Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2012 Notre Dame Football Preview
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/841614
BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2017 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ✦ 77 BY LOU SOMOGYI I n a world laden with instant messaging, instant access, instant cash, fast food … delayed gratification is not a popular path to travel. Yet it is that road less traveled that Notre Dame fifth-year senior left tackle Mike McGlinchey and senior left guard Quenton Nelson opted to take last winter despite the promise of an instant 2017 windfall in the NFL. Classified this spring as potential first- or second-round picks — if not the No. 1 prospect at their respective positions — the duo instead took a long-term view. "I'm not going into the NFL to be a 'first- round on paper,'" McGlinchey replied on what prompted him to return. "I want to be the best that I can be when I get there. I'm setting myself up for a career there. "Going in early or going in when you know that you have so many areas that you can improve and become the best that you can be — and the best hopefully in the coun- try — at what you do, that's the motivation for why I came back individually." Like McGlinchey, Nelson last December, as a true junior, submitted his name to the NFL Draft Advisory Board, a group that evaluates possible early entrants and pro- vides feedback on where they would stand. "I was interested in the grade, but I felt like I had a lot more to accomplish here," said Nelson, who is majoring in management consulting but would not share the grade because of his private demeanor. "I wanted to come back and get my degree first and foremost. That's why we're here — to graduate. I also decided to come here to win a national championship." Of all the position groups on the 2017 Fighting Irish team, the offensive line is con- sidered the best in terms of talent, experi- ence and depth. Lindy's ranked it No. 3 in the country, behind only Alabama and Oklahoma. Furthermore, in the publication's listing of the "Top 10 Dynamic Duos" in the country — usually reserved for receiving combi- nations or backfield tandems such as USC quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Ronald Jones II — the left side of Notre Dame's offensive line with McGlinchey and Nelson was No. 7. Blockbuster Duo Fighting Irish offensive line coach Harry Hiestand — a coaching veteran of 35 years in college and the NFL, the last five at Notre Dame — tapped the brakes on the hyperbole about McGlinchey and Nelson prior to last season when their union on the left side of the line was considered far superior to the rest of the Irish blockers. "I don't think either side has the world licked," Hiestand said candidly. "From an experience sense that is true, but it's a work in progress. I wouldn't say there's a drop-off. It's all got to get better." Similar to Paul Hornung winning the 1956 Heisman Trophy while Notre Dame finished 2-8, football is not about one or two stand- outs performing. There has to be a group harmony and symbiosis for team success, and the 4-8 Irish of 2016 did not possess it. While adjusting from right tackle to the left side in 2016 to replace first-round pick Ron- nie Stanley, McGlinchey was occasionally askew on his footwork, and he was called for an inordinately high nine illegal procedures. However, Pro Football Focus (PFF) — which grades every single play in every game — had McGlinchey as the nation's No. 3 run-blocking tackle with an 81.8 grade, behind only Texas' Connor Williams (84.5) and Kansas State's Dalton Risner. Meanwhile, Nelson was chosen by PFF as the Midseason All-American guard with Washington State's Cody O'Connell before dropping a bit in the ratings at the end of the season. Still, he did not allow a sack and gave up just one quarterback hit (on 456 pass attempts) in 2016. Lindy's rated McGlinchey (68) and Nelson (56) No. 7 on its list of the "Top 10 Dynamic Duos" in the country for 2017, and also tabbed the Irish as the third best offensive line in large part due to their presence. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA