Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2012 Notre Dame Football Preview
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84 ✦ BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2015 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY BRYAN DRISKELL W hen Notre Dame made its stunning run in 2012, which went all the way to the BCS National Championship Game, the defense steered the ship. All-American linebacker and Heisman Trophy runner-up Manti Te'o garnered the majority of the praise while becoming the most decorated defensive player in college football history, including win- ning the Walter Camp Award. When the game film got broken down, it quickly became apparent there was much more to the story. As great as Te'o played, the defen- sive line truly fueled that defense. Even the best linebackers need a front that is able to eat up blocks, disrupt the opposing offensive line and create room for the lineback- ers to run. Once again, Notre Dame has one of the nation's premier lineback- ers in junior Jaylon Smith. Alongside Smith is a roster full of experi- enced linebackers, led by 2014 team MVP Joe Schmidt. But without better play from the defensive line, the linebackers, and the unit as a whole, cannot play the championship-caliber defense needed for Notre Dame to once again make a push for a title. After a rocky 2014 season, the line is poised to become a fortress, the first step in building a championship defense. When seniors Jarron Jones and Sheldon Day went to the bench last November, both suffering regular season-ending injuries, the Irish defense imploded. Day suffered a knee injury in the third quarter against Northwest- ern. Jones was lost for the season to a Lisfranc injury after just one series against Louisville. The pair of tackles had to watch helplessly from the sideline while Louisville wore down the Irish defense, gain- ing 229 yards on 50 carries. A week later, USC ran for 205 yards on 53 carries. Despite missing a chunk of spring practice, Day was able to finish in good health, making two tackles and a tackle for loss in the Blue- Gold Game. As good as Day was at times last season, finishing with 7.5 tackles for loss and nine QB hurries, there is plenty of room for better pro- duction, and Notre Dame will need it from him. Head coach Brian Kelly expects big things from his captain this season. "He's an outstanding player and makes a major difference on the field for our team, and Sheldon's impact goes beyond success on the field," Kelly said when Day announced his senior-year return. "His leadership as a captain in our program has been instrumental, and I look forward to him carrying this role into 2015." Jones was out all spring and is still working his way back to full strength, but thus far the progress has been encouraging. According to defensive line coach Keith Gilmore, the key for Jones will be his football stamina where he can consistently provide 40 to 50 snaps per game. "The first thing is being able to put pressure on that foot," Gilmore said. "The conditioning factor will be a major deal." Getting Jones back to speed, and playing the way he was prior to getting injured, could be the most vital component to Notre Dame's defensive success in 2015. Jones was dominant in the final five games he played, racking up 20 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss. That stretch includes Louisville, when he played just one series. Jones was at his best against Florida State, dominating the Semi- nole offensive line to finish with six tackles, a career-high three tackles for loss and a crucial QB hurry that allowed Notre Dame to get the ball back with a chance to score late. DEFENSIVE LINEMEN FRONT AND CENTER With improved depth and health, the Irish line will be counted on to carry a greater load Senior nose guard Jarron Jones was dominant in the final five games he played in 2014, racking up 20 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss in the middle of the Irish defense. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA "They're learning how to work together. Pass rush is about effort. It's not about the great pass rush move every single time. It's about guys giving great effort, understanding the rush lanes, collapsing the quarterback and getting sacks as a group." DEFENSIVE LINE COACH KEITH GILMORE