Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2012 Notre Dame Football Preview
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BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2015 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ✦ 85 DEFENSIVE LINEMEN He had always been praised for his potential and was finally be- coming very productive. "I think it's the natural progression of a young man growing up off the field," Kelly explained. "For me there's always been that direct correlation — when you're coming together off the field, you gener- ally see that happen on the field. If you're a disaster off the field, you're usually a disaster on the field. "His maturity, being here at Notre Dame, being in this environ- ment, I think all those things are coming together for him and we're starting to see that transition on the football field as well. "He's developing that toughness on the field, going from this big guy that maybe was not using that size on the field. He's starting to translate that." Behind the veterans, a number of young players are looking to emerge. Junior Jacob Matuska and sophomore Daniel Cage earned valuable playing time, especially when Day and Jones were lost to injuries. Both players will continue to work into the Irish rotation. The player who made the biggest strides this offseason was sopho- more Jay Hayes. After being thrust into the rotation with just three games remaining in the season, Hayes is being asked to take his game to another level. During the spring, he showed off a physique with 20 extra pounds, an improved motor and a better understanding of how to play the game. "Jay Hayes is so much better at technique and responsibility for his job. He was a bit of a whirling dervish," Kelly said. "He was just kind of thrashing away, doing what he could do in there. He is so much more fundamentally sound in his jobs. He's done really well." Gilmore was also impressed with the Brooklyn native. "Jay has risen to the occasion," Gilmore said. "I'm impressed by his work ethic. He's coming in and watching extra tape, and he's doing everything he can do to make himself better. It's been fun watching that." Junior Isaac Rochell was arguably Notre Dame's top run defender, controlling his edge and forcing teams to run away from him. Senior Romeo Okwara used his improved toughness and strength to become a more effective player at the point of attack. However, early in the 2014 season, it became apparent the defen- sive line, especially at the end position, was having difficulty getting after the quarterback with any consistency. PRESEASON ANALYSIS ★★★★ National Title Caliber; ★★★ Playoff Contention; ★★ Top 25 Potential; ★ Too Unproven Starters ★★½ The Irish defensive line returns all four starters from last season, a group that has a total of 57 career starts. Defensive tackle Sheldon Day is considered one of the better defensive tackles in the country, but he must become a more consistently productive player, and he must stay healthy for the first time in his career. The Lisfranc injury suffered by senior Jarron Jones created a major question mark about his health heading into the season. A healthy Day and Jones would provide Notre Dame with a strong interior, which should help improve the Irish rush defense. Senior Romeo Okwara and junior Isaac Rochell made all but two starts on the edge last season. Both proved to be quality run defenders, but neither proved to be a consistently productive pass rusher. Sophomore Andrew Trumbetti made only one start, but split reps with Okwara a season ago. Experience ★★★ Notre Dame's starting lineup returns significant playing time. Day is a multi-year starter and the other three returners now have a full year of starts. The depth chart is still loaded with young players, but they've at least played too. Trumbetti, Grant Blankenship and Daniel Cage were key reserves their entire fresh- man seasons. Classmate Jay Hayes earned playing time in Notre Dame's final three games of the season. Junior Jacob Matuska also earned the first extensive playing time of his career. Collectively, there is still plenty to prove. Depth ★★½ Quality depth requires three ingredients: bodies, experienced bodies and talent. On all three fronts, Notre Dame shows promise heading into the 2015 season. Nine players return that were a part of the rotation last season. Notre Dame also adds junior Doug Randolph, who moves to end after spending his first two seasons at linebacker, to the mix. Incoming freshman Jerry Tillery will be a vital cog this fall, giving Notre Dame a 10th player for its rotation. Overall Grade ★★½ No unit has more pressure placed upon it than the defensive line. Notre Dame has a talented group of linebackers behind it and the back end of the defense could be one of the nation's best. It will be up to the line to provide enough production to allow the Irish defense to play at a championship level. There is enough returning experience, enough depth and certainly enough talent for the unit to play at a high level. However, for the last two seasons the defensive line has not always produced to the level its talent should dictate. It is hoped that new line coach Keith Gilmore will be able to get the unit back on track. FRESHMAN JERRY TILLERY MAKES AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT Jerry Tillery first became known to Fighting Irish fans in June 2013 when he announced his commitment to Notre Dame before even starting his junior year of high school, making him the first member of the 2015 class. Despite rumors to the contrary, the Louisiana native stuck to his word and enrolled at Notre Dame this January. After making a name for himself as a prep offensive line recruit, Tillery, it was announced, would actually play defen- sive tackle when he arrived in South Bend. The 6-6½, 300-pounder had been pictured as a future replacement for offen- sive left tackle Ronnie Stanley, leaving many to wonder if he would be able to make the same kind of impact on defense. Once spring practice began, Tillery quickly became the talk of the defense. It was not about Tillery being a surprise player; it was about him being an impact player. "Far and away the story is Jerry Tillery. He's just a unique player, one that I can't remember that I've coached," Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said. "He just has a unique ability at such a young age to use his hands. "We usually spend the first year and a half trying to get these kids to not drop their heads and be overextended, but he immediately can use his hands and size to his advantage … I'm leery to talk about a freshman, but he's a unique talent." Defensive line coach Keith Gilmore was likewise impressed by Tillery. "He's ahead of most high school kids I've ever had," Gilmore noted. "He had a good high school football coach that taught him how to use his hands. Usually that's the biggest step from high school to college football — being able to play with your hands on an every-down basis. He's got that down pretty good." Tillery has also impressed Gilmore with his work ethic and willingness to learn the game. "He's a one-mistake guy, a really good student, a smart kid," Gilmore continued. "But the thing that I'm seeing that I'm really excited about is he doesn't get rattled. A lot of young kids, when they make mistakes and you rip their tails, they go in the tank. He doesn't do that. He says, 'Okay, Coach, I've got it,' goes to the next play and acts like nothing happened." Tillery's spring performance has put him in position to become an instrumental figure on the 2015 Irish defensive line. — Bryan Driskell Head coach Brian Kelly called Tillery a unique tal- ent, citing his size (6-6½, 300 pounds) and ad- vanced technique for a young player. PHOTO BY JOE RAYMOND