Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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New Candidates Emerge Ready For Action (Ben) Councell In Session In 2012, junior Dog linebacker Danny Spond was "one of the players of the year" to Notre Dame defensive coordinator Bob Diaco. This spring, Spond's backup, sophomore Ben Councell, received similar praise. "Player of the spring, I would at least throw his name out there," Diaco said of Councell a couple of days prior to the Blue-Gold Game. "Not that he's the best player of the defense, but in terms of improvement of what he was to what he is, I would say most improved defensively. Benjamin has really done a lot and worked on his game." The 6-4, 248-pound Councell is sandwiched between the established Spond and incoming fivestar prospect Jaylon Smith at Dog Defensive coordinator Bob Diaco called sophomore linebacker linebacker. That speaks well to the Ben Councell, above, the most improved player on the Irish quality of depth the Fighting Irish defense this spring. photo by bill panzica have been building on defense. The Mayor: Sheldon Day When Sheldon Day lines up as a Notre Dame senior defensive lineman in 2015, fans and opponents alike might wonder, "How long has that guy been there — since the Lou Holtz era?" Merely a sophomore, Day already is a veteran-like figure for the Fighting Irish after playing a major role as a 2012 freshman behind the graduated Kapron Lewis-Moore. He recorded 23 tackles (3.5 for loss). Despite Day playing in the shadow of senior nose guard Louis Nix III and junior end Stephon Tuitt, his ability to shed blockers is considered the best on the team by head coach Brian Kelly. Referred to by Irish defensive coordinator Bob Diaco last year as an "Old Soul" because of his maturity, Day is becoming more the talk of the town — one that he might end up running. "He's one of the favorites on the team in terms of the guys," Diaco said. "… He's like the mayor of the town. He's got energy every day, he's smiling, he's happy … and he's fundamentally sound. He plays hard and he's got leverage and he understands the plays and he's got high football intelligence. He's a special guy."