Story Poster
Photo by Rick Kimball/ISD
Notre Dame Football

Irish Defense Coming Together

August 16, 2017
6,874

Notre Dame’s defensive line could very well dictate how the season goes in 2017. The Irish didn’t get great defensive line play in 2016 and they suffered the consequences.

Changes were made with the staff as Mike Elston moved back to coach the line and new defensive coordinator Mike Elko installed a new scheme.

Elko has had positive vibes about the progress the defense has made from January and feels they could very well sneak up on some people this fall.

“I think that group is going to surprise a lot of people,” stated Elko on Wednesday. “I keep saying it, and I’m not just making it up. That group has been a lot more competitive. We had a short yardage period yesterday, and that group held their own. They are continuing to develop and get better every day.”

Rick Kimball/ISD DE Daelin Hayes
The addition of new Director of Football Performance Matt Balis was another change and Elko believes the new strength and conditioning program has pushed the defensive line to new heights.  

“They are gaining confidence because they are stronger,” explained Elko. “It’s allowing them to play harder and faster. Each day they go out and have a little bit of success gives them the confidence they can be better.

“Matt has done an unbelievable job with those guys in the weight room. From the start of us getting here to Fall Camp, all those kids got bigger and stronger.”

Pass rush was a huge liability in 2016, but it could very well be a strength of the 2017 team for a very simple reason.  

“I think the pass rushers are a year older,” stated Elko. “It’s always hard for a freshman to be successful. Some of the kids that are now sophomores, I think will be the better pass rushers off the edges. They’ve just developed because they are little more comfortable playing college football.

“Inside, we will probably move those guys a little bit more and create edges for those guys a little bit more. It gives them a little bit more of a chance to get in a one-on-one situation to be successful.”

LINEBACKERS

With the improved defensive line play, the task for Nyles Morgan, Greer Martini, and company will get easier. However, Elko also believes the linebackers have helped the defensive line out by knowing where to be as they gain confidence in the new scheme.

“I think the defensive line will tell you the linebackers are fitting things faster than they did in the spring,” said Elko. “That means the Nelson/McGlinchey double-teams aren’t on them quite as long. It’s a combination of the linebackers playing faster, and that helps the defensive line. I think the defensive line is playing stronger and that obviously helps the linebackers.”  

SECONDARY

The safety position also failed Notre Dame too often a year ago, but it was also the least experienced group on the field in 2016. The unit is still young and inexperienced, but they are also growing up with each rep.

“That group is getting better every day,” Elko said of the safety unit. "I think that’s a group that has a lot of young kids and a lot of kids that haven’t played a ton of football. That group is working every day to get where they need to be.

“(Jalen) Elliott, (Nick) Coleman, (Devin) Studstill, and Isaiah Robertson are the guys that have taken the majority of the reps.”  

One name not listed in the group getting the most reps is transfer Alohi Gilman. Elko mentioned Notre Dame has yet to hear on his appeal to play this fall, but they have incorporated him into as much as they can without losing reps for other players.

“It’s been hard for him and trying to balance what we’ve done for him,” explained Elko. “I think he’s a kid who could be in the mix if he is able to play. We have tried to do enough with him that he’ll have a chance if we go that route.”

Many wondered why Notre Dame’s safety play suffered so much last year when it was clear the Irish had good athletes at the position. Elko had a good explanation for that and one that makes almost too much sense.

“You have to see everything, so it’s a lot like quarterback,” stated Elko. “When you sit in the middle of the back part of the defense, you have to see it all. You have to see run and pass. You’re involved in the run game and the throw game. It’s hard to minimize the safety position.

“As college football has changed to more spread, more space, and more open space tackling, it puts a ton of stress on the safety. The older days of two tight ends and a fullback, you played the game in a pile of dust. That’s not as hard to be a safety. Now, you’re sideline to sideline, and things are flying at you with the big and strong athletes. If you’re slow at reacting at all, it’s not a great situation.”  

16 days and they’ll be ready. - Defensive Coordinator Mike Elko
The cornerback position at Notre Dame isn’t deep this fall, but it could be very talented. Experience is definitely an issue, but much like the safety position, Elko is pleased with where they are headed.

“You don’t have a lot of experience,” said Elko. “You don’t have a lot of guys who have played a ton of football. You’ve got guys who have come out, competed, and want to work every day to get better. Our secondary is just an inexperienced group that is working day in and day out to get as good as we can be and get to where we need to go.”

With the inexperience on the back end of the defense, some defensive coordinators might try to mask it at times. Elko doesn’t feel the need to do that’s a positive sign for the defense.

“I don’t think we need to mask it,” stated Elko. “I don’t think that’s where we are. I am not saying it’s a deficiency or I am worried about it. It’s just an experienced group that needs to get better.  

“There are days where we look great, and there are periods we don’t. We are pushing for consistency every day.”

How long will it take for the secondary to get up to speed? Elko has a simple answer for Notre Dame fans.

“16 days,” stated Elko. “That’s all we got. 16 days and they’ll be ready.”  

TEMPO or SPACE

Under Brian VanGorder, Notre Dame struggled against tempo and often the Irish were beat before the snap. Elko isn’t overly worried about tempo when it comes to comparing to playing in space.

“Space is the squirrelliest,” Elko explained. “You can’t run a scheme that doesn’t work against to tempo nowadays in the modern game of football. That part of it certainly puts stress on your kids, but from a schematic standpoint, you have to have answers for that.

“You can’t answer space. Being able to play in space is not something schematically you can get around.”

Notre Dame practicing against tempo every day will surely help its young defense prepare for what their opponents will throw at them this fall, but it all comes down to being comfortable in Elko’s eyes.  

“It’s not a matter of the tempo,” stated Elko. “It’s a matter of playing your technique and fundamentals properly as the game gets sped up, your heart rate gets sped up, and your snap count goes up. That’s what the tempo creates a challenge in. So the more you can do that, the more your kids can do it, and the more comfortable they are with it.”  

STRENGTH

Elko knows his defense has put in the work and is working hard during fall camp. The first year defensive coordinator is proud of his guys but knows they need to continue to put trust into each other as Temple gets closer.

“Collectively as a group, we’re starting to understand how to play defense together,” said Elko. “That’s where our strength has to be. Our strength has to be all 11 guys playing this defense together the right way and understanding where their help is, and playing fundamental football. Our desire to be great has been really good.” 
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.