Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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of plays. Now that's a real youth "move- ment." When senior strongside end Wil- liams' 2014 season became kaput dur- ing an academic fraud investigation hearing — Williams said he plans to return in 2015 — Rochell stepped in seamlessly, just like Luke did for ju- nior KeiVarae Russell at corner and Fuller for senior DaVaris Daniels at wide receiver. "I hate to see that happen because I was getting closer with Ishaq," Ro- chell said. "He was a mentor to me. It's been an interesting transition, but I don't necessarily know how much has changed from before to after [in my approach]. I always tell people we work the same way." Rochell arrived in 2013 as one of the stronger freshmen ever to enroll, with 26 reps of a 225-pound bench press (Irish first-round offensive line- man Zack Martin did 29 at the NFL Combine). Where he needed more development was in the lower body, which occurred throughout his fresh- man campaign. "We love where he is because of what he can do and holding the point in our defense," head coach Brian Kelly said of Rochell. "On first and second down he can be an outstanding defender for us on the edge. And on third down he can move inside and really push the depth of the pocket. "We had a glimpse of him in the spring and his physical ability in terms of his strength was on display. We knew how strong he was … and we knew how that was starting to trans- late itself. If you had asked me if he was going to have [this] kind of year, I would not have been as surprised because we saw it coming." That "kind of year" included ty- ing junior mainstay Sheldon Day in most quarterback hurries with eight through the first six games. Rochell is not a classic speed rusher off the edge, yet it's a role where he has continued to improve. "A big, athletic, stout guy," fifth-year Irish senior offensive tackle Christian Lombard said. "The sky's the limit for him. He's refining his tools and getting better with his technique. You can tell every day he's getting better." "A smart player first of all, which re- ally helps, but he's really developed in the weight room," senior captain and left guard Nick Martin said of Rochell. Recruited by top Southern schools, including top ACC programs Florida State and Clemson, the McDonough, Ga., native and political science major respected but was not intimidated by his new surroundings at Notre Dame. "Football in the South is like a cul- tural thing," he said. "It just comes with it, and that's why you have such a huge concentration of football play- ers, whether it be linemen or any- thing. "It kind of becomes, from a sport aspect, the identity of the South. There is a high concentration of very good athletes in the South, so you're play- ing against really good people. High school spring ball plays a huge factor, and you're constantly getting to work on your trade and your development." The development of Notre Dame's sophomore class overall will be one to watch. ✦