Fansided

Notre Dame Football Spring Game 2017: 5 things to watch for

By Brad Weiss

Sep 24, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown (6) runs after the catch as Duke Blue Devils safety Jordan Hayes (13) attempts to tackle in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown (6) runs after the catch as Duke Blue Devils safety Jordan Hayes (13) attempts to tackle in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Oct 29, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya (15) is pressured by Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Jerry Tillery (99) in the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya (15) is pressured by Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Jerry Tillery (99) in the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Who will step up on the defensive line?

The defensive line  took a serious hit to graduation last season, and they will  have to replace guys like Isaac Rochell and Jarron Jones. Though good players, Jones and Rochell were a big part of a unit that allowed over 180 yards per game on the ground last season. If the Fighting Irish want to be successful next season, they have to do a better job against the run, and they brought in some solid freshman to help them do just that this season.

Freshman Darnell Ewell and Kurt Hinish are going to get every opportunity to start this season, and they are two players to keep an eye on this Saturday. The team does return players like Jonathan Bonner and Pete Mokwuah, both of which got some good experience last season. Whoever is on the line this season will have to do a better job at getting after the quarterback, as the unit as whole racked up only 14 sacks in 12 games in 2016.

Jerry Tilley and Daniel Cage should be the leaders of the group this season, but this unit is going to be young. The Fighting Irish play some solid quarterbacks next season, and if they cannot do a better job against the pass, they are going to struggle once again. The Spring Game should give head coach Brian Kelly a good look at his depth up front this season, which is going to be improved over the group that struggled so badly last season.

Home/College Football