The Edmonton Eskimos started the 2016 campaign with a new defensive coordinator in Mike Benevides, but many familiar faces on the defensive line. After looking at potential changes Benevides opted for the often injured end Marcus Howard next to Cedric McKinley at nose tackle on the right side of the line. On the right side veteran defensive tackle Almondo Sewell next to gregarious Odell Willis.

During camp the Esks looked closely at an international at the nose tackle position auditioning rookie Daniel Ross, rookie Jabari Hunt, NFL veteran Sam Montgomery along with McKinley. Ross and Montgomery were released. McKinley was traded to the Saskatchewan Roughriders leaving the primary option being Jabari Hunt by week 4. The national grouping at nose tackle in camp had the often injured Don Oramasionwu, Gregory Alexandre and Eddie Steele. To start the season Oramasionwu was injured again and shortly into the season Alexandre was also traded to the Riders.


Jabari Hunt

Benevides went all in on Jabari Hunt, but the Georgia Tech product has been slow to impress Esk fans. Hunt was highlighted to be an ACC breakout star going into 2014 after having 7 tackles for a loss and 3 sacks. However, Hunt did not play in 2014 due to NCAA eligibility standards violations and quit Georgia Tech team in 2015 wrapping up a promising, but tumultuous college career. Hunt was not selected in the NFL draft due to character questions from his time in the NCAA. Yet Hunt has all the tools size, speed, strength and a high motor. At 6’ 4” and 292 pounds Hunt has the physical gifts to dominate inside or at least draw attention away from Sewell.

At times Hunt has done his job taking up space and drawing the kind of attend that has freed up Sewell to garner 7 sacks. In Benevides scheme the expectation of Hunt is to be a straight ahead nose tackle that collapses the pocket and stuffs the run. Nevertheless, Esk fans expect more from the interior duo of Hunt and Sewell. They want better quarterback pressure that helps out a secondary from having to cover at length.

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