Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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"It generally has a leadership component relative to understanding all of the fronts and adjustments and clearly getting people lined up," Kelly said of the Mike position. "So the complexities are that that position generally takes on that leadership role. … We obvi- ously felt good about putting all that on Joe's plate. We're not going to be able to do that with Nyles." "Nyles" is freshman Nyles Morgan, who saw his first extensive duty on defense when Schmidt was hurt and was credited with four tackles (three solo). Among the errors were over-pursuing on a toss sweep on a Navy touchdown and also letting the fullback out on Navy's two-point play that cut its deficit to 42-39. "His trait is he's got great physical ability," Kelly said. "… If we can get him to the right place with the physical traits that he has, he could be a good player for us." In addition to Morgan's physical traits, the staff has lauded his mental toughness as a student of the game. "We said to him about three weeks in, 'You're either going to quit or you're going to be one of the best players that's ever played here,' because we're hard on him — really hard on him — and he just keeps coming back asking for more, and that's the kind of kid he is," Kelly said. "From day one, he's been in there asking questions, learning the defense, watching film." During the week of preparation for Arizona State, the Irish also were attempting to build depth behind Morgan, and cross train at linebacker. Sophomore Michael Deeb, redshirted last year, was listed No. 2 behind Morgan. Freshman Greer Martini, who is Jaylon Smith's backup at Will, started against Navy (with Smith moving outside) to handle the triple option and was credited with a team-high nine tackles (six solo). If someone like Smith takes on Schmidt's role with communication on the field, then Morgan will have much less burden on him. "If it's given to somebody else, the Mike linebacker position can be as easy as you make it," Kelly said. " You can be a single-gap run supporter; you can be a hook player, and you can make it really easy. We certainly are going to have to take some of that load away from Nyles and kind of disperse it to others because we're not going to heap that all on him. "Everybody is going to have to pick up a little bit. Jaylon is going to have to pick up. The defensive line is going to have to be more assertive … our safeties. Everybody is going to have to pick up the slack for the loss of a guy that really did most of the work." Kelly also confirmed what has been long suspected. Senior Jarrett Grace, the starter at Mike halfway through 2013 before shattering his leg against Arizona State Oct. 5., will not be able to help this season. The Irish head coach also said it's a safe assumption that Schmidt will return for his fifth season of eligibility in 2015. UNDER THE DOME Schmidt, who is eligible to return for a fifth season in 2015, paced the Irish in tackles (65) and solo stops (42), while tying for the team lead in interceptions (two) and forced fumbles (two), before suffering a season-ending ankle injury against Navy Nov. 1. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA