Now both have the opportunity to push their back-ups as well each other. Behind Garcia and Payne on the depth chart are sophomores Doug Bennett and Erik Grimm.

“I think right now our ultimate goal would be to [rotate defensive ends the same way] we did in the past [last year, four players saw almost equal playing time], but probably in the beginning we won’t be able to,” Westerfield said. “But both Erik Grimm and Doug Bennett have shown a lot of potential, and we expect them to be big contributors this year.”

Given the Ivy League’s affinity for the pass—many teams routinely throw 35-45 times per game—pressuring the quarterback is critical. But with Payne and Garcia teaming with a veteran group of defensive tackles—led by juniors Matt McBurney and Coesen Ngwun and seniors Jon Berrier and Brendan McCafferty—the front four should be able to do its part.

“I think the pass rush is going to be very good,” Garcia said. “Everyone’s a good pass rusher, all eight of us. We should get pressure up front.”

And they should have a lot of fun doing it.

“Any defensive end will tell you that the opportunity to rush the QB a lot is much better than playing against a team that runs the football all the time,” Payne said.

“I like rushing the passer,” Garcia added. “It’s not always a lot of fun going up against 300-lb offensive lineman [on running plays], but rushing the passer and getting to hit the other team’s quarterback is the best part.”

—Staff writer Lande A. Spottswood can be reached at spottsw@fas.harvard.edu.