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Notre Dame football: Defensive two-deep projection entering 2022 Spring Practice

By Daniel Morrison

Nov 20, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Jordan Yates (13) is hit as he throws by Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey (7) in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Jordan Yates (13) is hit as he throws by Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey (7) in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – JANUARY 01: Isaiah Foskey #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish sacks Spencer Sanders #3 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the first quarter during the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2022, in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – JANUARY 01: Isaiah Foskey #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish sacks Spencer Sanders #3 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the first quarter during the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2022, in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line

In the modern college football defense, the defensive line has the least rigid starting lineup. This is a way of countering up-tempo offenses, which tire out defensive linemen. So, there is a common rotation, and you’re likely to see as many as twelve defensive linemen play in a single game.

Still, there are always going to be defensive linemen who get more playing time than others and go into the game for key situations.

Marcus Freeman traditionally changes his defense weekly to counter the opponent his defenses are playing. That means moving between a 4-2, a 3-3-5, and other base defenses as necessary. Again, while good for the team on a weekly basis within the season, it makes it difficult to come up with an exact two-deep for the front seven.

So, with that being said, Notre Dame tends to use a defensive end, nose tackle, defensive tackle, and a viper on the front seven. The Vyper is essentially a stand-up defensive end who can drop back to linebacker when necessary. It’s the role that Isaiah Foskey fills.

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