Mike Elston Talks Defensive Line Depth
Mike Elston is back coaching the Notre Dame defensive line, and a third of the way through spring practice, the longtime Brian Kelly assistant feels good about what’s in store for his group.
“It’s been fun, we’re really going to have a chance to be good,” Elston said.
Elston was in the running to become Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator this offseason before Kelly elected to hire Wake Forest’s Mike Elko to overhaul the defense. Elko hired fellow Demon Deacons assistant Clark Lea to coach the linebackers — Elston’s position the past two seasons — meaning Elston would be moving back to the defensive line.
The 42-year-old former Michigan outside linebacker worked with the defensive line from 2010-14. He’s also been the recruiting coordinator for the Irish since 2015.
“I love it, it’s fun,” Elston said of the defensive line position. “It’s kind of a zero focus in on those front guys and get after them. We’re spending a lot of time on pass rush and getting on the edge and working penetration.”
Elston inherits a defensive line group that underwhelmed in 2016, registering just three sacks. Among the returning players, there is only three — but none recorded last year.
Finding ways to get to the quarterback is one of the top priorities for Elko and the Irish, and that starts with Elston and the coaching staff pushing the right buttons.
“It starts with me every morning,” Elston said. “I’ve got to have the energy and enthusiasm, which I’ve supplied for them. I’m in charge of putting the gas in their engines and starting it up. We’re trying to get the competitive level up.”
Despite the lack of production, there is considerable talent along the defensive front. Five practices into spring workouts, former five-star defensive end Daelin Hayes (6-3, 255) has looked strong, flashing the potential he showed glimpses of as a freshman last season.
The other Hayes, senior Jay, is locked in a battle for a starting spot at strongside end with senior Andrew Trumbetti (6-4, 252). Jay Hayes played just 155 snaps last year to Trumbetti's 467, though that is expected to even out in 2017.
“I mean Jay Hayes is 280 pounds,” Elston said. “He’s big, he’s physical, he plays physical, so Jay can give us a lot of snaps if he continues to grow in the areas he needs to, which he is. He’s committed to that right now.”
Junior Jerry Tillery (6-6, 308) enters his third season in a major role and is manning the starting nose tackle spot with senior Daniel Cage (6-1, 329) backing him up. Cage missed the final four games of last season with concussion issues, but Elston said those are behind Cage.
Senior Jonathan Bonner (6-3, 284) is getting first-team reps at defensive tackle. While Elston likes where Bonner projects as a defensive tackle, he wouldn't go as far saying Bonner is "locked in" at the spot.
Developmental players such as sophomores Ade Ogundeji (6-4, 251) and Julian Okwara (6-4, 235) have the tools for success, and bring a different element to the pass rush than what a player like Trumbetti can.
“Ade’s so long and rangy and Julian is long,” Elston said. “The edge pass rush that Julian can give us is different than how Andrew’s going to have to progress. So his plan has got to be different than Julian Okwara.”
With junior defensive tackle Elijah Taylor (6-3, 280) out for the spring with a Lisfranc fracture in his foot, more reps are going to junior Micah Dew-Treadway and senior Brandon Tiassum (6-4, 304).
Dew-Treadway, who Kelly complimented last week, is like a “big thing of putty,” Elston said.
“He’s got to learn better,” Elston said of the 6-4, 299-pounder. “We’re challenging him every day to pick it up faster. We’re demanding a lot from him and he may not be ready for that right now, but we’re going to keep throwing it at him.
“I really like his attitude, I like how he’s working. It’s exciting for him, because he’s got a lot of ability.”
----
• Talk about it inside Rockne’s Roundtable
• Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes
• Learn more about our print and digital publication, Blue & Gold Illustrated.
• Follow us on Twitter: @BGINews, @BGI_LouSomogyi, @BGI_CoachD,
@BGI_MattJones, @BGI_DMcKinney and @BGI_CoreyBodden.
• Like us on Facebook.