2016 Notre Dame Projection: Weakside Ends

Andrew Trumbetti and Jay Hayes were primary components of the 2014 defensive line haul that Notre Dame was hoping would turn its fortunes around along the line. Through two seasons, the group has largely disappointed, and three players from that class have since transferred.

Heading into their third season on campus, much more is expected from the 2014 line group. This is especially true for juniors Jay Hayes and Andrew Trumbetti, two veterans in competition at the weakside end position. Both are talented players, but neither has done much from a production standpoint the last two seasons.

They will be in a rotation with freshman Daelin Hayes, and how well that trio plays this season could have a major impact on the overall success of the 2016 defense.

Hayes was initially recruited to Notre Dame as a 5-technique end in former coordinator Bob Diaco’s 3-4 defense. When Brian VanGorder was hired, Hayes was projected to defensive tackle, which he played as a freshman. He also played some at strong side end. The lack of depth at weakside end this season has forced him to move there, and right now he is projected to start at the position.

At this point, Hayes is a power player at the spot, one that should be able to handle himself well against the run. Hayes is a quick player for his size, and his ability to fire off the ball and beat blockers to spots allows him to be disruptive against the run game.

Based on how the spring and early portions of fall camp have played out, Hayes will be the starter at the position in what is essentially a four defensive tackle alignment that is geared towards shutting down the opposition run game. It will be expected that Hayes handle the edge on the weakside and be a productive player against the run.

How well he can get after the quarterback when teams drop back to throw the ball will determine if he is just a rotational player, or if he can develop into an effective every down end.

Trumbetti showed a great deal of promise as a freshman, finishing with 21 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and six QB hurries. In 2015, Trumbetti played fewer reps, but still tied for third on the team with six quarterback hurries.

The lack of consistent playing time has kept him from really finding his way, and Trumbetti has yet to gain the confidence of the staff to be a starter and full-time player. His inconsistency against the run game is arguably his biggest culprit. His overall lack of consistent reps has kept him from making an impact as a pass rusher.

Trumbetti has certainly shown flashes, and the two best games of his career arguably were Notre Dame’s 31-28 Music City Bowl victory over LSU, and this past season’s Fiesta Bowl loss to Ohio State.

If given more consistent playing time, Trumbetti could be a disruptive player. What Notre Dame needs from him now is more consistency from an effort standpoint. At times it seems Trumbetti is a bit hesitant to pin his ears back and attack opponents. When he does, he is very good. When he doesn’t, he is relatively easy to block

Finishing off plays is something that will be vitally important for him in 2016.

Trumbetti has had multiple opportunities like this clip above, but far too often he has not been able to finish off the play. Here, he misses a sack that would have made it third-and-long. Notre Dame needs him to start finishing off these types of plays, and the more he can do that the more playing time he will earn.

The crown jewel of the 2016 recruiting class – at least on defense – was former Rivals five-star defender Daelin Hayes. Despite suffering a pair of season-ending shoulder injuries – one as a sophomore and another as a senior – Hayes was considered one of the nation’s top players.

His senior season shoulder injury kept him out of spring practice, but Hayes is now healthy and showing off the tools that made him a five-star recruit. His speed and explosiveness off the line is unmatched on the Notre Dame roster. Hayes is also an instinctive football player that does more than just get by on athletic talent.

Notre Dame is expecting him to provide an immediate boost to its pass rush by using his combination of speed and power to get after the quarterback. Hayes is not just a speed rusher, which the clip below shows.

Hayes is competing for more than just pass rushing reps. During the most recent practice open to the media, Hayes was also handling himself on the edge in the run game. If he can continue that into the season – and stay healthy – his reps should increase.

Getting production against the run game from Hayes would be a nice bonus for the Notre Dame staff, but what it needs most from him is the ability to provide a consistent pass rush.

One in which all three players at the position play at or near their peak level. All three players are talented, and all three have different skill sets. An ideal situation for Notre Dame is that each finds a role, each gains the trust of the Irish coaching staff and each becomes a productive player.

If Notre Dame is forced to mix and match based on one player having a strong skill but lacking in another it will be costly. Teams will take advantage of Jay Hayes and his inability to rush the passer if that turns out to be the case. They will run right at Trumbetti and Daelin Hayes if they cannot set the edge against the run.

Notre Dame needs each player to play to his strengths, but also handle himself well enough in the other parts of his game to give the Irish a potential playmaker regardless of who is in the game, and regardless of what play call the opposition makes.

If this group can play to its potential, it has the skills to completely change the face of the Irish defensive line. That would provide the Irish defense with the boost it needs to start playing championship football under VanGorder.

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