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LB Te'von Coney On Future: 'It's Something I Have To Think About'

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After racking up 75 total tackles in 24 games in his first two seasons in South Bend, linebacker Te’von Coney exploded in 2017.

The junior linebacker led the team during the regular season with 99 total tackles including 13 for loss and 3.0 sacks. Coney won the program’s Echo for “Impact Player” last night at Echoes 2017.

With the losses of Nyles Morgan and Greer Martini at linebacker following this season, Coney would step in as the leader of the group in 2018. But, the Floridian has a decision to make: jump to the NFL or return for his senior season.

It’s one Coney is still wrestling with as he awaits feedback from the NFL Draft Advisory Board.

“It’s something I have to think about with my family and also my coaches,” Coney said after the awards banquet last night. "Put everything into perspective.

“I requested feedback just to see where I’m at. As far as leaving and everything, that doesn’t necessarily mean it. I just wanted to see where I was at, some things maybe I can improve.”

Coney could take his talents to the professional ranks or be an anchor for the Irish in 2018 and attempt a similar jump he made from sophomore to junior. It's a Mike Elko defense which may return over two-thirds of its starters depending on a few NFL draft choices (Jerry Tillery, Coney, Nick Watkins), etc.

“It was wonderful,” Coney said of going through this past year and change. “It was a humbling experience for me. I was happy to be able to go through it. It changed me as a person, it changed me as a player. I’m just blessed to have the opportunity to have someone like Coach Clark Lea, who stays on me each and every day, pushing me and challenging me to be my best …

It didn’t take long for Coney to buy in and believe that the additions of linebackers coach Clark Lea, among other coaches, and a revamped strength and conditioning program would pay huge dividends for the Irish.

“I felt it immediately,” Coney stated. “That’s what made me trust. Coach Kelly talks about it all the time. As soon as the process started I knew I could grow in certain areas that was obvious it was my weakness. I trusted the process and each and every day I got better. I believed in it from the beginning and it paid off for me a well.

“I would say my pass coverage [improved] … I was able to make plays behind the line of scrimmage because of being more flexible where I can run players down, bend around the line of scrimmage and tackle the running back … It paid off for me a ton this year. It just shows all the hard work that I put in.”

If Coney were to depart, the Irish would likely rely on incoming freshmen — Jack Lamb, Matthew Bauer and Ovie Oghoufo — to replace three impactful players and complement those currently on the roster including Jamir Jones, Jonathan Jones, Drew White and David Adams.

Keeping Coney in the fold for 2018 would prevent Elko and Lea from starting from square one with both the ‘Mike’ and ‘Buck’ positions next season.

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