Junior defensive lineman Joey Mbu, who had 27 tackles and one interception last season, will be expected to be a defensive leader this year. | File photo/The Daily Cougar

Head coach Tony Levine has known about Joey Mbu’s talent since he was a ninth grader.

The coaches at Foster High School in Richmond, Texas where Levine had a recruiting relationship, told him about the junior defensive lineman.

Levine said Mbu didn’t have the motor of other defensive linemen in his class because he was expending energy on both sides of the football. Mbu received only one Football Bowl Subdivision scholarship offer, and that was from UH.

“He didn’t play hard on every play,” Levine said. “And it may have had something to do with why he wasn’t highly recruited, to be honest with you, because you don’t find many 6-foot-3, 300-pound-plus men that have the feet and ability that he has.”

Mbu, the team’s only returning starter on the defensive line, has expectations the size of his frame on and off the field after coming on strong during the final three games last season.

Defensive line coach Ricky Logo said the defensive line started from scratch this offseason.

“Really, we had to take a step back and start over again,” Logo said. “For a guy like Joey Mbu that has to be patient because he knows that he can’t do it by himself … It’s a different group this year, whereas last year, we had a lot of guys with playing experience.”

Mbu is also becoming a leader of the defensive line, a role he is starting to accept.

“I have to be a leader. I was kind of pushed into the position. We just had the seniors graduate last year and now it’s my turn,” Mbu said. “They told me it was going to happen and now it’s here.”

Mbu leads by keeping his teammates loose with humor. The entire defensive line has a nickname that changes often, he said. He challenges offensive linemen with clever banter that brings emotion into the game. He said he plays better in emotional contests.

On the field, Levine said he thinks Mbu will have a big year and add the ability to get a pass rush without blitzing, an element the defense has lacked the past few seasons. He had 27 tackles and one sack during his sophomore campaign.

Mbu still thinks he can get better.

“I need to work more on my hands and exploding more off the ball,” Mbu said. “My footwork — I still need improvement on that — but the main thing is my hands, and that’ll come with more experience.”

If spring practice is any indication, the Cougars could be in good shape along the defensive line. Levine said the defensive line has improved more than any position this spring. He said the group has gotten quick pressure up the middle on the quarterback with four down linemen.

Logo said to become the unit they need to be, the Cougars need to focus on stopping the run during spring practice.

“I think for us, we’ve been constantly teaching our guys how to play the run. We get enough pass in team situations. When you play against a spread offense like this, you have to get as much physical contact with your linemen as you can, and that’s what we’re trying to build. … It’s good for them. It breaks them down and forces them to communicate.”

Levine said if Mbu and the squad fulfill their potential, the Cougars could have a good defensive line.

“He and I had a long talk in my office a couple of weeks ago, and it seemed like he just got here, and he’s already a junior,” Levine said. “I think the sky’s the limit for his future.”

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