp."
 
The position group returns 13 from a season ago, including Justin Cooks, Gentle Hunt, and Stanley Mentor. It has also welcomed three new faces (two transfers) - and the talent pool has led to an "extremely fast, extremely physical" start to preseason training.
 
#57 Justin Cooks | 6-5 | 245 | R-Jr. | Tampa, Fla.
 
2021: Made 10 appearances … recorded 11 tackles, 1.5 for loss, and a sack 
 
#92 Gentle Hunt | 5-11 | 290 | R-So. | High Springs, Fla. / Gainesville HS
 
2021: Saw action in 10 games … posted 27 tackles (18 solo), eight TFL … recorded five sacks … returned a fumble 46-yards for a touchdown in the Florida Classic win versus Bethune-Cookman
 
#98 Stanley Mentor | 6-2 | 320 | R-Sr. | Orlando, Fla. / Lane College
 
2021: Participated in 10 games … finished the season with 13 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks … recorded a season-high five tackles and two sacks in the Florida Classic win versus Bethune-Cookman
 
The line will surely miss the presence of Savion Williams, an All-Southwestern Athletic Conference selection who, at one point, was ranked the 29th best defensive tackle by ESPN's Todd McShay. However, Milton is confident in the abilities of his current group. 
 
He was also sure to mention the progression of offseason additions James Ashe and Dre Jones as "transfers that have the potential to make incredible things happen, at any given moment."
 
Returners: Abu Bangura, Deondri Clark, Justin Cooks, Jolan Gilley, Donald Hall, Gentle Hunt, Kyle Jackson, Lerodrick James, Malcolm Major, Michael Marshall, Stanley Mentor, Kamari Stephens, Richard Summers 
 
Newcomers: James Ash (Wake Forest University), Dre Jones (Abilene Christian University), Jimmy Lubin (American Heritage High School)
 
Lost: Stephone Atkinson, Jelani Bland, Khamari Brown, Tamari Brown, Anthony Davis, Renaldo Flowers Jr., Khalil Lynes, Malcolm Moultrie, Dayle Palmers, Kameron Smith, Deonte Williams, Savion Williams