If there’s a reason to be optimistic about a defense that imploded last season, it’s the change to a 3-4 system. The switch allowed a defense that had personnel under-sized and out-of-position in an attacking, downhill, 4-3 scheme, to shift the balance of power back to the linebacking corps, the best collection of skilled defensive players on the roster.
Making the transition even easier is the fact that many of the players on the Irish roster were recruited to play in the very system the Irish return to under defensive coordinator Bob Diaco. They’ll also return three starters at linebacker as well as key reserves like Kerry Neal and Steve Filer, who was a force during the Blue-Gold game.
While the Irish need to find a starting Will linebacker to play alongside Manti Te’o in the middle, there seem to be two capable starters in Anthony McDonald and David Posluszny, with Carlo Calabrese and Steve Paskorz also fighting for time.
Here’s a look at the Irish depth chart as we head into the fall, broken down by eligibility:
LINEBACKERS DEPTH CHART
2010: Brian Smith, Kerry Neal
2011: Darius Fleming, Steve Filer, Steve Paskorz
2012: David Posluszny, Anthony McDonald, Manti Te’o
2013: Carlo Calabrese, Dan Fox
2014: Prince Shembo, Justin Utupo, Kendall Moore, Danny Spond
The senior class of linebackers is led by Brian Smith, who moves back to his natural outside linebacker position for his final season in South Bend. It’s been clear from comments made by both Diaco and head coach Brian Kelly that Smith is a great fit at the drop position, meaning he’ll spend more time out in space or in coverage than rushing the quarterback. For as much grief as Smith took for his play on the inside, not all linebackers have the versatility to play both inside and outside. (Plus, even the best inside linebackers can look pretty bad if their defensive front doesn’t protect them.) A position change might also benefit Kerry Neal, who had been playing out of position at defensive end after he was recruited to play outside backer in a 3-4 scheme. Neal battled a calf injury throughout spring, but was credited for his resiliency by Kelly.
Junior linebackers Darius Fleming and Steve Filer headline the 2011 class, with both Chicago products primed to make a leap into the headlines for the Irish defense. For Fleming, he’ll likely do most of his damage coming off the edge, as his 12 tackles for loss are the third most by an Irish underclassmen since 1976. (Credit: Lou Somogyi) Fleming was nicked for most of the Spring, but he’ll likely excel in a defensive system that produced a lot of sacks and big plays behind the line of scrimmage, already Fleming’s specialty. Filer has long dazzled with his athleticism, but the Blue-Gold game might have been a breakout performance, his 12 tackles and physicality something that coaches and fans have waited to witness since his arrival under the Dome. Filer will been a key rotational player with Smith and Fleming, and his ability to stay on the field for all three downs will only make it harder to get him off the field. Steve Paskorz rejoins the linebacking corp after spending the past two seasons at fullback. Paskorz was recruited to play inside linebacker and has the size and bulk needed to play on the inside, but he’ll be learning on the job. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Paskorz get some playing time in goal-line or short yardage sets, where the battering ram can contribute.
All three linebackers with sophomore eligibility play on the inside. Manti Te’o will step on the field with the best chance to be an elite player of any defender on the Irish roster. Te’o’s football IQ is quickly growing to match his physical abilities and his rare blend of size and speed make him a weapon at Mike linebacker. David Posluszny and Anthony McDonald will battle to play the spot next to Te’o, with both taking snaps at the Will this spring. McDonald has impressed Kelly with his physical play, and looks to finally be healthy after two star-crossed seasons. Poz, the younger brother of former Penn State star Paul Posluszny, is still a bit undersized to play in the middle, but has great instincts and used this offseason to make his way up the depth chart. McDonald or Posluszny’s ability to excel inside will be a key to the Irish having a stout run defense.
While both Carlo Calabrese and Dan Fox sat out last season, they’ve both made great impressions on the new coaching staff. Calabrese impressed during drills and made a great interception in coverage during the Blue-Gold game. Fox was mentioned by Kelly and Diaco as one of the five true options the Irish have at outside backer, which is a testament to the Ohio native’s ability. Both might need another season in strength trainer Paul Longo’s weight program, but these two have four good years ahead of them in the program, and at the very least could make a big difference on special teams.
It’ll be hard for any incoming freshman to push their way into the two-deep, but if I had to place a bet on one, it’d be Justin Utupo. Utupo has the size, athleticism, and pedigree to fit the mold of a play-early freshman, and has the potential to play a number of different positions, inside or out. The same could be said for Kendall Moore, who might profile better as an inside backer, but looks like he could have the athleticism to play out in space as well. We won’t know anything about Shembo, who also spent time playing with his hand on the ground as a defensive end in high school, until he arrives for summer camp. Keep your eye out for developmental project Danny Spond as well, who I’m profiling as a linebacker for now, but might end up on the offensive side of the ball.