My Thoughts On What The Functional Defense Will Look Like

[IrishInOntario]

There is a huge difference between published depth charts for public viewing and how players actually fit into the plan on gameday. Based off everything I've heard, both through media outlets and some of my remaining contacts around the program, this what I expect the ND defense to look like this year. I'll first list the depth chart, then explain how I think players will fit into the system. If there is a third player at the position that I expect to see meaningful reps, said player will be added.

SDE: Jay Hayes
2. Andrew Trumbetti
3. Khalid Kareem

Three Tech: Jonathan Bonner
2. Jay Hayes

NG: Jerry Tillery
2. Micah Dew-Treadway

Drop: Daelin Hayes
2. Andrew Trumbetti
3. Julian Okwara

Buck: Greer Martini
2. Te'Von Coney

Mike: Nyles Morgan
2. Greer Martini
3. Jamir Jones

Rover: Drue Tranquill
2. Asmar Bilal
3. Shaun Crawford

CB: Nick Watkins
2. Shaun Crawford
3. Julian Love

CB: Donte Vaughn
2. Shaun Crawford
3. Julian Love

FS: Nick Coleman
2. Julian Love
3. Devin Studstill

SS: Julian Love
2. Jalen Elliott
3. Alohi Gilman**

First, looking at the defensive line, I think there are really 5 key players here. Jay Hayes, Daelin Hayes, Jonathan Bonner and Jerry Tillery. The first 4 names are starters. Andrew Trumbetti is the primary backup at both SDE and Drop. He is of particular important at SDE because ND's next best 3 tech to Bonner is Jay Hayes and when Bonner needs a blow, Hayes can come down inside, bringing Trumbetti into play as the primary SDE. Beyond the first 5 guys, Khalid Kareem comes into play as the primary backup to Trumbetti when Hayes is taking reps inside. Micah Dew-Treadway is my pick for the NG the NG that will spell Jerry Tillery, but I expect him to play only as much as he has to. Julian Okwara will be a third down specialist. I think we'll see a pass rush package on third and long with Daelin Hayes and Julian Okwara at either end, with Jay Hayes and one of Tillery or Bonner inside. Beyond those 8, the next the next guy that I think get in the mix if a rash of injuries happen is Elijah Taylor at 3 tech, although he needs time coming off a lisfranc injury and probably won't be anywhere close to ready to contribute until about the halfway point in the season. If Taylor can't go, Kurt Hinish burns his redshirt and possibly Myron Tagovaiola-Amosa as well.

Continued...

 

[IrishInOntario]

I think linebacker is much easier to figure out than DL. Morgan and Martini are the starters inside at Mike and Buck (both are captains) and they have an excellent backup in Te'Von Coney. Should anything happen to Morgan, Martini slides to Mike, and Coney plays at Buck. Jamir Jones is the third Mike in case of injury and Asmar Bilal would be the third Buck if one was needed. At Rover, Tranquill will start, Bilal will be his backup and Shaun Crawford is listed here because if they need a slot defender, particularly in Nickel, he slots in here instead and it's likely one of Tranquill or Bilal fits into the nickel package as the Buck, simply to have a better athlete (in coverage) on the field in presumed passing situations.

The secondary is probably the most complicated. It's becoming obvious that safety is an issue and that ND is strong at the CB position. As of today, Watkins and Love are the starting CB's, with Coleman and Elliot at FS and SS respectfully. There is no question that Elliot has struggled, however, and even Brian Kelly has alluded to the fact that they are considering, what I feel will be the eventual conclusion, that there best secondary on game day has Julian Love at SS and one of Donte Vaughn or Shaun Crawford starting at CB. My guess is that Vaughn gets the nod opposite Watkins, due in part to the fact that the staff loves gave two long, physical corners, but also because Crawford has a ton on his plate already as the nickel, as well as 3rd corner and that he's coming off a substantial injury. Therefore, I think you see a situation where Watkins and Vaughn are your corners. Crawford is there primary backup. Should another injury occur you either move Love back to corner or Troy Pride becomes a game day contributor. At safety, Coleman starts as FS and Love as SS. Should an injury occur or a breather be needed, Love moves over to FS and Elliot plays SS. Devin Studstill becomes the de facto FS and and Alohi Gilman (if eligible) is your #2 (or potential even #1) replacement at SS. Should Gilman be ruled ineligible, Isaiah Robertson likely is next in line at SS and enters onto the game day depth chart. I definitely feel that my predictions for the secondary are what I am least sure of as of right now. I'm not positive Love will make the move from CB to SS because a lot of it depends on how the safeties continue to develop during camp, as well as Alohi Gilman's eligibility in 2017.

