2015 Notre Dame Football Preview

2015 Notre Dame Football Preview

Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2012 Notre Dame Football Preview

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94 ✦ BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2015 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY ANDREW OWENS N ow in year two at the helm of the Irish defense and with a — relatively speaking — healthier defense, coordinator Brian VanGorder is looking at which players might cross-train prior to the season opener against Texas Sept. 5. During spring practice, much was made of junior Will linebacker Jaylon Smith cross-training at Sam linebacker. Because of an abun- dance of linebackers on the roster with starting experience, Notre Dame is trying to figure out how to get its three best players at the position on the field at all times. "We've only done it a couple times, so not enough information is there yet, but he's fine," VanGorder said of Smith early in the spring. "The first day we did it he looked real good, especially when we ran some pressure with him. He looked like you'd expect him to look." It's not yet determined just how much of Smith's time will be spent at Sam linebacker. "I'd say that depends on how much the backup Will lineback- ers come along," VanGorder said. "We'll possibly cross-train Joe [Schmidt], who's very bright, at Mike and Will." VanGorder added that cross-training linebackers is a staple of his defense and that injuries and lack of depth prevented Notre Dame from dabbling in that area in 2014. "Last year, we were real short in numbers, and we had injuries coming into spring ball this year, including Joe [who missed most of spring ball]," he said. "We've got a backup Will linebacker who just came from high school [Te'von Coney] that you're trying to see how he's going to come along. "We're holding ourselves back with guys that are not participat- ing in practice. We've got a lot of guys to develop and bring along. They've got to take advantage of it. This is their opportunity." One reason why Notre Dame is able to experiment with Smith, Schmidt and Nyles Morgan at different positions is the upgraded depth — a theme head coach Brian Kelly sees across the roster. "This is the first time since I've been here where I feel like I can go into practice and I can bang around," he said. "It feels like we've got the depth necessary to go and play football. I always felt like I'm tiptoeing around this roster in the spring because we're afraid over here or afraid over here. "We can go play, really target some of the younger players in cer- tain areas, let them get in there and get after it." VanGorder echoed the same thoughts and added that he was up- lifted by the defense's growth during the 15-practice spring session. "We've got a lot of ascending players, but we've got a lot of work ahead of us," he noted. "They're ascending, but it's got to MOVING PIECES In year two under defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder, the Irish want to take advantage of their personnel's versatility LINEBACKERS Fifth-year senior Joe Schmidt led the Irish with 65 tackles before breaking his ankle in the eighth game of the season. He still ended up earning team MVP honors. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA

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