2015 Defensive Depth Chart

[Andover1]

The depth chart on the defensive side of the ball isn't super clear, and far from being as developed as the offensive side, however thus far into spring, there are some interesting developments. My take...

WDE
1. Romeo Okwara
2. Andrew Trumbetti
3. Jhonny Williams OR Doug Randolph

NT (1-Tech)
1. Jarron Jones
2. Daniel Cage
3. Jacob Matsuka OR Peter Mokwuah OR Jerry Tillery

DT (3-Tech)
1. Sheldon Day
2. Isaac Rochell
3. Jay Hayes OR Jonathan Bonner OR Jerry Tillery

SDE
1. Isaac Rochell
2. Jonathan Bonner
3. Jayes Hayes OR Grant Blackenship

Writting this down makes you realize how thin an vulnerable this unit really was last year...simply insane. Even with everyone returning, coming back from injury, and adding recruits....we still have major depth and experience problems at almost every DL position. The starting lineup is talented and experienced, but the depth is much yonger and inexperienced. It would be very helpful here to get Ishaq Williams back, if for no other reason to free up Rochell to help at several positions and improve our depth. Additionally, it's clear that the strength of this unit will be against the run and creating push/chaos on the interior. There isn't a clear edge rusher...another thing we'll need to look for our younger players to develop and provide.
Overall, this unit is improved and has the potential to be pretty good, but it has some major ?'s and needs development.

WLB
1. Jaylon Smith
2. Tevon Conley
3. Josh Barajas

MLB
1. Joe Schmidt
2. Jarrett Grace
3. Niles Morgan

SLB
1. James Onwaulu
2. Greer Martini
3. Kollin Hill

NB
1. Mathias Farley
2. Drue Tranquill
3. John Turner

This is another unit that's really eye opening when you write it down. It's VERY DEEP at MLB, but not nearly as deep at any other position. I'm still shocked that Morgan is being left at MLB at the moment, and when it seems clear to me that getting Morgan and Martini to the WLB and SLB positions would be a much more effective way to get these talent players on the field and fortify the depth at these positions...perhaps we'll still see it. That said, if all of these players are health, ND has an EXTREMELY talent, experienced, and versatile LB core. At WLB, Jaylon is a near lock for 1st Team All-American. At MLB, Schmidt was Team MVP in 2014, and he might have a hard time holding off Grace for 2015, both of whome know the defense flat. At SLB, Onwaulu and Martini could be listed as "Co-Starters", depending on the formation of the defense (Onwaulu against spread teams, Martini against power teams). I listed NB with the LB's, as it's really subbed for the SLB position. Our LB core migh not be deep (at WLB/SLB) but it's athletic, and especially strong in pursuit. We'll need all of these players to take a step physically, in order for them to be a top level unit.

CB
1. KeiVarea Russell
2. Nick Watkins
3. Shawn Crawford

CB
1. Cole Luke
2. Devin Butler
3. Ashton White

FS
1. Max Redfield
2. Nicki Barratti
3. Myktelli Williams

SS
1. Elijah Shumate
2. Drue Tranquill
3. Sebastian Avery

Similiar to every other unit on defense...this unit is again very thin. The starters are EXTREMELY talented, physically speaking. They are the highest rated and most talented of any starting unit on defense (right there with OL, on the entire team). They're clearly athletic enough to play in any coverage, and have the size and physicality needed to be great against the run. They area they need to improve on the most is the mental side of the game, making the correct reads and communications at the right times. With the return of a veteran in Russell, Luke/Redfield/Shumate all moving into their 2nd full years as starters, and moving into the 2nd year in the new defensive system...there is a lot to like here. However, there will need to be a lot of development in communication, organization, cohesion... as well as physical/technical development from the depth players.


Overall
This defense is very talented in it's starting 11...all of which could be considered returning starters. Additionally, players like Grace, Morgan, Trumbetti, and Ishaq (if he returns) could be classified returning starters...even if they're not actually starting this year. However, many (or most) of the positions on defense have a lot of youth and inexperience in the depth. This could develop into very productive talent...but it's a questionmark. The obvious strengths of the defense should be stopping the run, pursuit, blitzing, and in coverage. The weaknesses appear to be in generating a consistent pass rush from the edges, organization (especially against "no-huddle, spread teams"), and depth (in some areas).


Development as a unit (and health) during the spring, summer, and fall camps is going to be KEY to the defense taking the next step, being able to help this team win games against strong opponents

 

[SALittleGiant513]

I believe if Morgan is not Starting MLB he will push Onwaulu. I see him getting on the field before Martini and if anything I believe Coney will be at MLB behind Grace/Schmidt and Morgan as a potential swing. Blakenship is going to be above Bonner, he has some experience and I think he is more ready even with Bonner's increase in strength and weight. Also, I am pretty sure Rochell will stay at end this year unless there are injuries inside. Hayes will be Day's replacement and get quality snaps inside this year.

Other then those views I do agree that the Defense is much more in flux then the Offense.

 

[Shakin' Down the Thunder]

I was really hoping Ishaq Williams would return, but as each day goes by with no news, it seems less and less likely. With that said Okwara really needs to step up. He seems to have all the tools necessary, but his production leaves a lot to be desired. I think we'll be fine at DT w/ Jones, Day, Cage, and Rochell rotating and playing them against the personnel they're better matched for. They may not often sack the QB or consistently make tackles for loss, but they shouldn't get pushed around. Anxious to see what the younger guys can do, but hope their playing time is earned and not given by default of injury like last year.

