Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2012 Notre Dame Football Preview
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/998819
1. Quenton Nelson, OL — The nation's top offensive lineman in 2017, Nelson earned unanimous All-America honors (only the 34th player in school history to achieve the feat) and graded out as the top overall blocker in the land according to Pro Football Focus. His dominance started early, with junior running back Josh Adams ripping off a 37-yard touchdown run right behind Nelson on the second play of the season. The Holmdel, N.J., native was credited with three of the 10 best single-game grades for an interior lineman during the regular season by Pro Football Focus. No other interior player had more than one game in the top 10. Following a stellar effort over LSU, he was the sixth overall pick and first offensive lineman chosen in the 2018 NFL Draft. 2. Mike McGlinchey, OL — The generational dominance from Nelson overshadowed a brilliant year from McGlinchey, who earned consensus All-America honors. McGlinchey graded out as the nation's second-best offensive tackle according to Pro Football Focus. The Philadelphia native was the lone offensive tackle in the coun - try to earn two top-10 individual game performances from Pro Foot- ball Focus, and it also graded him out as the top run-blocking tackle. McGlinchey thrived on and off the field at Notre Dame, earning a rare two-time captaincy before getting selected ninth overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. 3. Te'von Coney/Drue Tranquill, LB/Rover — The duo was part of a productive and veteran four-man rotation at linebacker and rover. Senior Nyles Morgan was the leader of the group, but Coney and Tranquill were the playmakers. Despite not starting until the sixth game, Coney led the defense with 116 tackles and 13 stops for loss. Tranquill was Notre Dame's top perimeter defender, finishing third on the defense with 85 tackles and second with 10.5 tackles for loss. 4. JULIAN LOVE, CB — A record-breaking performance in 2017 saw him finish second in the country with 23 passes defensed and 20 passes broken up. Both obliterated the previous Notre Dame top marks of 17 passes defended by Dave Waymer in 1978 and 17 by Luther Bradley in 1973, plus the 13 passes broken up by Clarence Ellis in 1969. Love's 23 career passes broken up in just two seasons rank him fifth all time at Notre Dame, just nine behind career leader Ellis (1969-71). The sophomore cornerback also picked off three passes, with two resulting in touchdowns (tying the school record in a season) in game-changing moments. His 153 in - terception return yards were the second-best mark in school history. Sports Illustrated named Love a second-team All-American following the season. 5. Jerry Tillery, DT — The junior nose tackle quietly put together an outstanding 2017 cam - paign. After entering the season with just five career tackles for loss, one sack and five quarterback hurries despite being a regular in the rotation for two full seasons, he blew past all those marks by finishing third on the team with nine tackles for loss while also post - ing a team-high 4.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hurries. TOP FIVE GAME PERFORMANCES TOP FIVE PLAYERS PHOTO BY ANGELA DRISKELL 1. Quenton Nelson Dominates LSU Front Seven — In his finale, Nelson was truly a force in the Citrus Bowl, fueling a ground attack that racked up 185 rushing yards on 29 called runs against a defense that allowed just 128.4 yards per game on the ground. Nelson had several crushing blocks that went viral on social media while leading up to the 2018 NFL Draft. 2. Julian Love Locks Down Wolfpack — When No. 16 NC State came to town, it brought one of the most ef - ficient pass offenses in the country. Quarterback Ryan Finley had not been picked off in the first eight games and was completing 69.4 percent of his passes. Led by sophomore corner Love, the Irish defense rattled Finley the entire afternoon, limiting him to 17-of-37 passing. Love broke up three passes, shut down his side of the field and in the third quarter returned Finley's first interception of the season (and in 339 attempts) 69 yards for a score to put the Irish ahead 28-14 in the 35-14 victory. 3. Te'von Coney Puts The Hammer To USC — The Trojans entered their matchup at Notre Dame ranked No. 11 in the Associated Press poll and were 19th na - tionally in total offense, but they didn't leave that way. The Irish defense dominated the Trojans from the outset, and junior linebacker Coney was the ringleader. On the first play from scrimmage, Coney ripped the ball out of USC quarterback Sam Darnold's hands, setting up Notre Dame's first score. Coney finished with 11 tackles, two for loss and a sack, and USC rushed for a meager 76 yards. 4. Career Day For Brandon Wimbush Fuels Irish Win — The junior quarterback's most efficient outing came during Notre Dame's 38-18 road win over Michi - gan State — but his most dynamic performance came Nov. 4 when Notre Dame beat Wake Forest 48-37 and improved to 8-1. Wimbush set a career high with 280 passing yards, a total that would have been significantly higher had his receivers not dropped five passes. The Teaneck, N.J., native also rushed for 110 yards and two scores on 12 attempts. His 50-yard touchdown run in the second quarter broke open what had been a close game. 5. JOSH ADAMS Shreds USC In Blowout Victory — Among his many huge performances en route to 1,430 rushing yards for the season, Adams had an especially noteworthy effort against the Trojans. He helped wear USC down early, rushing for 70 yards on 14 carries in the first half, with his first touchdown putting the Irish up 21-0. In the second half, Adams and the ND offense put USC away. He had 106 yards on his first three second- half carries, highlighted by an 84-yard score to break the Trojans' spirit. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA