Elston Molding Defensive Line

Heading into the 2017 season, Notre Dame likely has more questions than answers when it comes to the defensive line. The Irish have some young talent and some veterans who will step into the spotlight this season.

Junior Jerry Tillery is one player the coaching staff is counting on to take the next step in his development. The 6-foot-7, 308-pounder has flashed the talent of being a high-level player, but he simply hasn’t dedicated time to football over his first two seasons in South Bend, and that might be changing this spring.

“He can play to his potential and develop into a great dominating defensive tackle,” defensive line coach Mike Elston stated. “I think he is committed to it. He is spending a lot of time on his craft. I might be eating lunch, he comes in and grabs a seat, and watches what I am watching. He is asking questions. That’s what it will take for him.”

Another player that has flashed ability over his first three seasons is Andrew Trumbetti. The senior defensive end has had productive and game-changing plays but then isn’t heard from for stretches of the season.

“It’s consistency with him,” Elston said. “Consistency is one of his bigger deals that we are always harping on him. He has great initial quickness and power. He doesn’t have great length, so he has to play with great power, leverage, and pad level.

“Ade (Ogundeji) for example, he is so long and rangy. Julian (Okwara) is long, so the edge pass rush Julian can give us is different than how Andrew is going to have to work. His plan has to be different than Julian’s.”

Two other upperclassmen will be counted on for big minutes this fall in Jay Hayes and Jon Bonner. Both players can play strongside defensive end or the three-technique and it right now Hayes is at end, while Bonner is inside.

“We feel comfortable with where they are working right now,” explained Elston. “Anything can happen based on injury and depth issues. You have flexible players there. Jay Hayes is big, physical, and plays physical. Jay can give us a lot of snaps if he can continue to grow in the areas he needs to, which he is. He is committed to that right now.”  

The interior of the line has some question marks, especially with injuries, but there isn’t much Notre Dame can do about that. They will get help in June when Myron Tagovalioa-Amosa, Darnell Ewell, and Kurt Hinish arrive and they are very-much in the running for Clemson grad transfer Scott Pagano.

A healthy Daniel Cage will help the Irish interior, but his injury history is a concern for all. As of now, Cage is healthy and participating in spring ball.
 
“If he had any head issues at all, he wouldn’t be out there,” stated Elston. “We’re interested in taking care of these kids and making sure they can live a fruitful life. I would say it’s full steam ahead.”

Defensive lineman Elijah Taylor came on towards the end of 2016 and was in line to have a big spring. Two practices into spring ball, the 6-foot-3, 280-pounder fell victim to a LisFranc fracture and will miss the remainder of spring.

“He’s a guy that needs reps and time,” said Elston. “He’s a developmental player. He was coming on, and I liked where he was at.”

The guy that could help solve problems on the interior of the defensive line is junior Micah Dew-Treadway. At 6-foot-4, 299, Dew-Treadway has deceptive athleticism and plays with a high motor.

Dew-Treadway was fighting for time in 2016, but he broke his foot during fall camp and missed the entire 2016 season.

“He’s like a big thing of putty we are trying to mold into a player,” Elston said. “He’s got to learn better. We are challenging him every day to pick it up faster. We are demanding a lot from him. He may not be ready for that right now, but we’re going to keep throwing it at him.

“I like his attitude and how he is working. It’s exciting for him because he has a lot of ability.”