Notre Dame Football: All-time Brian Kelly era team

Defensive Ends

Kapron Lewis-Moore, a former four-star product out of Texas, cracks this list as the team’s strong-side defensive end. Before getting started on why Lewis-Moore belongs on this team, here’s a little bit of context in terms of where he fits on this squad. Given the multiple formations deployed under Kelly, this defense will feature two defensive ends, one tackle, and one outside linebacker along the defensive line.

Given his impressive stats, Lewis-Moore would’ve made Kelly’s all-time team regardless of defensive alignment. Lewis-Moore made immediate contributions as a redshirt, but one of his best years would come in his first under Kelly as he recorded 62 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks as a junior. However, Lewis-Moore would play just over half a season in 2011.

Lewis-Moore made a statement in his final year with the Irish, recording career highs in both tackles for loss and sacks over the course of the 2012 season. Despite registering significantly fewer tackles in his senior season, Lewis-Moore succeeded in solidifying himself as one of Kelly’s best defensive ends.

After being selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, some expected then rookie Stephon Tuitt to serve as a tackle in the NFL. However, Tuitt didn’t stray far from his position with the Irish as the Steelers coaching staff opted to keep him at defensive end. After all, Tuitt did enjoy the majority of his success at the 5-technique.

That success started early for Tuitt as the college freshmen went on to record 30 tackles, three for loss, and two sacks in 2011. Similar to the careers of many successful college athletes, Tuitt’s sophomore season brought along a significant jump in play as he went on to record 47 tackles and 12 sacks in 2012.

Tuitt would enter the NFL Draft following a strong 2013 season, but not before earning First Team All-American honors from the likes of ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and others. While Lewis-Moore did take on a similar role for the Irish, there’s plenty of room for both of these players on Kelly’s all-time roster.

Defensive Tackle

Much like those mentioned before him, Sheldon Day’s college football career began at the 5-technique. However, in the wake of Tuitt’s departure and defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder’s implemented schemes, Day made a much needed switch to tackle. All things considered, this switch contributed significantly to Day’s development in college and beyond.

Day proved to be an excellent addition to a strong Irish front, contributing 23 tackles and two sacks in his first year with the team. Day would put forth a promising sophomore campaign, but it wasn’t until his junior and senior seasons that opponents truly began gameplanning against him. Despite constant double-teams, Day recorded 85 tackles and five sacks in his final two seasons.

Day would serve as a team captain from 2014 to 2015, earning an assortment of awards and honors near the end of his collegiate career. Day also qualified for numerous award watch lists before being selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.