Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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as someone who im- Spond in front of him the third. The Irish finpressed them on the and Butkus Award win- ished the season with scout team. ner Jaylon Smith arriv- 23 takeaways ��� 16 in���I���ve gotten antsy ing this summer, Coun- terceptions and seven [about playing], but it���s cell will have to make fumble recoveries. Yet, just a blessing to be on a strong statement for their one weak spot in the team, help out your increased playing time 2012 was a lack of highteammates, give the de- during the next month. impact plays that kept fense a good look and opponents headed in the the offense a good look,��� Prepare For Impact wrong direction. he said prior to the BCS Three simple steps The Irish finished 78th National Championship comprise Diaco���s defen- among Football Bowl Game. sive philosophy: Do any- Subdivision schools in At 6-5, 299 pounds, thing possible (and le- tackles for loss, averagJones has the size to play gal) to limit points, stop ing 5.38 per game. In on Notre Dame���s every other major elite defensive statistical category, line and the active the defense ended hands that make the season ranked him a headache for no lower than 27th. opponents while Their struggles weren���t for a lack rushing the passer. With at least one of playmakers. Exvacant spot in the plosive athletes such as Tuitt, Nix defensive end twoand rising senior deep, he���ll get his linebacker Prince shot this spring. Shembo ��� to name Ben Councell is a few ��� have the in the ���players to potential to cause watch��� category for the second straight problems in most season. The junior- Linebacker Prince Shembo enters his final sea- defensive backto-be outside line- son at Notre Dame with career totals of 97 fields. backer (6-5, 240 stops, 19 tackles for loss and 14 sacks. ���One guy who photo by lon horwedel just really brings pounds) had an inside lane for the Dog what an opponent does it day in and day out is linebacker starting spot best and, if possible, cre- Prince Shembo,��� Grace last year before Spond ate disruptions that lead said in December. ���He���s emerged as the best fit to offense. doing a lot of things Notre Dame exceled other guys can���t physithere. He fills the prototype of what Notre in its first two objec- cally do. He���s a physiDame wants along the tives last season and cal specimen out there, perimeter. But with made a leap forward in really aggressive, really