Assuming Grace makes a full physical and mental recovery and can execute the playbook I see him starting at MLB. He's simply bigger, stronger, and faster than Schmidt. As for Morgan I really hope they move him to the SAM. He's too talented and athletic to be left on the sideline and he is the future, so assuming he can outplay Onwaulu, then I say get him in the game. Jaylon Smith is Jaylon Smith. Enough said.

I'm very encouraged with the corners of Russell, Luke, Watkins, Butler, and I expect Crawford to sneak up on people and be the 5th corner and get some playing time. Having Farley as the nickel is nice too, as he provides experience and reliability. The only receiving corps that scares me going against this group is USC. Other than that I really don't see why these corners can't have a successful year.

I'm not as optimistic at safety. I like Redfield and Shumate and this being their second year in the system, I expect them to play fast and make plays. What's most frustrating is that Redfield is truly the only free safety on the entire roster. There's been talk about Butler or Watkins moving to safety and I do think they should at least cross train there. Just about all the plays that Shumate and Redfield gave up last year were due to mental errors and not lack of speed or athleticism. I really don't know what to expect out of Tranquil, Avery, and Baratti. All of them have a history of injuries and 2 didn't play for ND last year. And I personally think Tranquil is more of a LB, but because of need, he's gotta stay at safety. I can't see M. Williams being ready to play at all this year, so we need to hope and pray that Shumate and Redfield do not get hurt!

To sum it up, the starting 11 is a very talented defense. I wouldn't say elite, because we don't a dominant D-Lineman or pass rusher. If we can get a consistent pass rush out of Okwara or someone else, that will help tremendously. The good thing is we have depth in the front 7 now, so that we can rotate fresh bodies to keep pressure coming fast and hard and making the jobs easier for the boys covering the receivers. The best thing that Kelly can do for this defense is do what he did in the bowl game: TIME OF POSSESSION. We saw what happened last year when the D couldn't get any rest and that resulted in injuries, too many freshman on the field, and poor play. If you ask this defense to play 20-25 minutes a game, I think that will do wonders for this defense and they can be pretty darn good.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents. GO IRISH!!!
This post was edited on 3/24 10:41 PM by Shakin' Down the Thunder

 

[Bodizephax]

I think in todays day an age we will need our offense to put up big scoring numbers.

Our defense is more talented than 95 % of the defenses out there. The D has to create more turnovers to help with the points.

Score ! Score ! Score !

 

[Andover1]

I agree with a lot of the issues and moves being recommended ITT, the depth chart I put out there is just based on what is being said in practice reports and by the coaches themselves.

The depth chart that I'm hoping for ideally, would be more like:

QB -- Golson/Zaire , Kizer
RB -- Folston , Bryant , Prosise
WR -- Brown/Robinson , Brent
WR -- Fuller , Hunter , Holmes
WR -- Carlisle , Prosise , Hunter
TE -- Smythe/Luatua , Weishar
LT -- Stanley , Bars
LG -- Nelson , Montelus
C -- Martin , Mustipher
RG -- Elmer , Montelus
RT -- McGlinchey , Bars

WDE -- Okwara , Trumbetti , Williams/Randolph
NT -- Jones , Cage , Matsuka/Mokwuah
DT -- Day , Rochell , Bonner/Tillery
SDE -- Rochell/Ishaq , Blackenship/Hayes
WLB -- Jaylon , Martini , Barajas
MLB -- Grace/Schmidt , Deeb/Coney
SLB -- Morgan/Onwaulu , Hill
NB -- Farley , Tranquill
CB -- Russell , Watkins , Crawford
CB -- Luke , Butler , White
FS -- Redfield , Barratti , Butler
SS -- Shumate , Tranquill/Sebastian

Imo, that would maximize the talent and versatility of our lineup and seeing it this way would mean that the players we need to make strides are showing that improvement (otherwise Rochell wouldn't play inside some, Morgan to SLB, Grace stepping up at MLB, etc.)

 

[SALittleGiant513]

Biven will be a second string tackle. Bars, if he doesn't be out Nelson will be back up RG and back up tackle opposite of Biven. Same will be true for Nelson.

 

[NDsince35]

ARA--me thinks you mean JACOB MATUSKA instead of PETER MOKWUAN

who red-shirted last year---it is ieasy to confuse all those IRISH names, I agree.

Van GORDER / GILMORE / ELSTON & LIGHT will create a new defense the likes

of which we haven't seen in years---ayyack and destroy ---- not to worry. NAARRING

injuries this will be a fun year.

 

[Andover1]

A few things:

1.) Bivin will definitely be listed in the 2-deep (likely 2nd string Left-Tackle), however, the reality is that Bars will VERY LIKELY be the "Next-Man-In" at both OT spots. He's likely to end up the #6 OL, but they're giving him the chance to prove he's the #5 OL at the only OL spot open for competition (Left-Guard). Bars is a natural OT though, and won't stay on the interior if there is any chance to move him back to OT.

Early Reports from Spring Practice

1.) Communication is improving greatly at the safety position. Kelly says that Redfield/Shumate are on a different level from spring of 2014

2.) Grace is "Way ahead of everyone else" in terms of knoweldge of the defense. He spent all of 2014 studying, studying, studying the defense, since he couldn't play. Hopefully he's able to challenge Schmidt's understanding of the defense and leadership on the field, giving us another "Field General" option at MLB, adding size, strength, and depth to the position

3.) Jerry Tillery is "By far and a way" the story of the DL for spring practice. He's getting some run with the 1's...if he could live up to that, he could really help us on the interior DL (which could also help on the edges, freeing up guys like Rochell)

Obviously, these are just practice reports...but these are some VERY encouraging reports thus far

 

[BGI User 348]

TILLERY!!!!!!!


Go Irish!!!