Photo by Rick Kimball/ISD
Notre Dame Football
Nelson Believes OL Has Desire To Be Great
August 8, 2017
4,526
Offensive linemen live for contact, and it was no shock Notre Dame captain Quenton Nelson was excited for the first day of full pads on Saturday. The senior guard admitted he might get a little too excited, but after the initial excitement, he settles down and gets into his groove.
“It’s nice to be in full pads,” Nelson said after practice. “We’re able to do everything we are able to do on game day. We had a nice scrimmage on Saturday. We’re going full speed and full tempo. There is a little bit of rust being in pads for the first day, and we need to clean up some stuff on the offensive line.
“You’re not focused on using your technique the first day of pads. I am just amped up and excited to have the pads on. It goes away after the first day when I watch the film and see I wasn’t too good. The next day I come out and do a lot better is usually how it goes for me.”
Notre Dame’s offense looked unstoppable at times during an early 11-on-11 period on Saturday, but then the defense rebounded to get the best of the offense later in the day.
Nelson wasn’t thrilled about the defensive success, but he has seen a noticeable improvement from several defensive linemen since the spring.
“They are more flexible, so they are bending and getting lower,” explained Nelson. “The defensive line is doing a good job. Their hands are getting better. We are seeing a couple of new moves being used this summer too.
“Andrew Trumbetti is probably the most improved on the defensive line. He has put on a lot of weight to get to 260, and he’s moving very well. (Jon) Bonner is playing well at 3-Tech, and he’s giving me good work every day. Jay Hayes is doing a great job along with Daelin Hayes. It’s hard to single anyone out because they’ve all improved a lot.”
The New Jersey native also highlight right guard Alex Bars as the most improved on the offensive line.
“Bars is doing a lot better than the spring,” stated Nelson. “He’s been killing it the last five days, and that’s awesome for us. We really needed him to step up, and he sure is right now. He’s been playing with a better pad level and has been moving people off the ball. It’s awesome to see on film.
“Tommy (Kraemer) is doing well. All of us have improved, but if I had to say, one player, it would be Bars.”
Two other younger guys have been impressive during camp, but Nelson is also making sure they keep improving every day.
“(Robert) Hainsey and Liam (Eichenberg) have been doing a good job,” Nelson stated. “They are both pushing for that right tackle spot. They both want to play. They are focused on getting better every day and seeing the result of trying to improve.”
Nelson has also seen a change in attitude along the line through the first week of Fall Camp. Notre Dame has experience coming back in 2017 but also a desire to be great.
“It was tough last year,” said Nelson. “It was Mike (McGlinchey) and I having some playing experience, and Alex had a little bit. Now, we really have five guys that want to be good and want to be the best. I don’t think we really had that last year.
“When you have five guys working for that same goal, it’s awesome to see.”
“It’s nice to be in full pads,” Nelson said after practice. “We’re able to do everything we are able to do on game day. We had a nice scrimmage on Saturday. We’re going full speed and full tempo. There is a little bit of rust being in pads for the first day, and we need to clean up some stuff on the offensive line.
“You’re not focused on using your technique the first day of pads. I am just amped up and excited to have the pads on. It goes away after the first day when I watch the film and see I wasn’t too good. The next day I come out and do a lot better is usually how it goes for me.”
Notre Dame’s offense looked unstoppable at times during an early 11-on-11 period on Saturday, but then the defense rebounded to get the best of the offense later in the day.
Nelson wasn’t thrilled about the defensive success, but he has seen a noticeable improvement from several defensive linemen since the spring.
“They are more flexible, so they are bending and getting lower,” explained Nelson. “The defensive line is doing a good job. Their hands are getting better. We are seeing a couple of new moves being used this summer too.
“Andrew Trumbetti is probably the most improved on the defensive line. He has put on a lot of weight to get to 260, and he’s moving very well. (Jon) Bonner is playing well at 3-Tech, and he’s giving me good work every day. Jay Hayes is doing a great job along with Daelin Hayes. It’s hard to single anyone out because they’ve all improved a lot.”
The New Jersey native also highlight right guard Alex Bars as the most improved on the offensive line.
“Bars is doing a lot better than the spring,” stated Nelson. “He’s been killing it the last five days, and that’s awesome for us. We really needed him to step up, and he sure is right now. He’s been playing with a better pad level and has been moving people off the ball. It’s awesome to see on film.
“Tommy (Kraemer) is doing well. All of us have improved, but if I had to say, one player, it would be Bars.”
Two other younger guys have been impressive during camp, but Nelson is also making sure they keep improving every day.
“(Robert) Hainsey and Liam (Eichenberg) have been doing a good job,” Nelson stated. “They are both pushing for that right tackle spot. They both want to play. They are focused on getting better every day and seeing the result of trying to improve.”
Nelson has also seen a change in attitude along the line through the first week of Fall Camp. Notre Dame has experience coming back in 2017 but also a desire to be great.
“It was tough last year,” said Nelson. “It was Mike (McGlinchey) and I having some playing experience, and Alex had a little bit. Now, we really have five guys that want to be good and want to be the best. I don’t think we really had that last year.
“When you have five guys working for that same goal, it’s awesome to see.”
Never miss the latest news from Irish Sports Daily!
Join our free email list