talent and experience. Now in 2016
the group will be without its top line-
man (Day), game-changing linebacker
(Smith), ultra-confident corner (Rus-
sell), top safety (Elijah Shumate), best
pass rusher (Romeo Okwara) and the
Mike linebacker who couldn't be taken
off the field (Joe Schmidt) because he
understood VanGorder's scheme bet-
ter than anyone.
Even though Notre Dame on paper
might seem not as good individually
on defense in 2016, that doesn't mean
it can't be better collectively.
In 2016, Notre Dame's strength on
defense is expected to be a quality
front-line nucleus, featuring fifth-year
senior Jarron Jones (back from an MCL
injury that sidelined him in 2015) and
sophomore Jerry Tillery in the interior,
and third-year starting senior Isaac
Rochell and junior Andrew Trumbetti
along the flanks.
It also will have plenty of veteran
starting support with seniors James
Onwualu (Sam linebacker), Cole Luke
(cornerback) and Max Redfield (free
safety).
New starters will have to be broken
in at Mike and Will linebacker, strong
safety and cornerback.
The bottom line, though, is Van-
Gorder will have to overcome the per-
ception his NFL schemes don't fit well
collegiately because of the finite prac-
tice time college players have com-
pared to the pros. In other words, it
takes years for an individual to fully
grasp the scheme, its variations, its
derivatives and its big-picture frame-
work.
The expectation is that by year three
at Notre Dame, it should be enough
time. ✦
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