Notre Dame Football: Projected depth chart after 2018 NSD
By Jacob Wilson
Defensive Line
Starting tackles: Jonathan Bonner, Jerry Tillery
Backups: Kurt Hinish, Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa
One of the many bright spots on Notre Dame’s defense this past year was the emergence of their defensive line. A fairly inexperienced group heading into 2017, starting tackles Jonathan Bonner and Jerry Tillery helped bring the Irish defensive front back to form, nearly doubling their sack totals from 2016. Both Bonner and Tillery have announced that they will return in 2018.
As for the second tier of the defensive interior, there is significant space along the line for incoming sophomores Kurt Hinish and Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa to earn even more valuable reps. Darnell Ewell, the Irish’s highest rated defender in their 2017 class, will also join the mix after redshirting his freshman year.
Starting ends: Daelin Hayes, Jay Hayes
Backups: Julian Okwara, Khalid Kareem
While the majority of this line’s talent is located on the interior, incoming junior Daelin Hayes and fifth-year senior Jay Hayes both held their own over the course of this past season. They will be challenged by juniors Julian Okwara and Khalid Kareem for the starting spots, but should each maintain their hold on their respective positions barring another boost in play from Kareem.