perienced defensive lineman in the
group. "Knowing our rush lanes,
when you can counter, when you can
do certain things like that. I feel like
when Stephon and Louis were here
we kind of relied on them to give us
the pass rush."
Day will have help from converted
linebackers Ishaq Williams and Romeo
Okwara (who had three sacks in the
spring game) as well as players being
trained as pass rush specialists such
as senior Anthony Rabasa and early
enrollee Andrew Trumbetti.
Defensive line coach Mike Elston's
top priority this spring was to try to
instill a "dominating spirit" in his
pack of young players still unsure
of how good they are. He said play-
ers such as tackle/nose guard Jarron
Jones and Okwara made great strides
in that department during the second
half of the spring. Okwara (6-4, 258
pounds) went through some severe
growing pains during the first few
weeks of playing with his hand on
the ground at all times, but showed
why the coaching staff wanted him to
make the move with his performance
in the spring game. His emergence
is an example of the changes Notre
Dame is making all over its defense
this year — sacrificing size for the sake
of speed. ✦
Former safety John Turner's move to Sam linebacker is indicative of Notre Dame's decision to sacrifice
size for speed on the defensive side of the ball.
PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA
