Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/680997
UNDER THE DOME 2015 By Andrew Owens Since Notre Dame hired offensive line coach Harry Hiestand in 2012, that unit has consistently been among the program's best and sometimes among the nation's top units. The last two left tackles — Zack Martin and Ronnie Stanley — both were first- round picks in the NFL Draft, and other players such as Chris Watt, Braxston Cave and Nick Martin have also earned NFL opportunities. The Irish should boast a dominant of- fensive line this upcoming season with senior Mike McGlinchey moving from right to left tackle and junior left guard Quenton Nelson returning. While Notre Dame should be able to win a fair amount of games because of its offensive line, it would be difficult to match the production of the 2015 group. Top-10 draft pick Stanley and Nelson formed a tough duo on the left side, while second-round pick Nick Martin held down the center position. On the right side, junior Steve Elmer started for the third consecutive year — he was a full-time starter in 2014 and 2015 after replacing Christian Lombard in 2013 — and McGlinchey displayed his first-round potential at right tackle. While the left side of the Irish line could very well be improved despite the loss of Stanley because Nelson will be in his second year as a starter, it's too early to say the right side plus new starting center Sam Mustipher will be an upgrade from 2015. That potential is certainly there with likely right tackle Alex Bars, but it just hasn't been proven yet. Either way, 2016 should be another example of the fine job Hiestand has done identifying and develop- ing talent. 2016 By Bryan Driskell Despite losing its starting quarterback, running back and tight end before the end of the second game of the season, Notre Dame still put together one of its best offensive seasons of the last 20 years. The reason was the outstanding play of its offensive line. Notre Dame is poised to get better production from the line, even though it must replace left tackle Ronnie Stan- ley and center Nick Martin, who were both picked in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft. The Irish also lost 30-game starter Steve Elmer at right guard. For the first time since he was hired prior to the 2012 season, line coach Harry Hies- tand will have a starting five comprised entirely of players he recruited and developed. Hiestand has recruited large, athletic and physical players, and the five starters up front fit Notre Dame's physical run schemes. What the 2016 unit lacks in experience com- pared to the 2015 line, it makes up for with talent and toughness. Senior left tackle Mike McGlinchey is poised for a breakout season, one that could align him with the nation's top tackles. He will partner up with junior left guard Quenton Nelson, who might be the unit's most talented player. Junior center Sam Mustipher had an outstanding spring and head coach Brian Kelly once called junior right tackle Alex Bars the most talented of- fensive lineman he had coached in 25 years. The only question mark is right guard, where the starter has yet to be determined. Alleviating those concerns is the fact that the 2015 starter — Steve Elmer — was Notre Dame's least effective starting lineman. Point ✦ Counterpoint: WHICH OFFENSIVE LINE WILL PROVE TO BE BETTER: 2015 OR 2016? HARRY HIESTAND