Notre Dame Football: 3 biggest 2021 offseason questions for Irish

3. Will Marcus Freeman maintain defensive prowess?

If Notre Dame fans are concerned about a major philosophical switch from Clark Lea to Marcus Freeman, they need not worry. One major characteristic of the defense that will not change: versatility. There are more specific aspects of the defense that will not change either.

At their core, both the Lea and Freeman defensive schemes are based on being gap sound. In other words, by design, they keep everything in front of them.

The point of a gap sound defense is to keep everything in front of them and limit big plays. The differences between the defenses are subtle. Freeman is a bit more aggressive with using defensive linemen to shoot gaps to penetrate. Lea had more elite talent at the EDGE positions to penetrate and get pressure on the quarterback. His base look was often a 3-4, where Freeman was more 3-3-5, but both coordinators changed looks based on down, distance and offensive personnel groupings.

The fifth defensive back in Freeman’s scheme tends to be a purer safety than the rover in Lea’s scheme. This season, however, Freeman might get that pure safety if Ohio State transfer Isaiah Pryor takes on the rover position.

The defense might have some subtle tweaks but not an entire philosophical difference.