After moving from linebacker to the defensive line in his junior season, Ball State University defensive end Cortlan Booker experienced immediate success lining up in a three-point stance.
Booker, who still spends half of practice at linebacker when he's not working with defensive ends, is the top returning tackler on the defensive line with 64 tackles last season. He also led the team with 14 tackles for loss and five sacks.
Despite the impressive numbers, however, Booker said he was far from satisfied last season.
"When the team isn't performing, it makes you feel like you aren't successful," Booker said of the Cardinals' defense. "In football, it's all about the team and it doesn't matter what you do as an individual. So when we weren't producing, no matter what my stats were, I felt like I wasn't producing too."
Last season the Cardinals' defense allowed 175.7 rushing yards per game -¡- third-worst in the Mid-American Conference - and 4.9 yards per rushing attempt, worst in the MAC. Ball State coach Brady Hoke said he expects a more solidified defensive group up front this fall.
"So far the defensive line guys have looked good in summer training and scrimmages," Hoke said. "We've been focusing on improving our whole defense. To do that we know [the defensive line] has to get better and I have confidence that will happen."
Booker said the reason he was more concerned with Ball State's lack of success defensively rather than his individual success was because of the closeness of the players on the defensive line.
"We're definitely a group that looks out for each other because we have to be working together on the field," Booker said. "When we're not practicing, we watch film together and make sure everyone knows what the other person is doing. We also spend a lot of time together off the field just hanging out."
Booker said the defense has taken it upon themselves to improve so the team will have more success in the upcoming season.
"I think we're definitely going to be a better defense this year, especially up front," Booker said. "We've really committed ourselves this summer to being a better group, and I think that dedication is about to pay off."
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