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Notre Dame Football: Writers Play Fact or Fiction

By Sonny Martinez

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on during the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on during the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – NOVEMBER 04: Jerry Tillery #99 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish rushes against Ryan Anderson #70 of the Wake Forest Demon Deaconsat Notre Dame Stadium on November 4, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Wake Forest 48-37.(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Statement No. 4: Even with all of the defensive talent, Jerry Tillery will be the MVP of the defense.

JP: Fact. For the defense to continue to be elite, the Irish must first win in the trenches. Tillery is the one true game-changer Notre Dame has on the defensive line. He must play to his full ability for Notre Dame to compete with the best teams on the 2018 schedule.

Jack: Fact. There are a few solid candidates for the most important defensive player on this team. However, a good defense is built from the inside out. Playing the interior defensive line positions, Tillery will be vital in helping the Irish win at the point of attack. He can make an impact in both the run game and the pass game. In drawing double teams and being disruptive, Tillery will also help players like Te’von Coney and Drue Tranquill be successful.

Sonny: On the stat sheet, fiction, but on the field, fact. I think Te’Von Coney has the flashier numbers, but the difference maker of the defense will be Tillery. It’s his last season at Notre Dame, meaning he’ll be looking to improve his NFL Draft stock. Tillery should be able to make enough noise to occasionally be double teamed on the line, resulting in guys like Hayes and Okwara having big play potential. There’s no reason he can’t reach his full potential and become an All-American this season.

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