2017 Notre Dame Football Preview

2017 Notre Dame Football Preview

Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2012 Notre Dame Football Preview

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84 ✦ BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2017 FOOTBALL PREVIEW DEFENSIVE LINEMEN T o the media or the fan base, Notre Dame's defensive line might be classified as the weakest link in 2017 for at least three rea- sons. One, in 2016 Notre Dame finished 72nd out of 128 Football Bowl Subdivision teams against the run (182.4 yards allowed per game) and 102nd in tackles for loss (5.1 per game). Two, of the nation's 65 Power Five teams, the Fighting Irish finished dead last in quar- terback sacks recorded by defensive linemen with only three. Three, for all their woes last year, the Irish also graduated their top two linemen, three- year starter at end and seventh-round pick Isaac Rochell and nose tackle Jarron Jones. Naturally, anytime a particular group is deemed the top concern based on data, it also has the best opportunity to be a pleasant sur- prise. Head coach Brian Kelly at least hopes that is the result. "We have a lot more along the defensive line than many people think," Kelly said. "We have some edge players with athletic ability. I think we're physical inside. There is a lot more than what people have made out that our defensive line can be." New defensive coordinator Mike Elko's charge is to maximize the skills of a line that has plenty to prove. • At strongside end, seniors Andrew Trum- betti (467 snaps last year) and Jay Hayes (155) are co-starters who will step in for Rochell. • At nose tackle, junior Jerry Tillery moves back to where he co-started as a freshman with Daniel Cage in 2015. Originally recruited as an offensive tackle, Tillery will need to be- come a linchpin after negative endings to his freshman and sophomore years. Cage missed the last month of the 2016 season because of a concussion and battled hernia issues there- after. • Tillery played defensive tackle/three- technique last year, but senior Jonathan Bon- ner was the starter this spring after recording nine tackles in part-time duty last year. Junior Elijah Taylor (three tackles) was expected to compete there, but a Lisfranc fracture in his left foot early in spring sidelined him. Clem- son graduate transfer Scott Pagano visited Notre Dame this spring and likely would have been a starter, but opted to enroll at Oregon instead. • Sophomore Daelin Hayes, a former five- star recruit, displayed star potential at drop end after recording 11 tackles last year. Elko was encouraged by the "buy in" and believes competing against a veteran offensive line has been beneficial. "Our offensive line is very talented, very physical," Elko said. "Every day we go out there and play against those guys. You feel you have to do it right or you're going to struggle." The same will apply in any actual game. ✦ DOWN IN FRONT … OR MAYBE NOT The front four needs to be a pleasant surprise if the Irish are to become competitive again Junior nose tackle Jerry Tillery's 978 snaps the last two seasons are the most among returning lineman over that span, plus he has the most career starts with 14. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA

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