Notre Dame's 2016 Offensive Line: Strength Or Concern?
There is quite a dichotomy that exists when one attempts to evaluate the 2016 Notre Dame offensive line. Even junior left guard Quenton Nelson, a former five-star recruit and a man of few words, summed it up succinctly this spring: “We can be very good, we can be very bad. It’s all up to us and how hard we work.”
In many ways, the make-up of this year’s Irish line is manifested by the two sides: The left side with Nelson and tackle Mike McGlinchey is projected to be as good as any in the country, and probably the No. 1 single strongest area on the entire team. Conversely, the right side with converted junior guard Alex Bars (coming off a fractured ankle from last year) and the senior guard tandem of Hunter Bivin and Colin McGovern has two career starts (while junior center Sam Mustipher has none).
Like Nelson, fifth-year Notre Dame offensive line coach Harry Hiestand engages neither in hyperbole nor gloom.
“I don’t think either side has the world licked, to be honest with you,” Hiestand summarized late this spring. “We have to get better. … I wouldn’t say there’s a drop-off.”
On one hand, the Notre Dame offensive line is billed as a top concern. After all, not many teams can weather the loss of the No. 6 overall pick in the NFL (left tackle Ronnie Stanley), a two-year captain and second-round pick (center Nick Martin) and a 30-game starter (right guard Steve Elmer).
Blue & Gold Illustrated’s Matt Jones recently interviewed one of college football’s most recognized and respected forecasters of a season, Phil Steele, to preview the Fighting Irish. His assessment was that Notre Dame is Top-10 timber collectively and has a favorable enough schedule to vie for a national title. When asked what might be the top albatross for the squad, he replied overall experience, particularly the offensive line. One of most Steele's most valued data is returning career starts along the offensive line.
“Just 27 career starts up front,” Steele told Jones of the offensive line. “The fact that they come into the season No. 121 in terms of experience. In reality they’re probably a little more experienced than that No. 121 ranking. … I think the offensive line might be my biggest concern.”
At the same time, Pro Football Focus — which does the most comprehensive football study with hours of film study of every team’s scheme and personnel for the NFL — issued a release on the nation’s top 10 returning offensive lines. Notre Dame was No. 1.
It might surprise many that PFF also had Appalachian State No. 3 (behind No. 2 Stanford and ahead of No. 4 USC, both Irish foes) or Indiana at No. 7, but the evaluation is measured in terms of overall production and efficiency with a scheme tailored to the personnel. Appalachian State graded out as the best run-blocking unit for its scheme and returns top personnel. Same with Washington State at No. 6, which places a premium on pass blocking under coach Mike Leach. IU also has produced top offenses under head coach Kevin Wilson and maximizes its skills there.
This spring, PFF analyst Taylor Wright watched the Irish practice and workouts and wrote that he “was amazed by offensive line coach Harry Hiestand’s efforts to use the ‘KISS’ (Keep It Simple Stupid) formula. Keeping it short and simple is what the Irish o-line looks to do, and they do it well.”
Added Wright: “Notre Dame had +61.6 run block rating and +18.1 pass block rating in 2015 and I have no doubt they will be among the top in both categories this season.”
Maybe the rating shouldn’t come as a complete surprise. In 2013 and 2014, Notre Dame’s offensive line recruiting — generally the simplest single area for the Irish to land prospects — was rated among the top three or four in the country. The dividends should be reaped now that they are seniors and juniors.
Which way will it fall? Major strength, top concern, or is reality somewhere in between? In a couple of months, answers should be forthcoming.