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Notre Dame Football: 5 reasons the Irish will be in 2019 College Football Playoff

By Quinn Douglas

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 01: Zach Gentry #83 and Khalid Kareem #53 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate a 24-17 win over the Michigan Wolverines at Notre Dame Stadium on September 1, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 01: Zach Gentry #83 and Khalid Kareem #53 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate a 24-17 win over the Michigan Wolverines at Notre Dame Stadium on September 1, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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BLACKSBURG, VA – OCTOBER 6: Wide receiver Damon Hazelton #14 of the Virginia Tech Hokies is tackled by safety Jalen Elliott #21 and cornerback Julian Love #27 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half at Lane Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA – OCTOBER 6: Wide receiver Damon Hazelton #14 of the Virginia Tech Hokies is tackled by safety Jalen Elliott #21 and cornerback Julian Love #27 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half at Lane Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /

3. Improved individuals defensively

In terms of team defense, Notre Dame is essentially as good as they were last year statistically, maybe even slightly declined. However, there are some outstanding individuals that deserved to be recognized from this Irish defense.

The heart and soul of the Notre Dame defense is by far the linebacker duo of Te’von Coney and Drue Tranquill. Coney has registered 48 tackles this year and is averaging 6.8 tackles per game, slightly below his average from last year. Tranquill, however is on track to step us his performance greatly.

On the defensive line, the leader is by far away is the plug in the middle of the defense, 6-foot-7, 305-pound tackle Jerry Tillery. Last season, Tillery made 56 tackles, including nine tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. This season, he has already surpassed his sack total from 2017 with six sacks along with 6.5 tackles for loss on only 18 tackles on the season, which makes his accomplishments that much more impressive.

In the secondary, Notre Dame might be the most talented, non-SEC secondary in all of college football. They are led by junior cornerback Julian Love and junior safety Jalen Elliot. Love has earned the title of a “lockdown corner” as he only has one interception this season after three picks last season, with two returned for touchdowns. Safety Jalen Elliot might be the most improved player defensively, already close to surpassing his 2017 tackles total with 34 on the season as well as two interceptions.

This is a Notre Dame defense that does not lack star power on the defensive side of the ball.

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