Taking Stock Of The Notre Dame Linebackers
Clark Lea’s linebackers have all the characteristics of a dominant group.
The Irish return linebackers with all the necessary traits. There’s speed, strength, intelligence and experience on Notre Dame’s second level, meaning Lea and new defensive coordinator Mike Elko just have to tap into that potential.
“Part of my challenge is not necessarily hitting the eraser on everything they’ve learned as players over the years,” Lea said, “but harnessing it and funneling it into an understanding of how we want to execute our defense.”
It starts with senior middle linebacker Nyles Morgan, who had 94 tackles, six tackles for loss and four sacks last season. Junior Te’von Coney (62 tackles) and senior Greer Martini (55, seven tackles for loss) also bolster the position.
There’s also a new hybrid linebacker/safety role called the “Rover,” which Lea calls more part of the linebacker level. Junior Asmar Bilal has been getting a bulk of the reps there this spring.
Freshmen David Adams and Drew White will join the team this summer, giving the Irish more depth at linebacker. Neither are expected to contribute in 2017, however.
That means’s there’s a premium on developing depth this spring behind what figures to be a formidable front line.
MIKE
After playing last season in the 250-pound range, Morgan has slimmed down to 238 pounds, a weight that allows the former four-star prospect to be more explosive and play in the backfield.
Morgan is the unquestioned leader at the linebacker level, an alpha male leader that has taken complete control on and off the field, Lea said.
“Everyone on the team respects (him), but he doesn’t go about things just by yelling and screaming and trying to get guys lined up that way,” Lea said of Morgan. “He teaches, and there’s a level of maturity there that’s impressive too.”
Lea said he wants to see Morgan hone in on some individual techniques in the defense, things that will assist him in the new defense. While Morgan will likely never leave the field in Notre Dame’s 4-2-5 defense — he played 727 snaps in 2016, third-most on the team — his backups are still crucial in terms of development.
Jamir and Jonathan Jones (no relation) are a pair of unproven sophomores. Jonathan is the smaller of the two at 5-11, 227 pounds and redshirted in 2016. The 6-3, 243-pound Jamir played in 10 games last season — primarily on special teams — and finished with eight total tackles.
“Just young players that are learning the game,” Lea said of Jamir and Jonathan Jones. “Very different body types and skillsets. Both of those guys are working through just the little growing pains of being a young player.”
Jamir, the younger brother of former defensive lineman Jarron Jones, has learned both the Mike and Buck positions this offseason, Lea said.
“He is a unique skillset. He’s a dynamic player and he’s got a long way to go to reach his potential,” Lea said of Jamir Jones. “We’re not going to limit him as far as how he might be able to influence or help the defense. Right now he’s helping us at the Mike position. As we move forward we’ll see other places where we can use that skillset to help us win games.”
BUCK
Martini has made his name to date as a versatile linebacker capable of playing multiple linebacker positions. This spring, the 6-3, 240-pounder is focusing on the Buck position, one of two “box” linebacker spots in Elko’s defense.
Lea called Martini — who like Morgan is a team captain — a “perfectionist,” and like Morgan is dedicated to picking up the new defensive scheme.
“He takes little failures and points of failing really personal,” Lea said of Martini. “Part of coaching him is just telling him to let it go and play the next snap. As a leader and what he’s brought to the group, it’s a laser focus, an attention to detail, a consistency in the way he’s worked every day.”
Behind Martini is Coney, who at 6-1, 235 pounds is more athletic than Martini. Coney played 440 snaps at linebacker in 2016, third-most among players at the position.
Junior Josh Barajas is behind both Martini and Coney in the competition at Buck. The 6-2, 239-pound Barajas was rated as the No. 14 outside linebacker in the country by Rivals, but has yet to live up to that potential.
Barajas did not see the field last season after redshirting as a freshman in 2015. He missed some time this spring due to an illness, head coach Brian Kelly said, but has returned, Lea said.
“We’re happy to have him back and get him caught up from the time he missed,” Lea said of Barajas. “He’s a box linebacker, could play either for us. A lot of what we’re doing right now is throwing a lot of stuff out there and seeing what sticks. His position we’ll identify as we go forward. He’s been training more as the Buck, but there’s a lot of cross training there.”
ROVER
Lea wants a “twitch” and “athleticism” at Rover, two traits that Bilal bring to the table for the unique, do-everything position.
“I don’t know what it was for him last year, but what I’ll say for Asmar is he’s a guy that has all the physical traits and has the intangibles internally too,” Lea said. “He is a really good young man who builds into this program, who does what’s asked of him.
“I’m anxious to watch Asmar as spring unfolds and as he really gets comfortable playing and just execute. I want to see him do the things that we’re going to need him to do to be successful as a defense. Certainly we’re hopeful for him because what he brings to the table from a size and speed standpoint is you’d like to harness it and use it.”
The Rover is responsible for defending a lot of quick passes, Lea said, as well as contribute in the blitz game. The Rover also has to hold up in the run game, making Bilal, a natural linebacker, a good fit.
The 6-2, 229-pound Bilal and 6-2, 230-pound senior Drue Tranquill are similar sizes. Tranquill is a natural safety, but his skill set best serves him closer to the line of scrimmage.
The nature of the position allows the Irish to swap out players based on matchups.
“It’s a pretty dynamic spot that way,” Lea said. “It’s interesting because over the years we’ve had 230-pound kids that did it really well and we’ve had 215-pound players that did it really well.
“It is a unique set of skills and when you have varying body types playing the position, then you can even hone in further and say this player does this really well, let’s use him in these situations. It gives us a chance to be a little flexible.”
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