Fall Camp Preview: Defensive Ends

It's been awhile since defensive end could be considered a strength for Notre Dame on defense. They've had some solid starting duos, but it's been rare that it's been a deep group. Rare might be too kind of a word to describe it.

I can't even remember the last time they were deep when it came to edge players. They could be this season if some players emerge and take the proper steps forward after flashing in the spring. Mike Elston might not have inherited the greatest situation at defensive tackle, but his group of ends have a chance to be very good this season.

How can good can the Hayes' be?

After how both looked in the spring, I don't see either Daelin or Jay Hayes (no relation) being pushed out of their starting jobs in fall camp. Notre Dame needed Daelin to have a breakout spring and boy did he ever. He was outstanding just about every time we watched him and that was punctuated by a strong Blue-Gold game. However, it was his improved play versus the run that was the most encouraging.

He's always shown the potential to get after the passer and the hope is he can put up big sack and pressure numbers this season. If he can show in camp that he can continue to set the edge well versus the run, then it should set up for really good things in 2017.

There has been speculation that Jay may move inside to play 3 technique because of his weight (293 when he lasted threw an update out on Twitter). I don't see that happening after how he performed at strong side end. He is simply more comfortable outside and never showed that level of comfort when he has lined along the interior.

The consistency with Jay was the best part of his spring. He has shown flashes in the past, but not sustained flashes. That was happening more and more as spring progressed. If that continues, then the starting duo of Hayes and Hayes could end up being the best at Notre Dame in quite awhile.

About that depth...

It feels like a fever dream to say it, but the Notre Dame defensive end group has the chance to be...deep? Yes, you read that correctly. This could be a very deep group this season.

It depends on what we see out of some young players during fall camp, but the sophomore class is trending way up. Julian Okwara needs to show he has taken a step forward with his strength and as a run defender, but he should have a role as 3rd down pass rusher regardless. He can spell Daelin Hayes and they may even see action together on the field at the same time.

Competing with Okwara is another sophomore, Ade Ogundeji. We only got to see him towards the end of spring, but his raw talent was clear. He's a long athlete that could potentially compete at the strong side as well if things get too crowded over at Drop.

There's also Khalid Kareem. He came in last year as an early enrollee and looked overwhelmed with too much of a weight gain and not enough experience going against top quality college offensive lineman. He looked like a different player this spring and starter showing more explosiveness with his first step and much stronger technique from play to play. It would be surprising if he didn't show he could at least be in the rotation by the end of August.

Then there is Andrew Trumbetti. He had more downs than ups last season, but the same could be said about many players on a 4-8 team. He didn't make much of an impact in the spring, but he has played important snaps before and his experience does matter for a young group of ends. At the very least he should help the sophomores get better and hopefully can re-gain some confidence in fall camp.

I think it is a long shot for true freshman Kofi Wardlow to play this season given how raw he is. He is new to the game and this camp will be more about gaining valuable experience. I feel similar about Jonathon MacCollister. He is making the transition to playing end for the first time after being more of a moving piece for his high school team.

The one freshman who has a chance to play in my opinion is Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa. His long term future is probably inside, so I'll be interested to see if he starts out at strong side end. There is no need to rush him, but I love his motor and upside. I think he could end up being one of the best from Notre Dame's 2017 class. We'll see if he can make much of an immediate impact in a couple of weeks.