Notre Dame Football: 5 biggest concerns for Fighting Irish in 2019

5. Replacing Jerry Tillery

Jerry Tillery was a key piece to this Notre Dame defense in the pass rush. He led the team in forced fumbles, and he tied for first in sacks. He also set the edge in the run game.

Having a player like Tillery helps the entire defense. His ability to get to the quarterback not only stops drives when he manages to get a sack, but it forces incompletions and interceptions when the quarterback has to throw the ball early. It’s the type of impact that affects every game both on and off the stat sheet.

Without Tillery, the entire defense will have to step up. They will need a bigger impact from both the defensive line and the secondary. It will be more important for defenders to stay pressed in coverage with wide receivers, and the defensive line will have to fill his absence in the rush.

Julian Okwara will be a big piece on the defensive line. He had as many sacks last year as Tillery did, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he made it to double digits in 2019. You also have plenty of returning seniors in the defense in both the front seven and the secondary. With these veterans, the defense should be in good hands.

It will just come down to if the pass rush can be as good as it was last year without their star lineman Jerry Tillery. I don’t think they will be as good in the pass rush, but I still think they will be effective in big games.