Looking at this defense currently, what could return, and what it could be, I was thinking about what player(s) in the transfer portal could elevate, and diversify the defense to replicate and hopefully increase the productively it saw this year.
What ND had the 1st 6 weeks, and didn't the last 6 weeks was obviously Kyle Hamilton. ND defense has been up to the challenge against mostly below average offenses without Hamilton, however his skill set can never be matched on the current roster, if not the country. This leads me to believe that if ND wants to continue to evolve and diversify to match elite offenses, they are going to need a player of similar skill set. That is why I think a guy like Craig Young from OSU, who is in the portal currently, would be worth kicking the tires with. Here is why and hear me out:
I am not saying Craig Young, who hasn't made a large impact in Columbus, is the next Kyle Hamilton. However, he does has a similar skill set that can be used how Hamilton has basically been used the last 2 seasons. Young is roughly 6-4 225, and is chiseled. In HS, he was a 10.7 100 meters kid (which is insane with a kid that size). He also was a fairly accomplished WR in HS and in fact camped at ND before committing to the Buckeyes. His size, speed, and athletic traits are all next to elite. If he is close to elite why hasn't he played that much at OSU? I can't definitively give you the right answer, but I have a couple reasons I think is the case. For one, he has had some injuries that has kept him out of playing time, and others excelled and took advantage of that. Two, I am not sure the scheme OSU runs takes advantage of the things Young does well. I have not studied OSU defense so I will not pretend to know exactly what it is, however, I was in attendance at OSU vs Michigan and watched a lot of Ronnie Hickman (safety who plays over Young). He played some deep safety in cover 3, occasionally in the box in run support, and seemed to be a player predicated on coming down and filling the alley/run gaps, while also doing a fairly good job playing deep high safety. In my opinion, if Craig Young was in this exact role, he wouldn't be as effective, or might even be a liability.
Young is so long and fast, he can match slots effectively. He can match up with elite TEs with excellent WR skills (more the game is trending) as well slot receivers with excellent speed and close-line quickness. Young is so long, in passing situations he would be a tough matchup as well as run support as an alley defender. His size and length would be a tough block for any WR/TE, as well as any pulling OL.
While I am advocating for Young's addition to ND, I understand he would be more of a situational player. Kyle Hamilton never left the field, Young wouldn't necessarily bring that presence but a similar skill set. IMO he would be an excellent long yardage player (2, 3, 4th and long) as a Nickel defender. Hamilton has played that a lot, coming down as a 2nd level defender and essentially taking out one side of the field. Hamilton has also shown to be an elite deep safety defender (see his pick against FSU). Young is not that, however he can be that Nickel player, able and willing the blow up the alley, or creating crazy small windows up the seam. Right now, Isiah Pryor seems to have filled that role as a run alley player a lot in Hamilton's absence (coincidently another OSU transfer). I just feel like Young's skill set would be terrific as ND tries to diversify and continually try to match elite skill players by playing situational football. I think Young would just be another tool Freeman could use that will help elevate this defense
What ND had the 1st 6 weeks, and didn't the last 6 weeks was obviously Kyle Hamilton. ND defense has been up to the challenge against mostly below average offenses without Hamilton, however his skill set can never be matched on the current roster, if not the country. This leads me to believe that if ND wants to continue to evolve and diversify to match elite offenses, they are going to need a player of similar skill set. That is why I think a guy like Craig Young from OSU, who is in the portal currently, would be worth kicking the tires with. Here is why and hear me out:
I am not saying Craig Young, who hasn't made a large impact in Columbus, is the next Kyle Hamilton. However, he does has a similar skill set that can be used how Hamilton has basically been used the last 2 seasons. Young is roughly 6-4 225, and is chiseled. In HS, he was a 10.7 100 meters kid (which is insane with a kid that size). He also was a fairly accomplished WR in HS and in fact camped at ND before committing to the Buckeyes. His size, speed, and athletic traits are all next to elite. If he is close to elite why hasn't he played that much at OSU? I can't definitively give you the right answer, but I have a couple reasons I think is the case. For one, he has had some injuries that has kept him out of playing time, and others excelled and took advantage of that. Two, I am not sure the scheme OSU runs takes advantage of the things Young does well. I have not studied OSU defense so I will not pretend to know exactly what it is, however, I was in attendance at OSU vs Michigan and watched a lot of Ronnie Hickman (safety who plays over Young). He played some deep safety in cover 3, occasionally in the box in run support, and seemed to be a player predicated on coming down and filling the alley/run gaps, while also doing a fairly good job playing deep high safety. In my opinion, if Craig Young was in this exact role, he wouldn't be as effective, or might even be a liability.
Young is so long and fast, he can match slots effectively. He can match up with elite TEs with excellent WR skills (more the game is trending) as well slot receivers with excellent speed and close-line quickness. Young is so long, in passing situations he would be a tough matchup as well as run support as an alley defender. His size and length would be a tough block for any WR/TE, as well as any pulling OL.
While I am advocating for Young's addition to ND, I understand he would be more of a situational player. Kyle Hamilton never left the field, Young wouldn't necessarily bring that presence but a similar skill set. IMO he would be an excellent long yardage player (2, 3, 4th and long) as a Nickel defender. Hamilton has played that a lot, coming down as a 2nd level defender and essentially taking out one side of the field. Hamilton has also shown to be an elite deep safety defender (see his pick against FSU). Young is not that, however he can be that Nickel player, able and willing the blow up the alley, or creating crazy small windows up the seam. Right now, Isiah Pryor seems to have filled that role as a run alley player a lot in Hamilton's absence (coincidently another OSU transfer). I just feel like Young's skill set would be terrific as ND tries to diversify and continually try to match elite skill players by playing situational football. I think Young would just be another tool Freeman could use that will help elevate this defense
