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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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Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Justin Ademilola (9) reacts after recovering a fumble against the Stanford Cardinal during the second quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame football: Defensive two-deep projection entering Spring

Defensive End

  • 1st team-Nana Osafo-Mensah

Whoever the next starting defensive end is going to be, they have big shoes to fill. This was, after all, Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa’s role. Osafo-Mensah played in twelve games last season, even starting against Virginia, making him a probable starter in 2022.

  • 2nd team-Rylie Mills

Rylie Mills has great size and length. He’s a former four-star recruit who saw action in multiple games last season, including getting his first career sack against Florida State.

Nose Tackle

  • 1st team-Jacob Lacey

The senior Jacob Lacey is the top choice to start at nose tackle for the Irish. He’s got by far the most experience in the role and has looked good when he’s had opportunities in the past. This is a role that gets rotated a lot, though, so he won’t be the only one on the field here. Last season, this role was primarily filled by Kurt Hinish.

  • 2nd team-Aidan Keanaaina

There is very little experience after Jacob Lacey a the nose tackle spot. Now an academic junior, Aidan Keanaaina is a former three-star recruit who has been developing over the past few years. To this point, he’s only really seen action in the 2020 blowout win over USF. Still, he looks to be in a good spot to get more playing time.

Defensive Tackle

  • 1st team-Jayson Ademilola

Depending on how the Irish line up, the defensive tackle spot is going to be a versatile one. It might be taken out and added to the rotation with the nose tackle spot. Other times, it’s going to play more of a traditional role in the defense. No matter what, though, this role is certainly going to be filled by Jayson Ademilola, who has tons of experience going all the way back to 2018 when he played in eleven games.

  • 2nd team-Howard Cross

An under-the-radar player, Howard Cross started the game against Wisconsin in 2021, while recording two sacks against Georgia Tech. He’s an academic senior with two more seasons of eligibility left. That means he has had plenty of time to develop physically into the role.

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