Notre Dame football: Three big questions entering fall camp

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Nov 21, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) breaks up a pass intended for Boston College Eagles wide receiver Elijah Robinson (1) in the fourth quarter at Fenway Park. Notre Dame won 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

When will the defense live up to its potential?

The amount of talent to play for Notre Dame’s defense in the past three years is incredibly impressive. Louis Nix, Jaylon Smith, Sheldon Day, KeiVarae Russell, Bennett Jackson, Stephon Tuitt, Prince Shembo… The list goes on and on.

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Yet for all that NFL talent, the Irish defense has underwhelmed more often than it has dominated. Since its championship run in 2012, Notre Dame has never had a top-25 total or scoring defense, and when Brian VanGorder came on as defensive coordinator in 2014, things stayed uneven, despite his aggressive style and complex scheme.

Now the Irish are without four of last year’s captains and six of last year’s starters. If VanGorder could not replicate Bob Diaco’s 2012 success with the likes of Jaylon Smith and Sheldon Day, how will he manage with Nyles Morgan and Jerry Tillery, talented players to be sure, but ones that lack crucial experience.

Notre Dame’s good fortune on the recruiting trail has led to increased expectations once those players step on campus. The talent is there, and the NFL draft picks have continued to matriculate, but until the overall unit can come together and produce a consistent, top-level season’s worth of play, many will wonder whether Notre Dame can compete with the nation’s very best.

Next: Who will the QB throw to?

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