Dissecting the Depth Chart - Defensive End

This is the year that it’s all supposed to pay off. The 2016 class had maybe the best defensive end haul for Notre Dame since, well, I can’t even remember when. Three of the four they signed were 4-star recruits and they’ve moved a former linebacker to end from that same class. All of them are in their third year and look ready to blossom for the Irish.

Last year we saw flashes of brilliance from three. This spring the fourth looked like he will emerge and the fifth showed signs that he could play a factor as well.

The time is now for more production, though. Two ends that played a lot of snaps last season are now gone. This group that remains combined for 8.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, 3 pass deflections, a forced fumble, and an interception. If they aren’t doubling the sacks and TFLs in 2018, then it would be considered a disappointment.

It’s a very talented group, but we’ll see just how good they can be.

Drop Battle

Daelin Hayes had the type of spring in 2017 that had people projecting him for double digit sack totals. I always believed that was far-fetched and he never really blew up as a great pass rusher. He still has the traits to be one and while all the focus has been on him getting after the passer, he has steadily grown into a great run defender.

Before he was more athlete than football player. The ball player has been catching up and it could mean great things for him if that happens.

Hayes should not feel secure for the starting Drop position, though. Julian Okwara might have trouble adding weight, but he’s grown by leaps and bounds in other parts of his game. He has an edge over Hayes as a pass rusher based off what we just saw from the spring. If he becomes close to even as a run defender, then we might see a 50/50 split between the two.

That wouldn’t leave many reps for Jamir Jones, who moved from linebacker to Drop this spring. He was put in a difficult situation because there were two players in front of him that were already established. I wouldn’t say he got much of a fair shot to show everything he can do in March and April.

This fall camp is going to be huge for him. He needs to take advantage of limited reps to force his way onto the field.

Unfortunately the move of Jones leaves even less reps for Kofi Wardlow. He is entering his second year and is still raw. It’s tough to improve without a chance to go against even the second team offense. For someone who is probably going to be counted on to play a big role in a couple of years, it’s critical that this is a year that helps Wardlow get better regardless of him playing on Saturdays.

Kareem to the Front

Jay Hayes decided to bolt the program in the middle of the spring. His play versus the run will be missed, but Hayes leaving allowed for Khalid Kareem to jump to the front of the line at the strongside end position. He provided a more consistent pass rush threat in less snaps than Hayes last season and it might be a toss up between him and Okwara as to who looked better getting after the quarterback this spring.

I’d love to see more consistency with Kareem against the run, but I think that will come. If there were odds on who the most disruptive defensive lineman will be for the Irish in 2018, Kareem would likely be a favorite.

Losing Hayes also bumped Ade Ogundeji up the depth chart. He was forcing the issue already with his play. All of that physical potential has started translating to his play. He has learned to use his length really well and it’s going to be exciting to watch what he can do now that he’ll get an opportunity in games.

Jones cross-trained at both end spots in the spring so don’t forget about him as an option here too. Where that leaves true freshman Justin Ademilola, I’m not quite sure.

I have a feeling that he will work at both end spots in fall camp as well. Things are stacked against him in terms of the talent and experience already there, but I wouldn’t sleep on Ademilola finding a way into the rotation. Much like his brother Jayson, Justin has advanced hands and if shows that during August when he gets reps in team, Mike Elston may not have a choice but to throw him into the mix.

Who’s on 3rd (down)?

Last year in Notre Dame’s 3rd down/Dime package, they played with three defensive ends on the field: Hayes, Okwara, and Andrew Trumbetti lined up inside at 3-technique.

With Jerry Tillery now at 3-tech, does that mean they’ll only play two ends in Dime?

This will be interesting to watch in camp and I hope they try different combinations and move pieces around to see what works best. For the first time in a really long time, the Irish might have more than enough candidates that are capable of making an impact rushing the passer. It’s a good problem to have and it may be something Elston tinkers with not just in camp, but throughout the season.