Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2019 Notre Dame Football Preview
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1133608
BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2019 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ✦ 107 BY TODD D. BURLAGE I f it's true that folks get only one chance to make a first impression, then current Notre Dame senior Jalen Elliott made darn sure he wasn't going to miss his shot in the spring of 2014. In search for better coaching and competition to eventually pursue a college basketball career, Elliott trans- ferred during his sopho- more year from Hanover High School in Mechan- icsville, Va., to prep pow- erhouse Lloyd C. Bird High School near Richmond — a Virginia state title winner in both football and basketball. Bird High School basketball is coached by Troy Manns, who also served as Elliot's AAU coach during the summer, leaving a transfer choice an attractive and logical option. "I was an all-out basketball player," said Elliott, who drew some college attention as a versatile point or shooting guard. "That was definitely my dream, to play basketball." But it was on the football field during spring workouts at Bird when this two-sport star made a first impression that then-Sky- hawks head football coach David Bedwell still marvels at years later. "This kid shows up, he walks on the field for the first time and within two minutes he's barking out orders, getting kids lined up, mak- ing calls," Bedwell recalled. "Right from the beginning, he wasn't afraid to lead and wasn't afraid to step up. It was an amazing thing." Lloyd C. Bird High School — a foot- ball powerhouse with a 73-6 record since 2009 — had won two consecutive Virginia state championships in football when Elliott transferred there, so the program was hardly void of talent or leadership. "We had a bunch of guys who were really good and really seasoned," Bedwell said. "And here's a sophomore transfer walking in and taking over. That doesn't happen." It did happen, and it happened in spades. As the eventual Richmond Area Player of the Year and an all-state quarterback, Elliott led Bird to its third straight state champion- ship during his junior season. And Elliott's success continues to happen five years later at Notre Dame where this high school quarterback turned collegiate safety went from fighting for his starting spot a year ago to becoming the busiest and most instinctive player on the team, and per- haps even its most passionate leader. "As far as techniques go," said Elliott, who is now a legitimate NFL prospect, "it took some time to learn a new position at this level." Elliott's 934 snaps (72 per game) led the Irish defense last season, plus his work on three of the four special team units put him well over 1,000 snaps total. He returns this season with more career tackles (124) and interceptions (four) than anyone else on the roster, and his nine passes broken up are second only to senior corner- back Troy Pride Jr.'s 13. "I try to make sure that I am in the right place at the right time," Elliott added. "That's also come in time." Playing opposite of Elliott at safety is complementary counterpart Alohi Gilman. Together, this Irish duo expects to become the nation's best safety tandem in terms of performance and leadership. "It's like having two really good defen- semen in hockey," Irish head coach Brian Kelly. "They look good together, and that pair really works well together." "I always say safety is the quarterback of the defense," Elliott added. "Being able to communicate what I want to say and put guys in the right places is what I did at quarterback in high school. I think it translated to safety." Elliott's Emergence Even the most ardent Notre Dame fans probably don't realize that Elliott is the lone Notre Dame player on defense or of- fense to start all 26 games for the Irish the last two seasons (no one else has more than 20 starts). Elliott's path to starter security, though, has been far from tight. As a sophomore in 2017, Elliott started all 13 games, but his performance was sketchy and his confidence often rattled at a position group that lacked numbers, experience and premier talent that year. For the first time since football went to a two-platoon system in 1964, the Irish safe- ties failed to record a single interception that season, and Elliott was even benched late in the 2018 Citrus Bowl after whiffing on a critical sideline tackle. Be it through recruiting, the transfer wire or any other means, fortifying the safety po- sition became a priority for the Irish coaches in 2018. With an influx of talented newcom- ers added to the roster prior to last season, most notably Navy transfer Gilman, a start- ing spot for Elliott was far from guaranteed. Instead of looking over his shoulder and wondering who was next in line, Elliott took on all teammate competition and every coaching challenge last preseason, held his job and evolved from vulnerable to valuable in every way. Elliott was a different player, and arguably the most improved member of the team. He beamed with confidence and showcased an innate ability to dissect opponent plays well before they developed. His four interceptions led the Irish. He was also third with seven passes broken up, fourth with 67 tackles and first in respect. "Guys have come to me and said that I have earned that," said Elliott, who was picked by the Irish coaches as one of eight SWAT team offseason workout leaders and is a strong can- didate for team captainship this fall. "Jalen's leadership has been fantastic," Irish defensive coordinator Clark Lea said. "The thing for him is first being a tone setter for us. But beyond that, it's also policing the standards that Coach Kelly set forth, that I set forth defensively. "He's shown a willingness to do that, and that's been fun to see, too. I'm doing less talk- ing because Jalen touched it before I get to it." That leadership even spilled into recruit- ing. Elliott was instrumental in helping the Irish coaches secure a verbal commitment from four-star Virginia standout Chris Tyree, who is rated as the nation's top all-purpose back by Rivals and was Notre Dame's No. 1 target in its 2020 recruiting mission. Along Came Alohi Alohi Gilman never necessarily felt lost during his seven-year period of non-stop relocation, but he's glad to finally call South Bend and Notre Dame home, even if the sunsets and weather pale in comparison to TERRIFIC TANDEM Seniors Alohi Gilman and Jalen Elliott provide the Irish strong leadership and high-level production at safety Gilman's 95 tackles last season ranked second on the Irish. He also posted two interceptions and three forced fumbles. PHOTO BY ANGELA DRISKELL