Say what you will about the 2013 Figthing Irish football season, the offensive line impressed, and was a main reason for the team’s offensive success. Coach Hiestand’s charges, starters all, held otherwise indomitable defenses in check. Stanford and Arizona State, both FBS leaders in sacks per game, were held to one sack between the two of them. Michigan State’s swarming attack averaged three sacks per game, yet left South Bend with none. The O-line’s ability to open holes allowed three games in which the Irish ran for more than two hundred yards.
The NFL took notice. Zack Martin was Notre Dame’s lone First Round pick, while Chris Watt went in the Third, alongside Louis Nix, III. If the League sniffs the Irish linemen in 2015, chances are they’ll be sniffing the Irish Player To Watch.
IRISH PLAYER TO WATCH: Nick Martin, Senior, C, 6’4.5″, 294 lbs.
I picked Nick as the Player to Watch last year as well, because I felt his play at the center position would matter enormously to whomever was taking the snaps. This year, I’m going with him again, but now because of his experience, leadership, and his familiarity with many of the fronts Everett Golson and Malik Zaire will see. In 2013, Nick started at center each game until he was lost for the season against BYU with a knee injury. Assuming his recovery is complete, Nick’s ability to dissect the D and get the assignments set should allow for the next generation of talent to definitively step forward. I’m taking to you Messrs. Stanley, Elmer, and McGlinchey.
Add in Christian Lombard‘s experience and leadership, and the Irish O-line has every reason to be a strength in 2014.
ENEMY PLAYER TO WATCH: Cameron Erving, Florida State, LT, 6’6″, 302
In the “Credit Where It’s Due” Department, Cameron Erving was one of two Florida State O-linemen who turned down the chance to enter last year’s NFL draft, likely foregoing First Round-selection. He and TrĂ© Jackson were big reasons why FSU won the National Championship and why their QB, Jameis Wilson, pulled in more silver than a Vegas pawn shop.
Simply put, Cameron Erving is a nasty beast. A consensus First Team All-American and All-ACC player, Erving is fundamentally sound, with quickness and strength enough to move any tackle well beyond the play. A converted D-lineman, Erving brings a definite killer mentality to the game, to wit, he helps out FSU’s D when he can:
You can watch him stymie Pitt below. Note that one of the Panthers frustrated by him is Aaron Donald, who was drafted in the First Round last year. Donald only managed two tackles and one sack against Erving and the ‘Noles, which bodes very well for FSU as they defend their title in 2014.
For what it’s worth, though, Donald had zero sacks and zero solo tackles against the Irish.
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- Irish Finish Regular Season Perfect 12-0 - November 26, 2018