Courtesy: Getty Images
Not returning: Jaylon Smith, Will, 114 tackles, 29.6% of snaps (NFL); Joe Schmidt, Mike, 78 tackles, 32.1% of snaps (graduated); Jarrett Grace, Mike/Will, 26 tackles, 3.8% of snaps (graduated)
New: Daelin Hayes, Will, early enrollee; Jamir Jones, Sam/Will, and Jonathan Jones, Mike, coming this summer.
The Irish’s linebacking corps is perhaps the biggest question mark heading into Saturday’s spring game. Jaylon Smith, Joe Schmidt and Jarrett Grace, who accounted for more than 65 percent of the snaps at the three linebacker positions last year, are gone. Te’von Coney, who saw limited time as Smith’s backup, is recovering from January shoulder surgery and will not play Saturday. Ditto to Greer Martini, who suffered a broken hand last year.
James Onwualu, who converted to linebacker after his freshman year at wide receiver, is now the senior leader of the linebacking group. After a 2015 campaign that saw him tally 38 tackles, two pass disruptions and one forced fumble, the Irish will need his experience and motor to compensate for the loss of Smith’s production.
Coney is expected to compete for the starting position at weak-side (Will) linebacker, although spring practice reps have gone to redshirt freshman Asmar Bilal. Bilal was last year’s Scout Team Player of the Year and could play a key role at special teams if he doesn’t capture a starting spot. Martini wasn’t expected to start, but coaches love his versatility. Expect him to be James Onwualu’s relief/replacement at the strong-side/outside (Sam) position. Martini can also take up slack if needed at the middle (Mike) linebacker position.
Nyles Morgan (UND.com)
Morgan, a five-star recruit exiting high school, has played sparingly in two seasons. While his athletic ability remains unquestioned, it’s been his loose grasp of the defensive scheme that has limited his playing time. (It also didn’t help that Schmidt, the man in front of Morgan, had a high defensive IQ and was considered the leader of the defense.) Beat writers who have watched practice say Morgan is more vocal and is more confident in his reads – there’s less guessing and more hitting the right hole consistently.
As for potential, coaches love Hayes for his explosiveness and his ability to get himself into the backfield. However, Hayes has been limited in drills because he’s recovering from surgery on a torn labrum in his right shoulder. I don’t expect to see him in action Saturday, either.
Notre Dame graduate, class of '02 (the Davie years!). A former newspaper and TV reporter, andrewwinn is now professionally involved in something far less fun to discuss than college football. A dad, a husband and a wannabe data nerd.
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