Isaac Rochell A Constant In Notre Dame's Defensive Line Rotation

When discussing Notre Dame’s 2016 defensive line, the conversation often centers on rotation or tag teams.

• At weak side end, juniors Andrew Trumbetti and Jay Hayes are perceived as specialists, with the 255-pound Trumbetti inserted to supply a pass rush, and the 285-pound Hayes to provide a more stout frame on the edge versus power teams. Meanwhile, freshman Daelin Hayes (no relation) will also vie for a role as potentially the team’s best speed rusher off the edge.

• At nose guard, fifth-year senior Jarron Jones and junior Daniel Cage are counted on to supply at least “25 to 35” snaps per game apiece, per head coach Brian Kelly, although deep down the preference would be to possess stamina that exceeds such a count.

• At the three-technique tackle position vacated by 2015 captain Sheldon Day, sophomore Jerry Tillery is projected to be part of the three-man interior rotation with Jones and Cage, and possibly a sophomore or senior strong side end Isaac Rochell.

Ah yes, Rochell — the man who started at nose guard versus LSU in the 2014 Music City Bowl and at three-technique in last year’s Fiesta Bowl versus Ohio State. Labeling him merely as an “end” doesn’t tell the story of his versatility and durability. He is the line’s version of Ol’ Man River who just keeps rolling along.

Rochell has not only answered the bell the past two seasons for every game, but last year his 60 snaps per game even eclipsed Day’s total of about 57. Junior Jonathan Bonner is expected to be a regular in the rotation behind Rochell, but taking Rochell off the field is an option the Notre Dame staff is not comfortable with yet. That means he could still remain a factor in the interior as well.

“You get past 50 [snaps along the defensive line], you’ve got to have a special guy,” said second-year Irish defensive line coach Keith Gilmore this spring. “You don’t want to go much above that with any guy if you can help it.”

With Rochell, Gilmore couldn’t help it, nor could current linebackers coach Mike Elston, who coached Rochell in 2014.

“The bottom line is to win the game, and I’m going to put the guys in that I think are ready to win the game,” Gilmore said. “But I would like to get more of a rotation and guys not playing as many snaps as those guys did last year.”

However, Notre Dame’s Iron Man along the defensive line believes he can handle the load more than he did as a sophomore two years ago.

“There were games … one game I think I took 90 snaps,” said Rochell while recalling the 43-40 overtime loss to Northwestern in 2014 when the Wildcats ran 96 plays. “That’s a lot, and if you do that consistently, it really adds up. I don’t know if [I was] running on fumes. It was more like it’s been a long season with a lot of snaps, and you have to focus more on recovery toward the end of the season.”

Kelly noted that Rochell is the healthiest he’s ever been this fall, especially after battling some back problems in the past, which Rochell downplays.

“I’ve never missed a game … It’s not really been an issue,” he said.

Throughout his career, the 6-3 ½, 290-pound Rochell has been described as a better fit in the interior, where he has aligned on occasion beyond the bowl games. However, because Notre Dame has a shortage of true edge players, his skills are stationed at strong side end. Entering his senior year, Rochell has played more than Day (who had missed seven games because of injury earlier in his career) but his 3.5 career sacks — the most among any returning Irish player — are a relatively modest figure at his position. His seven QB hurries were second to Day’s 13 last year, but the Notre Dame pass rush is one of the prime question marks on defense, especially without Day.

“I don’t think I’ve had trouble pass-rushing or getting off of a block — it’s just a matter of finishing,” Rochell said. “When I start to do that, then it will become complete and more productive. A lot of it is just burst. That’s something we’ve not done in the past, just been like on fire to get there …

“You just have to play with a motor. You have to know I’m going to beat this man, and as soon as I do I’m going to get there. The biggest thing is in that five yards between beating the [blocker] and the quarterback, you’ve got to get there — because you only have two-and-a-half seconds.”

Cohesion and teamwork along the front also is an underrated essential to enhancing the collective pass rush (the Irish finished 75th last year in sacks with 25 and 91st in interceptions with nine).

“I can have a great play but if someone else doesn’t have a good play, it doesn’t matter, or vice-versa,” Rochell said. “The goal is to develop confidence [as a complete unit], and that begins by competing.”

The numbers to enhance competition should be there for the defensive line. Now it’s about improving the overall production figures.