Notre Dame Football: 2017 projected two-deep depth chart

Notre Dame Football: Two-deep 2017 depth chart projection

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Wide receiver Chris Brown #2 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish hauls in a third quarter touchdown over cornerback Gareon Conley #8 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl at the University of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

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SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 17: Defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore #89 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Defensive ends

Starting ends: SR Jay Hayes (LE), SO Daelin Hayes (RE)

Thankfully, Notre Dame’s defensive end situation is more black and white. Hayes will man the ends of the defensive front. He should take significant steps forward.

Daelin is in less danger of being replaced. He is on track to have the better college career at the end of the day. Daelin recorded 11 total tackles in 2016 while Jay followed closely behind with 10. Neither have yet to record a sack at the position.

Backups: SR Andrew Trumbetti (LE), SO Julian Okwara (RE), SO Adetokunbo Ogundeji (LE/RE)

Andrew Trumbetti’s career got off to a hot start when he played in 12 games as a true freshman. One of those games being the Music City Bowl in which he registered his first career start. However, Trumbetti’s production fell off a bit in 2015 when he dropped from 21 total tackles down to 16.

While Jay Hayes is the better all-around player, Trumbetti has proved to be the superior pass-rusher. That could be used to his advantage when it comes to surpassing Hayes on the depth chart. Julian Okwara will serve as the backup to Daelin Hayes with Ogundeji appearing occasionally in relief.

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