Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/561665
With three capable players vying for snaps at one position, Notre Dame has cross-trained its linebackers this fall to be adept at multiple positions. • NICKEL BACK: Freshman Shaun Craw- ford was suiting up with the first-team defense as the nickel back (and also would have been a special teams con- tributor) prior to his season-ending ACL injury midway through camp. With Crawford no longer an option, fifth-year senior Matthias Farley will be used in some nickel looks while he cross-trains at safety. Notre Dame has also moved Russell inside to nickel, with junior Devin Butler leading soph- omore Nick Watkins and freshman Nick Coleman for the No. 3 spot. • SAFETY: The coaches insist junior Max Redfield will be a different player this fall. At the other safety position, graduate transfer Avery Sebastian and No. Defensive End Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 90 Isaac Rochell 6-4 287 Jr./2 55 Jonathan Bonner 6-3 275 So./4 or 92 Grant Blankenship 6-5 273 So./3 Note: Fifth-year senior Ishaq Williams is enrolled at the school, but has not practiced while his 2015 eligi- bility remains pending with the NCAA. No. Defensive Tackle Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 91 Sheldon Day 6-2 285 Sr./1 93 Jay Hayes 6-3 285 So./3 97 Micah Dew-Treadway 6-4 300 Fr./4 58 Elijah Taylor 6-3 285 Fr./4 No. Nose Guard Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 99 Jerry Tillery 6-6½ 305 Fr./4 75 Daniel Cage 6-1 315 So./3 89 Jacob Matuska 6-4½ 295 Jr./3 96 Peter Mokwuah 6-3 317 So./4 Note: Senior Jarron Jones, returning as the starter at the position, was lost for the season when he suffered an MCL injury Aug. 14. No. Defensive End Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 45 Romeo Okwara 6-4 270 Sr./1 98 Andrew Trumbetti 6-3½ 260 So./3 44 Doug Randolph 6-2 255 Jr./3 No. Mike Linebacker Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 38 Joe Schmidt 6-0½ 235 5th/1 5 Nyles Morgan 6-1 237 So./3 59 Jarrett Grace 6-2½ 253 5th/1 No. Will Linebacker Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 9 Jaylon Smith 6-2½ 235 Jr./2 4 Te'von Coney 6-0 230 Fr./4 30 Josh Barajas 6-3 212 Fr./4 No. Sam Linebacker Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 17 James Onwualu 6-1 220 Jr./2 48 Greer Martini 6-2½ 240 So./3 27 Asmar Bilal 6-3 210 Fr./4 No. Cornerback Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 6 KeiVarae Russell 5-11 196 Sr./2 24 Nick Coleman 5-11½ 185 Fr./4 26 Ashton White 5-11 182 Fr./4 47 Connor Cavalaris 5-11 195 5th/1 Note: Freshman Shaun Crawford suffered a season- ending ACL tear Aug. 19. No. Safety Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 10 Max Redfield 6-1 205 Jr./2 41 Matthias Farley 5-11 210 5th/1 29 Nicky Baratti 6-1 210 Sr./2 18 Mykelti Williams 5-11 200 Fr./4 No. Safety Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 22 Elijah Shumate 6-0 224 Sr./1 or 8 Avery Sebastian 5-10 200 5th/1 23 Drue Tranquill 6-1½ 225 So./3 31 John Turner 6-1½ 220 Sr./2 No. Cornerback Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 36 Cole Luke 5-11 193 Jr./2 12 Devin Butler 6-0½ 200 Jr./2 21 Nick Watkins 6-0½ 200 So./3 2015 BGI Scholarship Depth Chart