I hope that helps in pointing out the difference between the depth chart that is published for the masses, versus how a defensive coordinator actually inserts and rotates players on game day.

 

[Telx1]

IIO... the fact that Treadway is likely our NG two deep behind Tillery is really alarming. Originally thought we had Cage and then Ewell behind Tillery, and we all know why Cage is out. Was very surprised to read assessments that Ewell may be strong enough to play right away, but that he is carrying some bad weight, and that he is very underdeveloped in technique, etc... I know you previously expected Ewell to get some weekly reps, and now you're thinking these will go to Hinish or Amosa. Clearly an Ara of concern.

I think Vaughn will be a starting corner along with Watkins, whether Love is moved to safety or not. After a week of practices, safety has clearly emerged as the area of greatest need, but there may be some good answers that are still percolating. Moving Love is one, but so is the possibility that Gilman gets approved to play and wins the job; or possibly Studstill will not be denied as he has reportedly been the most consistent, etc... Robertson is asserting himself as well. I personally thought Love was a major plus for us last year as a true freshman, liked his football instincts, and would welcome his move to starting SS.

Overall, the defense has some really nice complimentary pieces. Hope Hinish really makes a case for some weekly reps, and fully expect the coaches to figure out the best combo at safety, especially given how important these positions are in Elko's defense. Hope you update this after week three of practices. Thanks for the effort.

 

[IrishInOntario]

IIO... the fact that Treadway is likely our NG two deep behind Tillery is really alarming. Originally thought we had Cage and then Ewell behind Tillery, and we all know why Cage is out. Was very surprised to read assessments that Ewell may be strong enough to play right away, but that he is carrying some bad weight, and that he is very underdeveloped in technique, etc... I know you previously expected Ewell to get some weekly reps, and now you're thinking these will go to Hinish or Amosa. Clearly an Ara of concern.

I think Vaughn will be a starting corner along with Watkins, whether Love is moved to safety or not. After a week of practices, safety has clearly emerged as the area of greatest need, but there may be some good answers that are still percolating. Moving Love is one, but so is the possibility that Gilman gets approved to play and wins the job; or possibly Studstill will not be denied as he has reportedly been the most consistent, etc... Robertson is asserting himself as well. I personally thought Love was a major plus for us last year as a true freshman, liked his football instincts, and would welcome his move to starting SS.

Overall, the defense has some really nice complimentary pieces. Hope Hinish really makes a case for some weekly reps, and fully expect the coaches to figure out the best combo at safety, especially given how important these positions are in Elko's defense. Hope you update this after week three of practices. Thanks for the effort.

Ewell showed up in bad shape. Plain and simple. Everybody, me included, expected to see a 6'3, 305lb athlete show up to ND. Instead, a 325lb guy showed up, while the other two defensive tackles, showed up in much better shape.

Love is a starter regardless, IMO. Whether it is Watkins / Love at CB or Coleman / Love at safety, he's starting. ND has 4 CB's they love (no pun intended) and a 5th (Pride) who has enormous potential. They're going to get as many on the field as they can.

Very concerned about Dew-Treadway as well. No mincing words there. Losing both Cage and Taylor to injury was a big blow at DT. Tillery needs to play a lot of snaps.

 

[Pennick44]

Ewell showed up in bad shape. Plain and simple. Everybody, me included, expected to see a 6'3, 305lb athlete show up to ND. Instead, a 325lb guy showed up, while the other two defensive tackles, showed up in much better shape.

Love is a starter regardless, IMO. Whether it is Watkins / Love at CB or Coleman / Love at safety, he's starting. ND has 4 CB's they love (no pun intended) and a 5th (Pride) who has enormous potential. They're going to get as many on the field as they can.

Very concerned about Dew-Treadway as well. No mincing words there. Losing both Cage and Taylor to injury was a big blow at DT. Tillery needs to play a lot of snaps.

Might Taylor be ready by mid season?

 

[IrishInOntario]

Might Taylor be ready by mid season?

Ready to play? Sure.... How much strength did he lose by not lifting with his lower body for a number of months? That's the real concern, IMO. I think 10 weeks from now he can probably be pretty healthy. Healthy and effective are very different, however.