Career Stats: Top Returning Tacklers Attempt To Revive Notre Dame Defense
Notre Dame has not established itself consistently enough yet to be classified as a “program,” especially on defense. To change that line of thinking, 2016 marks an opportunity to shine for roughly six returning starters on that side of the ball, and a number of new projected starters that will be counted on heavily.
The Fighting Irish lose their Butkus Award winner (Jaylon Smith), top lineman (Sheldon Day), top pass rusher (Romeo Okwara), coach on the field (Joe Schmidt), top safety (Elijah Shumate) and a 37-game starter at corner (KeiVarae Russell).
Who will be counted on to step in to improve a unit that is in a state of flux?
Top Returning Tacklers
1. FS Max Redfield — 143 (2.5 for loss)
His career has been a roller-coaster ride, but he did finish fourth in tackles last season with 64 (39 solo), and second in 2014 with 68 (40 solo).
As a five-star recruit, though, the expectations for him are much more grandiose, especially as a pass defender. In both 2014 and 2015, Redfield finished with only two passes broken up and one interception, alarmingly low numbers for a player with his athletic skills. One would like to see his passes defended total (the combined total of passes broken up and interceptions) reach double digits.
2. DE Isaac Rochell — 110 (14 for loss)
Although better suited as an inside player, Rochell has played mainly strongside end because he is the best candidate there. A remarkably durable player (783 snaps last year trailed only cornerback Cole Luke’s 826 among returning defenders), he has been a mainstay the past two years and is a best bet for a captaincy.
3. CB Cole Luke — 104 (3.5 for loss)
Luke’s 24 career passes defended (including 15 as a sophomore) also are easily the most on the team, with Devin Butler’s eight a distant second. Redfield has six. With four interceptions this year, Luke would join the following Notre Dame players since 1979 to reach 10 career interceptions: first-round picks Todd Lyght (11), the current defensive backs coach; Tom Carter (10) and Jeff Burris (10); and 2002 consensus All-American Shane Walton (11).
4. OLB James Onwualu — 68 (eight for loss)
Started 17 games the past two seasons at Sam linebacker, where he’s been the proverbial “solid” figure, neither a game-changer nor a liability. The most career quarterback sacks belong to Rochell with 3.5, while Onwualu has three.
Last year he took about 61.5 percent of the snaps on defense at Sam with 501, while junior Greer Martini had 314 and was inserted more in short-yardage situations and versus triple-option teams.
5. ILB Nyles Morgan — 64 (3.5 for loss)
He made 47 stops as a 2014 freshman in place of the injured Schmidt in the final one-third of the season, but couldn’t get on the field this past year (41 defensive snaps compared to Schmidt’s 827). One could make an argument that no single Fighting Irish defensive player must ratchet up his overall game, including setting up the unit from his Mike spot, more than Morgan.
6t. NG Jarron Jones — 60 (8.5 for loss)
His value is not going to be measured in stats, similar to nose guard predecessors Louis Nix and Ian Williams. Rather, it’s going to be in his power and push in the middle that open avenues for his cohorts.
Of all the key injured starters last season, none was missed more all of the 2015 regular season than Jones (torn MCL in August), whose presence along the front might well have been the difference in reaching the College Football Playoff.
6t. LB Greer Martini — 60 (4.5 for loss)
If he is one of the team’s three best linebackers, Martini might find a position on the inside, especially at the Will slot vacated by the All-American Smith. January surgery will slow Martini this spring, but he could be the wild card figure at linebacker.
8. SS Drue Tranquill — 42 (four for loss)
Can he become the Steve Niehaus of the defensive backfield more than 40 years later? The 1972-75 Irish lineman Niehaus returned from back-to-back major knee surgeries early in his freshman and sophomore years to become an All-American and the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Okay, we’re not expecting that much. But after consecutive ACL surgeries his first two seasons and ridiculously quick recoveries, Tranquill’s instincts, tackling skills and natural leadership qualities could appreciably aid a position in great need.
9. CB Devin Butler — 39 (zero for loss)
Junior Nick Watkins and sophomore Nick Coleman will challenge the senior for the corner position opposite Luke.
10. DE Andrew Trumbetti — 37 (eight for loss)
With Okwara graduated from the weakside end position, the position is Trumbetti’s after taking 368 snaps in 12 contests (30.7 per game) last season. The stamina and durability to double that number this season while remaining effective will be crucial.