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Notebook: Al Golden's defensive script considers youth, challenges veterans

Senior defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey (7) and freshman cornerback Benjamin Morrison (20) celebrate at Notre Dame Stadium on Nov. 19 vs. Boston College.
Senior defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey (7) and freshman cornerback Benjamin Morrison (20) celebrate at Notre Dame Stadium on Nov. 19 vs. Boston College. (Jeff Douglas, Inside ND Sports)

When No. 21 Notre Dame takes the field against No. 19 South Carolina in the Gator Bowl, it will be both an encore and an audition for the Notre Dame defense. And coordinator Al Golden is preparing for both.

Since the Irish concluded the regular season with a 38-27 loss to then-No. 6 Southern California, they have adapted to change and shifted gears. To close out the season, Notre Dame will be without star vyper end Isaiah Foskey on Dec. 30 in Jacksonville, Fla. The program’s all-time sack leader declared for the NFL draft and opted out of the bowl game.

Foskey’s expected early departure has opened the door for several players to try out to be his replacement. Whoever ends up taking on the role will characterize the theme of Notre Dame’s bowl game defense.

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"Well, it's an opportunity, right?” Golden said. “It's an opportunity. And we'll see who wants to rise to the occasion — whether it's Justin (Ademilola) or Junior (Tuihalamaka) or (Jordan) Botelho. Certainly, Nana (Osafo-Mensah) has played a lot. So, any of those ends can step up and maybe even some of the young guys.”

Ademilola, Botelho, Tuihalamaka and Osafo-Mensah have filled Foskey’s role in parts throughout the season. Between them, the quartet has accounted for nine tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and seven quarterback hurries. But replacing Foskey, both this year and next, will be no easy task.

On his own accord, Foskey had 14 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and six quarterback hurries during his curtain-call season. He enters the next act of his playing career as PFF’s No. 27 overall NFL Draft prospect and No. 8 edge rusher in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Meanwhile, Tuihalamaka is perhaps the most intriguing potential replacement. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound freshman played in all 12 regular season games, predominantly as a linebacker. However, about a third of his defensive snaps have come on the defensive line as part of Golden’s vision.

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Junior Tuihalamaka (44) has played in every game during his freshman campaign.
Junior Tuihalamaka (44) has played in every game during his freshman campaign. (Jeff Douglas, Inside ND Sports)

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“I just think it's a great spot for him,” Golden said. “He's really smart. He's rugged. He's already around 250 pounds. So, he's in the ballpark already as a freshman. And he gives us versatility there, too, because he still has the qualities to drop and do those things. So, we're not just locked into a specific four-man rush. We can drop him if we need to into the boundary."

Over the last three weeks, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has structured the four practices to emphasize reps for the program’s younger players, such as Tuihalamaka. Among the players Golden also pointed out, with an eagerness to evaluate their abilities, were defensive linemen Tyson Ford and Jason Onye. Also, Jaylen Sneed and the rest of the young linebackers.

But the next two weeks won’t be entirely dedicated to the program’s future. Instead, Golden will turn the page toward this season’s bowl-game preparation.

"Yeah, we still want the young guys to keep getting better, but they're going to run out of time here,” he said. “By the time we break for the holiday, they would have demonstrated whether or not we can use them in this game. That goes for linebackers and anybody else in the mix. Maybe not have played, but they're not going to burn a redshirt year by playing in this game."

Bowl practices just as important for veteran players

Junior safety Xavier Watts (26) celebrates after making a play against Boston College on Nov. 19.
Junior safety Xavier Watts (26) celebrates after making a play against Boston College on Nov. 19. (Jeff Douglas, Inside ND Sports)

Though rookie development has been the focus since the regular season, Golden is helping experienced players take their games to the next level as well. One of them is junior Xavier Watts.

Watts has played in 25 games during his collegiate career. But over the last three games, the 6-foot, 193-pound safety has assumed a starting role due to personnel changes and his increased production. In two of those games, he tied for the team lead in tackles.

Now that Watts has cracked the defensive lineup and proved himself with his performances, Golden has challenged him to be more vocal and take control. Not only has Watts accepted Golden’s challenge but also embraced it — which led to recognition from the first-year Irish defensive coordinator.

"He's reached a comfort level now where he's doing that,” Golden said. “You can't be a great safety without being verbal, demonstrative and in command. You don't always make the right decision, but if you're decisive, loud, and we're all playing the same thing, so be it. We can fix that. We can't fix when nine guys are playing one thing and two are playing another.

“CO (safeties coach Chris O'Leary) has been doing a great job with him. And I was really pleased with how vocal (Watts) was running it today, which was great."

Like Watts, Golden has counted on fellow junior safety Ramon Henderson to step up in spots.

Junior safety Ramon Henderson (11) makes a stop against Clemson on Nov. 5.
Junior safety Ramon Henderson (11) makes a stop against Clemson on Nov. 5. (Jeff Douglas, Inside ND Sports)

In 12 games in Golden’s defense, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Henderson played different positions throughout the Irish secondary. Golden relied on him most at slot cornerback for the occasionally injured Tariq Bracy. However, Henderson’s experience, length and versatility could place him in various roles outside slot cornerback moving forward.

“I think he could be a hybrid guy for us,” Golden said . “A guy that can play inside or outside. Our field safety and boundary corner are very similar. And then the nickel ... we can go any way we want to go with it. Bracy was really good this year. So, we need to find guys that are ready to replace it.

“Now, Ramon brings some different things. He brings a little bit more size. So, obviously, the more guys you can develop into that position, the better you are for the long run. So, we're hoping that he can develop there for us."

Henderson started two games and played in 10, registering 17 tackles (nine solo), 1.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sack.

Freshmen cornerbacks shaking up the secondary

Freshmen Jaden Mickey (21) and Benjamin Morrison (20) have played big roles in the Notre Dame secondary.
Freshmen Jaden Mickey (21) and Benjamin Morrison (20) have played big roles in the Notre Dame secondary. (Jeff Douglas, Inside ND Sports)

The emergences of Benjamin Morrison and Jaden Mickey have resulted in some depth chart movement at cornerback.

Morrison has solidified himself as one of the team’s starting cornerbacks with an outstanding freshman All-America season. Although Mickey has sometimes left lots to be desired, he has continued to receive more opportunities, in part due to other players' injuries. And now with more reps under his belt, he’s starting to find his way.

“He's gained a lot of valuable experience,” Golden said. “And we love Mick. Again, he's a competitor. He's resilient. He'll find a way. So again, I mean, the last game obviously was a great challenge. And (USC) made some plays and those types of things, but he's just got to keep maturing and competing and learning. So, these guys are just at the start of the journey.

“So, for me, I would recruit Mickey every year. I'm excited about his future here. The type of young man he is and the competitor and how he learns and his versatility, being able to play nickel or whatever the case may be. … just valuable experience for him as a rookie."

With senior cornerback Cam Hart (shoulder) out for the bowl game, Mickey and junior cornerback Clarence Lewis will duke it out for reps at the other starting cornerback position.

"Yeah, (Lewis) could do (field corner),” Golden said. “And he could also play some nickel. So, we're not really locked in right now. We're really just trying to get better.”

Golden did not offer any further specifics. Instead, he deferred to complimenting the team as the fall semester ends and Notre Dame’s bowl game prep begins.

“I was pleased with our effort,” he said. “When the guys come over in the middle exams or reading days, and they have that kind of effort and competing, and they're getting better — like that was fun today.

"That was fun to watch them execute just a little piece of the game plan. We don't have the whole thing in, but just a little piece, and do it as well as they did was fun."

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