Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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26 APRIL 2018 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED DEFENSIVE LINEMEN 2018 SPRING FOOTBALL PREVIEW N ine Notre Dame defensive line‑ men played at least 177 snaps last season, and all but one — end Andrew Trumbetti — are back in 2018. Plus, former linebacker Jamir Jones has moved to drop end. There were moments last year when the Irish line shined and there were even times when it carried the de‑ fense — but the unit faltered down the stretch, which caused the rest of the defense to fade. Notre Dame's defensive linemen combined for 13 sacks during the team's 8‑1 start, just one shy of the to‑ tal for the entire defense in 2016. They also registered 36 quarterback hurries during that stretch. The line fueled a defense that was the last in the nation to allow more than 20 points in a game. During Notre Dame's 2‑2 finish, the line picked up just 3.5 sacks and five QB hurries. That drop in produc‑ tion was a key factor in the November swoon. Notre Dame will be a far more expe‑ rienced group in 2018. Only three de‑ fensive linemen in last season's rotation played more than 200 snaps the previ‑ ous fall. The 2018 unit returns seven players that racked up more than 200 snaps. Last season, Notre Dame had three sophomores and two freshmen in the rotation, but all five will now be a year older, more physical and will have an‑ other year in the strength program. The next step in developing a top line is adding more playmakers to go with Tillery. Juniors Daelin Hayes, Khalid Kareem and Julian Okwara are all can‑ didates to fill that role, and so is rising sophomore Myron Tagovailoa‑Amosa. Their progress this spring is essential. BY THE NUMBERS 4 Players returning that started 51 of a possible 52 games amongst them in 2017 — ends Jay Hayes and Daelin Hayes (no relation), and interior figures Jerry Til- lery and Jonathan Bonner. 16.5 Sacks recorded by the Fighting Irish defensive linemen in 2017, led by Til- lery's 4.5, after registering only three as a unit in 2016. Also notable is reserve ends Julian Okwara and Khalid Kareem combined for 5.5 sacks, plus had the second and third most QB hurries (seven by Okwara and six by Kareem). 506 Snaps provided by fresh- men tackles Myron Tago- vailoa-Amosa (329) and Kurt Hinish (177) as they moved ahead of several upperclass- men to become the top in- terior backups from game one. Both provided quality work to help create a better rotation. WHO'S GONE Andrew Trumbetti Served as a rotation player last fall and was part of the third‑down package. WHO'S BACK Senior Jerry Tillery The line's most disruptive player a season ago, he led the defense with 4.5 sacks and 11 QB hurries. Junior Daelin Hayes Became a solid all‑around player as a sophomore in 2017, but a breakout is expected in 2018. Fifth-Year seniors Jay Hayes and Jonathan Bonner Both started all 13 games last season at strongside end and three‑technique, respectively, although Bonner will now switch positions with Tillery. Juniors Khalid Kareem and Julian Okwara Kareem emerged as a force in the rotation last season and big things are expected from him this fall, while Okwara provided some impactful plays. Sophomores Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa and Kurt Hinish Both contributed as true freshmen in 2017. TOP NEWCOMER Sophomore Darnell Ewell The highest‑ranked defensive tackle recruit since Louis Nix in 2010, he is hoping to crack the rotation in 2018. Returning Returning Year-End Year Starts Tackles Tackles 2017 38 186 229 2018 67 303 — POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH There really aren't any that will result in a de- fensive lineman playing or not playing. Notre Dame will once again play a deep rotation, and the main question is whether or not players like sophomore Darnell Ewell or senior Micah Dew- Treadway crack the lineup. Fifth-year senior Jay Hayes and junior Kha- lid Kareem will likely battle it out to see who emerges as the starter at strongside end, but just like last season both will play based on situ- ations and be vitally important to the defensive line's success. Brian Kelly's Take "I told [Jerry Tillery] he should go to the NFL if he just wants to go be a football player. But if you want to be that holistic develop- ment that is part of who we are … you'll get that here. That was one of the reasons why he came back. I think he's made really good progress there." PHOTO BY ANGELA DRISKELL JERRY TILLERY