Notre Dame Football: Defensive outlook for 2016
By Bobby Norell
How will the Notre Dame defense look next year and can the Fighting Irish replace All-American linebacker, Jaylon Smith?
After last week’s Fiesta Bowl loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes the Notre Dame Fighting Irish finished with a 10-3 record should be content with the outcome of the season, especially with all the injuries ND sustained on both sides of the ball.
Related Story: Best College Football Player Born in Each State
Although, it is hard not to get some sense of disappointment considering all the promise and hype that surrounded this team at the beginning of the year. The Irish are set to lose some key contributors on defense from the 2015 squad, but all hope should not be lost for a productive and successful 2016 season.
If there is one glaring weakness the Irish have and need to address, it is without a doubt their defense. Although the injury to Jaylon Smith was terrible, he most likely would not have made the difference against Ohio State. The Irish were owned at the line of scrimmage as the Buckeyes rattled off 285 rushing yards. This is an area on defense they need to improve upon next season.
Isaac Rochell, Jarron Jones, Daniel Cage and Jerry Tillery are all slated to return next season, so the Irish should not be green on the d-line. They also have some guys who didn’t see much action this year, such as Andrew Trumbetti, Jonathan Bonner as well as some others.
More from College Football News
- Michigan State vs. Maryland: Location, time, prediction, and more
- Ranking college football’s top 10 quarterbacks after Week 3
- Things are going to get much darker for the Houston Cougars
- Biggest winners and losers from College Football Week 3
- #10 Alabama football: 3 takeaways from close road win against USF
Brian Kelly also has a few recruits coming in that could step in see some playing time in Kareem Khalid and Romeo Okwara’s brother, Julian. Five-star recruit Daelin Hayes is also projected to make the move to the defensive line when he enrolls, so the Irish will have plenty of talent on the defensive line.
A big part of defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder’s scheme is predicated on pressuring the quarterback and forcing turnovers. Notre Dame did not do that this season as they were ranked No. 78 in sacks and No. 102 in turnover margin. The Irish will somehow need to get a better pass rush next season if VanGorder is intent on keeping the same scheme.
The Irish are going to take a huge hit in the linebacking corp by losing Joe Schmidt and most likely losing Jaylon Smith. The two brought loads of experience and smarts to the defense and in Smith’s case, he brought that and a boatload of talent.
Luckily for Irish fans, Kelly has done a pretty good job of accumulating talented depth at the linebacker spot over the last year and a half. Tevon Coney is set to take Smith’s spot as the weak-side linebacker, and even if he ends up being half the play Jaylon Smith was Notre Dame is going to have a pretty damn good linebacker.
There are a couple of candidates that can step in take Schmidt’s place. Josh Barajas, Greer Martini and Nyles Morgan are all players who can step in. Whoever steps in should be a major upgrade in terms of talent and skill from Schmidt.
The weakest of ND’s weak link was the secondary. The Irish were No. 27 against the pass, but what hurt them was the big play. The Irish ranked No. 74 in giving up pass plays of 50 yards or more and lose Elijah Shumate, KeiVarae Russell and Mathias Farley. Shumate was arguably their best defensive back all season, so losing him will be a tough blow. Russell and Farley both had great careers and will be missed as well, but what remains in the secondary?
Max Redfield is slated to return and he’s had an up and down career to this point and has yet to put it all together on the field. If does do that next season, he can easily fill the loss of Shumate.
More from Saturday Blitz
- Michigan State vs. Maryland: Location, time, prediction, and more
- ACC Power Rankings: Can #4 FSU overthrow Clemson at Death Valley East?
- Most heartwarming social media reactions to Nick Chubb’s injury
- Ranking college football’s top 10 quarterbacks after Week 3
- Things are going to get much darker for the Houston Cougars
Drue Tranquil was lost in the third game of the year to injury but was playing some great ball at the time of his injury. Expect him to play some meaningful snaps at safety next season.
Nick Watkins did an admirable job stepping in and playing against Ohio State, so he may have the upper hand on the cornerback opposite to Cole Luke. Again Coach Kelly has does a great job of bringing in quality secondary depth, especially in this year’s class. The Irish are slated to bring in four, four-star defensive backs next season.
The defense as a whole absolutely needs to improve next season. It’s going to be hard without the likes of Jaylon Smith and Sheldon Day, but it certainly can be done. We don’t know what kind of positive or negative impact the guys who didn’t play much this season will have next season.
More saturday blitz: 50 Hot Photos of CFB Cheerleaders
For all we know Morgan could end up being the next great middle linebacker at Notre Dame. If you take a look at the Clemson Tigers the replaced a multitude of guys on defense from 2014’s squad, and there right there playing for a national title. Can the Irish do the same? Only time will tell.