After enrolling early for the spring, defensive end Andrew Trumbetti nearly became Notre Dame’s first ever true freshman starter at the position. He didn’t do it, with the Irish defensive staff choosing junior Romeo Okwara to run with the first team. But it’s worth putting that quick ascent into context, the young defensive lineman both quick out of the gate and one of the only options at a position that needed reloading.
Trumbetti’s solid performance as a freshman has some believing he’ll be ready to make a jump in 2015. While the depth chart remains virtually untouched, Trumbetti will likely team again with Okwara, both necessary pieces to a pass rushing puzzle that still needs to be solved.
Let’s take a look at the New Jersey native and see what we can expect in 2015.
ANDREW TRUMBETTI
6'3.5", 260 lbs.
Sophomore, No. 98, DL
RECRUITING PROFILE
With offers from Florida, Florida State, Miami and Michigan State, Trumbetti was an Under Armour All-American and a four-star prospect. He chose Notre Dame fairly early in the recruiting process and enrolled early.
PLAYING CAREER
Freshman Season (2014): Played in 12 of 13 games, missing Purdue after suffering a concussion a week earlier. Trumbetti notched one sack on the year but managed a more-than-respectable 5.5. TFLs.
WHAT WE SAID LAST YEAR
All in all, Trumbetti had a successful freshman season, one of five freshmen to notch more than 10 tackles and he finished sixth on the team in tackles for loss. He showed he was a well-rounded football player, though the pass rush numbers didn’t necessarily come.How well Trumbetti produces on the stat sheet likely says a little bit about Brian VanGorder as well as the freshman. If he’s capable of racking up a half-dozen sacks, then it’s a successful season, but also means that the Irish were able to manufacture a pass rush and put Trumbetti in a position to succeed.
Trumbetti needs to show he’s capable of doing more than just rushing the passer. He’ll be responsible for setting the edge of the defense and needs to hold up against the run as well. That makes his relationship with defensive line coach Mike Elston absolutely crucial, and he’ll need to be able to keep on (or build upon) the 251 pounds he’s playing at, a number probably lighter than optimal as he grows in the program.
Those that have seen Trumbetti play, either in high school or down at the Under Armour All-American game, tend to be believers in his ability to be an elite talent. If he’s at all capable of it, VanGorder and Elston will get it out of him, especially with the lack of pass rushers joining the 2015 recruiting class.
FUTURE POTENTIAL
Some people are incredibly high on Trumbetti, and see him as a future answer for the pass rush woes at the position. He’s got the motor, he’s plenty athletic and he has a full season under his belt so he has the type of experience you want. Supporting that is the fact that Trumbetti managed nearly half a dozen TFLs as a learn-as-you-go freshman.
Then again, the flip of that is Trumbetti’s single sack in 12 games. That doesn’t jump off the stat sheet nor give you confidence that he’ll transform into a quick-twitch, edge burner who can close on quarterbacks.
Ultimately, I’m not sure what his ceiling is yet. I think Trumbetti is going to be a productive college defensive end. Will he be a dominant player? He’ll need to capitalize on his opportunities to prove he has that ability in 2015.
CRYSTAL BALL
As we look at the ripple effects of Jarron Jones’ injury, you’ve got to think there are going to be more snaps for Trumbetti on the field this fall. Whether that means Isaac Rochell shifting inside and putting Okwara and Trumbetti as bookends or just making sure your four best defensive linemen get on the field, Trumbetti is very close to fitting that distinction.
But we need to see results in 2015. As Keith Gilmore continues his work with a depth chart that’s got decent talent but needs to maximize its ability, Trumbetti feels like a test case. He’s not big enough to succeed as a thumper in a 3-4. He’s not long and quick enough to be a true 4-3 weakside defensive end.But he’s got plenty of skills that should make him productive.
I’m skeptical, but still feel confident buying that Trumbetti takes a step forward and ultimately think he’s going to be more productive than his veteran teammate Okwara. While last season was mostly learn on the fly, if the Irish defense is going to be a Top 25 unit, they’ll need players like Trumbetti to make more than incremental progress.
I think five sacks and ten TFLs would be a great sophomore campaign.
THE 2015 IRISH A-to-Z
Josh Adams, RB
Josh Barajas, OLB
Nicky Baratti, S
Alex Bars, OL
Asmar Bilal, OLB
Hunter Bivin, OL
Grant Blankenship, DE
Jonathan Bonner, DE
Miles Boykin, WR
Justin Brent, WR
Greg Bryant, RB
Devin Butler, CB
Jimmy Byrne, OL
Daniel Cage, DL
Amir Carlisle, RB
Nick Coleman, DB
Te’von Coney, LB
Shaun Crawford, DB
Scott Daly, LS
Sheldon Day, DL
Michael Deeb, LB
Micah Dew-Treadway, DL
Steve Elmer, RG
Matthias Farley, DB
Nicco Fertitta, DB
Tarean Folston, RB
Will Fuller, WR
Jarrett Grace, LB
Jalen Guyton, WR
Mark Harrell, OL
Jay Hayes, DL
Mike Heuerman, TE
Kolin Hill, DE
Tristen Hoge, C
Corey Holmes, WR
Chase Hounshell, TE
Torii Hunter, Jr. WR
Alizé Jones, TE
Jarron Jones, DL
DeShone Kizer, QB
Tyler Luatua, TE
Cole Luke, CB
Nick Martin, C
Greer Martini, LB
Jacob Matuska, DL
Mike McGlinchey, OT
Colin McGovern, OL
Peter Mokwuah, DL
John Montelus, OL
Nyles Morgan, LB
Sam Mustipher, OL
Quenton Nelson, OL
Tyler Newsome, P
Romeo Okwara, DE
James Onwualu, LB
C.J. Prosise, WR/RB
Doug Randolph, LB/DE
Max Redfield, S
Corey Robinson, WR
Trevor Ruhland, OL
CJ Sanders, WR
Joe Schmidt, LB
Avery Sebastian, S
Elijah Shumate, S
Jaylon Smith, LB
Durham Smythe, TE
Equanimeous St. Brown, WR
Ronnie Stanley, LT
Elijah Taylor, DL
Brandon Tiassum, DL
Jerry Tillery, DL
Drue Tranquill, S