Lyght Seeing Progress in Cornerbacks

Heading into 2016, Todd Lyght was set to have an experienced secondary with Devin Butler, Nick Watkins, and Max Redfield set for significant minutes. However, that quickly changed as Watkins had complications with a broken arm healing, and then Butler and Redfield were dismissed from the football program following the conclusion of fall camp.

True freshmen Devin Studstill, Troy Pride Jr., Julian Love, Donte Vaughn, and Jalen Elliott were put into roles they weren’t necessarily ready for, but Lyght expects to see the benefits of growing pains this fall.

“They got valuable experience playing as young guys,” Lyght said on Wednesday morning. “It was a growing experience for everybody, but the time on the field was well spent. They did a good job growing.”

The youngsters might have grown on the field, but at times they weren’t ready physically for the demands of a college football season. The addition of Matt Balis has made a positive impact on the program in just a few months and Lyght’s defensive backs are seeing the benefits.

“For us, our strength and conditioning program has done a great job of developing these guys in the offseason,” explained Lyght. “You can see their bodies changing, and I think we will have a much more physical play on the back end due to our strength and development.”  

Julian Love saw action in his first collegiate game at Texas and then was put into the rotation when Crawford was injured in the second game of the season. Lyght believes it was Love’s confidence that allowed him to get on the field early, despite not knowing the nuts and bolts of the defense.

“He’s done a great job since he’s stepped foot on campus,” Lyght said of Love. “He does a good job of pushing himself. The thing for his development is being able to rely on his fundamentals and his techniques. He has to be efficient with the execution of those techniques and fundamentals.

“He has done a good job of being consistent, and his effort level is getting better each and every day. Julian has always been successful, and he has always had a lot of confidence. When you have success early, it does give you confidence. Julian can tackle in space, he can cover, and we want him to get better with his man-to-man techniques. We want him to get better in his leadership role. He’s a young player but going to play a lot for us.”  

As the nation knows, Notre Dame went 4-8 in 2016, but most were close games. The game was decided in the final moments, and the Irish couldn’t seem to come with the game changing play.

Lyght felt the young guys expected a veteran to make a play and now they realize they are the ones who have to make plays.

“It was just not making the play in the critical moment of the game,” Lyght said of the losses. “We have to have confidence defensively as a unit and individually. With a lot of young guys, it’s the mindset of ‘Oh someone else might make the play.’ It wasn’t ‘I’m going to make the play to help the team win.’

“With the confidence and development off the field with the scheme, on the field with fundamentals and techniques, then improving our individual and group play, we can play with more confidence. When those critical moments come up, we can have the confidence to make those plays to win the game.”  

Building the confidence to win in the final minutes of games is something Lyght is working on with his cornerbacks this spring. Lyght is also getting more time in the film room with the cornerbacks, and that’s not something that always happened a year ago when he coached the entire secondary.

“Both positions are so different, and when you have the entire secondary, it’s tough to watch all the film,” stated Lyght. “I found last year that with our time restraints, we didn’t get enough time to watch one-on-one tape with the corners. That’s where the lack of time hurt, especially in the season.

“Now, being able to split up, we can watch way more film. Everything is position specific, and it makes it easier when you watch more film to help the guys get better with their fundamentals, technique, and execution.”

The Irish should be able to execute with the added experience but also the easier terminology defensive coordinator Mike Elko has brought to South Bend. The players will have an easier time communicating, which will lead to fewer breakdowns and confusion.

“I’ve been in new systems throughout my life,” Lyght explained. “I’ve been in this game for over 30 years. I love it, and Coach Elko’s system is really good. It puts players in position to be successful.

“The terminology is one word, so everything is fast. Guys have to understand what’s going on and the communication has to be there pre and post snap. The young guys are doing a great job with communication. I am excited about the new defense and the player are too.”