2016 Notre Dame Defensive Line Looks To Improve

Can the Notre Dame Defensive Line be better in 2016?

As we look forward to this coming season, the Fighting Irish defense will have to play well for the Irish to have a successful season. A review of the defensive line shows its potential.

Isaac Rochell, the 6’4” 290 lb. senior from Georgia will be the starting strongside end. The former four-star recruit had a good season last year as he had 58 tackles and seven and half tackles for loss. Trying to make the two-deep at this position are Jonathan Bonner, a 6’3” 285 lb. red-shirt junior from Missouri. He made progress throughout last season as he saw spot duty on the line. Also looking to see action is the highly acclaimed Khalid Kareen, the four-start recruit from Michigan. Kareen is 6’4”, 270 lbs. and is a true freshman whose potential is off the charts.

There is a real contest to see who starts at weakside end. Andrew Trumbetti, at 6’3” 260 lbs., backed up Romeo Okwara last season and will battle Jay Hayes, a 6’3”, 285 lb. junior from New York. Hayes was red-shirted as a sophomore last season. True freshman Daelin Hayes who is 6’4”, 285 lbs. was recruited as a linebacker, but with his size, may see action on the line this season.

At nose guard, Jarron Jones will start. The fifth year 6’5” 315 lb. senior was injured last season and did not see any action but was a starter in 2014. He can collapse the offensive line and requires two blockers to contain him. Also in the rotation is Daniel Cage, 6’1”, 300 lbs. who played well last season. Pete MoKwvah, a 6’2”, 317 lb. red-shirt junior is also in the mix to see action. The Fighting Irish are well staffed at this position.

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At tackle, Jerry Tillery will be the starter. The 6’6” 310 lb. sophomore played a lot last season and appears to have the potential to become a star. Two red-shirt freshmen will back up Tillery. They are Elijah Taylor, a 6”3” 285 pounder from Ohio and Micah Dew-Treadway, who is 6’4”, 300 lbs. Taylor and Treadway will compete to make the two deep at tackle.

The Fighting Irish look good at the defensive line with Isaac Rochell and either Andrew Trumbetti or Jay Hayes at the end positions bolds well that the Irish will have containment at the corners with the ability to rush the quarterback. The twosome of Jerry Tillery and Jarron Jones at tackle have both the experience and ability to stop the rushing attack of Notre Dame’s opponents. Look for the defense line to lead the Fighting Irish defense this season. Overall, this should lead to a much improved defense for this coming season.

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