After the historic pounding Notre Dame’s defense took at the end of the 2014 season (and following his ugly season at Auburn,) it’s fair to wonder if Brian Van Gorder is a defensive coordinator passed by time. Early into the  2014 season, the Irish looked strong, but once faced by pace/tempo (meaning, the sub packages were useless) and injuries the defense disintegrated in to the worst in Notre Dame history (literally the worst).   To be fair, it was a defense hamstrung from the start after losing KeiVarae Russell and Ishaq Williams.   The losses of Collinsworth and, later, Joe Schmidt (and a host of defensive linemen) further degraded the ability of a defense hurt by loss of talent to coordinate a complicated defensive approach. That lack of communication combined with inability to cover deep, missed assignments and lack of a pass rush (supplemented by long, loop around blitzes) turned the Irish into one of the worst defenses in football by the end of the year.

So… now that we’re all giddy with pessimism… what to expect going forward?

Linebacker
Using Rivals depth chart as a base, I think the position area that will most surprise Irish fans is the linebacker position. Not only do the Irish return Joe Schmidt and a more learned Nyles Morgan, but they gain Jarrett Grace who after a horrific injury was all but given up on by many Irish faithful.  Oddly, ND has a logjam at middle linebacker, though not a perfect logjam. Morgan is the heir apparent, but still trying to get his assignments right. Schmidt played fantastic last year, but is coming off an injury and won’t test off the NFL combine charts and Grace (once called the werewolf) has a lot prove in both areas after being labeled rusty. Onwualu remains a great option as a cover LB, but still lacks size to match up with tight ends.   Greer Martini is going to be a very good upperclassman, but will he get there this year?  In the meantime the staff is cross training Jaylon Smith at the Sam position in an effort to keep him on the field as much as possible. Despite the question-marks, depth and talent give the Irish a strong group to put out on the field with freshmen Bilal and Barajas yet to show up on campus.

Sam Linebacker (Outside)
17 James Onwualu (6-1, 220), Jr./2
48 Greer Martini (6-2 ½ , 240), So./3
43 Kolin Hill (6-1 ½ , 230), So./3

Mike Linebacker: 
5 Nyles Morgan (6-0 ¾ , 237), So./3
59 Jarrett Grace (6-2 ½, 253), 5th/1
*38 Joe Schmidt (6-0 ½ , 235), 5th/1

Will Linebacker
9 Jaylon Smith (6-2 ½, 235), Jr./2
4 Te’Von Coney (6-0 , 230), Fr./4
42Michael Deeb (6-2, 255), Jr./3

Defensive Line

The first string defensive line for the Irish (if fully healed) should be a top ten lineup. The return of Jarron Jones with Sheldon Day, Isaac Rochelle, Anthony Trumbetti and Romeo Okwara give the Irish five battle tested, if not always dominant DL. Given the injuries last year it was tough to tell how talented they were. Regardless that proven front backed up by Hayes, Cage (big boy), Matuska, Blankenship and others who received meaningful minutes should mean that the Irish are never in “fully depleted” mode this year. Last year ND was playing fourth stringers.

It’s not a stretch to say that Rochelle, Day and Jones could all soon bring home NFL paychecks, but can anyone in the group get a pass rush without having to resort to slow forming telegraphed blitzes that hand yards to other teams?

Everyone in the program has mentioned the talent of Jerry Tillery, but you still never want to rely on a freshman to play a lot of minutes in year one.   There’s a lot of talent and a lot of depth, but no one yet who can terrorize the backfields of opponents without help. It’s odd to have a defensive line this deep at Notre Dame (and a sign of things to come) but just as odd to have no quarterback killers on the starting lineup. Grant Blankenship may hold the most promise of any of the rush ends in this regard.

Strong Side End
90 Isaac Rochell (6-3 ½, 287), Jr./2
92 Grant Blankenship (6-4 ¼, 252), So./3
*55 Jonathan Bonner (6-3, 275), So./4

3-Technique/Tackle
91 Sheldon Day (6-2, 285), Sr./1
93 Jay Hayes (6-3, 285), So./3
97 Micah Dew-Treadway (6-4, 295), Fr./4

1 Technique/Nose Guard
99 Jerry Tillery (6-6 ½ , 300), Fr./4
89 Jacob Matuska (6-4, ½, 295), Jr./3
96 Peter Mokwuah (6-2 ¾, 317), So./4
*94 Jarron Jones (6-5 ½, 315), Sr./2
*75 Daniel Cage (6-0 ½, 315), So./3

Weak Side End
45 Romeo Okwara (6-4, 260), Sr./1
98 Andrew Trumbetti (6-3 ½ , 255), So./3
44 Doug Randolph (6-2, 240), Jr./3
33 Jhonny Williams (6-4, 260), So./4

Defensive Back

I’m going to go out on a limb and say that the safety mess of last year will be a strength this year. Thin as skin and bringing Redfield back off the bench, the Irish still could pose one of the most intimidating secondaries in the country next year. Todd Lyght has received rave reviews early on and (at least at this early point) the players have responded.

Starting with Keivarae Russell, who apparently ran sub 4.4 40s in training this summer at one corner  and Cole Luke at the other corner spot, few teams will be able to bring better corner play.   Perhaps more importantly, Max Redfield and Elijah Schumate have shown great communication skills so far this spring to couple with their athleticism.   If that first unit can function on a high level supported by the additions of Avery Sebastian (look up him) Matthias Farley at nickel and Watkins and Butler as backup corner few teams in the country will be able to field as talented a defensive backfield. The second line, especially at safety, is a question mark. Drue Tranquill and Nicky Baratti both have great size and speed for the position, but have yet to show they can overcome their injuries.   John Turner, back from linebacker, remains a bit of an enigma.  Overall, the back of ND’s defense could be one of the most talented in the country.

Cornerback
36 Cole Luke (5-11, 190), Jr./3
47 Connor Cavalaris (5-11, 195), Sr./2

Cornerback
21 Nick Watkins (6-0 ¼, 200), So./3

12 Devin Butler (6-0 ½ , 195), Jr./2 OR

Strong Safety
22 Elijah Shumate (6-0, 213), Sr./1
31 John Turner (6-0 ½, 225). Sr./2
*23 Drue Tranquill (6-1 ½, 225), So./3

Free Safety
10 Max Redfield (6-1, 198), Jr./2
41 Matthias Farley (5-11, 205), 5th/1
29 Nick Baratti (6-1, 205), Sr./2