Against Northern Illinois last Wednesday, the University of Toledo football team welcomed a new face to its defense. Because of injuries at the defensive tackle position, Yazeed Atariwa, previously a backup offensive lineman, brought his 300-plus pound frame over to the defensive side of the ball.
The 6-foot-4, 312-pound sophomore from Sterling, Va., filled in admirably, recording two tackles in his first taste of defense since his high school days at Dominion High School.
“It felt great,” Atariwa said. “I haven’t played defense in a while, since I got recruited here. It was just a breath of fresh air.