Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/140522
defensive backs He put the effort into it, and he's a good athlete and a quick learner. He just made himself into a player." But the roles have reversed since last year, when corner was in question but somewhat protected by a capable safety group. This year the design may be to have the defense make up for a lack of game experience at safety. "What we've gained in veteran players on the perimeter we've lost in veteran play at the safety positions," Notre Dame defensive coordinator Bob Diaco said. "So we're going to be restarting at safety in the fall of 2013. As that season wears on and we work into '14 and '15, we'll have a bunch of guys that have been around here doing it for a long time. "That will be exciting, but we won't be there in '13." Collinsworth is relieved just to be back, but he's eager to regain his 2012 preseason form. "I've been getting a little bit more reps at boundary safety than I usually do," Collinsworth said. "It has been fun trying to really understand the defense as a whole now instead of just understanding the free safety position, which is kind of what I did last year. I think I have a much better concept of the big picture. "You take a year off and you're going to be a little bit rusty out there, but physically I feel great. Every day I'm starting to feel more and more like my old self." Of course, once the incoming freshman class arrives, position battles might change this fall. Redfield and cornerbacks Devin Butler and Rashad Kinlaw are rookies head coach Brian Kelly mentioned by name in the spring as ones expected to contribute this year. That's not even including another cornerback, Cole Luke, who might have a legitimate opportunity to work into the two-deep the way Russell did last year. The secondary was in good enough shape this spring to where sophomore safety C.J. Prosise was moved to receiver. "A much better situation than when we lost Jamoris Slaughter," Kelly said. "We felt like we were shorthanded. We don't feel like that's the case [now]." Collinsworth was expected to be part of the three-man rotation with Slaughter and Motta last season, but shoulder surgery in the summer and back surgery in the fall erased the entire season for Notre Dame's 2011 Special Teams Player of the Year. Baratti also is coming back from offseason shoulder surgery. "[Collinsworth has] come quite a ways, but he's still quite a ways from where he was last spring physically," Elliott said. "This summer will be really important to Austin, but he'll be in the mix." Sophomore safety Elijah Shumate lined up at nickel back during his rookie campaign and made nine tackles while also breaking up three passes. photo by bill panzica Quick Facts Position Coaches: Kerry Cooks (4th year at Notre Dame) and Bob Elliott (2nd year) Returning Starters: S Matthias Farley (11 career starts), CB Bennett Jackson (13) and CB KeiVarae Russell (13) Departing Starters: S Zeke Motta (29) and S Jamoris Slaughter (19) Projected New Starters: S Elijah Shumate Top Reserves: S Austin Collinsworth and CB Lo Wood Waiting Their Turn: CB Josh Atkinson, S Nick Baratti, CB Jalen Brown and S Eilar Hardy Newcomers: CB Devin Butler, CB Rashad Kinlaw, CB Cole Luke and S Max Redford Moved In: None Other Departures: S C.J. Prosise (to WR) FYI: Jackson tied for 39th nationally with four interceptions last year … The secondary helped Notre Dame rank 35th in the country in third-down efficiency defense (36.52 percent success rate) and seventh overall in red-zone defense (nine passing touchdowns allowed all year) … Notre Dame's loosest quarter defensively in 2012 was the second stanza (74 points allowed, out of 166 given up for the year)… Athlon ranked Notre Dame's defensive backs the 10th-best unit in the country … Lindy's placed the Irish defensive backfield No. 9 on its preseason list … Phil Steele's 2013 College Football Preview rated the group No. 15 nationally … Phil Steele's also tabbed Jackson as the No. 12 cornerback in the country among those who are draft eligible in 2014. 1 By The Numbers Sophomore safety Elijah Shumate experienced his first loss since the eighth grade against Alabama Jan. 7. The four-year starter combined at Paterson Catholic and Don Bosco Prep in New Jersey went undefeated in high school and 12-0 in the regular season as a rookie with the Fighting Irish. Of the teams that finished among the top 25 in passing defense (Notre Dame was 25th) in 2013, the Irish tied for sixth with Bowling Green in passing touchdowns allowed (11). Interceptions recorded by Notre Dame last season, highlighted by seven from senior All-American Manti Te'o, a Notre Dame single season linebacker record. Can the secondary collectively help fill that void left in interceptions? 6 16 Notre Dame's Pass defense Year Passing YPG NCAA Rank 2003213.0 48 2004281.2 116 2005264.6 103 2006203.4 60 2007161.6 2 Year Passing YPG NCAA Rank 2008195.7 43 2009227.5 76 2010215.1 54 2011205.8 38 2012199.77 25 Blue & Gold Illustrated 2013 Football Preview ✦ 101 100-106.DBs.indd 101 6/25/13 2:34 PM