Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com SEPT. 11, 2017 21 chell] and see what made him great, I try to implement that into my game." Transitioning from a defense where he was asked to play more of an in- side power game to one under new coordinator Mike Elko that lets him play more on the edge has given Ka- reem increased confidence. It has allowed him to become a more effective pass rusher, and dur- ing fall camp he looks more like the player that racked up 37 sacks in his final two seasons at Farmington Hills (Mich.) Harrison High School. "Playing on the outside instead of playing on the inside shade of the tackle is good for me," Kareem said. "It definitely allows me to get to the quarterback easier. It was a great change. It's simpler and easier to grasp. As soon as we got it, it clicked with me." Kareem wasn't the lone Michigan native from the sophomore class to begin making a name for him- self during fall camp. Classmate Adetokunbo Ogundeji, a native of West Bloomfield, Mich., was the only three-star signee at the end position, but adding 40 pounds over the last year has helped him emerge as con- tender for playing time this fall. "If you ask Coach [Matt] Balis who his favorite guy is on the defensive line, he would probably say Ade in terms of his work ethic," Kelly said. "The way he's transformed himself physically, everything that he does in the weight room. "He's just coming on, and we feel very fortunate that we're in good po- sition with young players there that are emerging." Kareem and Ogundeji are power- oriented players, but fellow sopho- more Julian Okwara teams with Hayes to give Notre Dame the kind of speed off the edge it has not had in a long time. "Julian Okwara is extremely ath- letic and a great edge pass rusher who doesn't quite have the girth right now that Daelin has," defensive line coach Mike Elston noted. "Ju- lian, in passing situations, is going to wreck the edge." Okwara is well aware of what makes him a potential impact threat, whether it be in Notre Dame's base defense or as a situational pass rusher. "I would say my speed and being able to get off the ball — those are definitely my biggest traits," Okwara said. "If I come off before [the of- fensive lineman] gets up, then I can definitely strike him and hold my ground, be able to set my feet." In order to become more of a full-time, three-down player, the 240-pound sophomore must be able to play a more physical game. He isn't there yet, but he has seen im- provement. "Working on the tackle and tight end, being able to stand my ground and hold my edge in the run," Ok- wara said, explaining areas where he wants to upgrade his skills. "The strength program definitely helped a lot with that." Okwara and the rest of the defen- sive players — especially the line- men — are well aware of the outside perception of their unit, but lowered expectations from those not within hasn't kept the group from heading into the season with high aspirations. "Ever since last year we've been doubted about stuff. We just want to go out there and work," Okwara said. "Our whole defensive line is working on more things we need to work on — being in the film room, being able to work with the coaches and just getting things right. "Everybody's been progressing since the spring. We've gotten to know the playbook better. Every- thing's clicking for the defense. I think we're going to surprise a lot of people this year." If Okwara turns out to be correct, Notre Dame will field a defense that can help lead Notre Dame's resur- gence. ✦ "EVERYBODY'S BEEN PROGRESSING SINCE THE SPRING. WE'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW THE PLAYBOOK BETTER. EVERYTHING'S CLICKING FOR THE DEFENSE. I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SURPRISE A LOT OF PEOPLE THIS YEAR." SOPHOMORE DEFENSIVE END JULIAN OKWARA Julian Okwara is being asked to provide much-needed speed on the edge of the Irish defense. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA