Neal Seeing Some Time at DE; Smith at ILB
According to the Journal Gazette on Monday, sophomore OLB Kerry Neal has been seeing some time at defensive end and fellow sophomore OLB Brian Smith has been seeing some time on the inside as well as the outside.
Their paths are starting to split. Linebackers coach Jon Tenuta said Neal has worked with the defensive ends as a rushing linebacker. And Smith is working both outside and inside as a “stack-backer” in order to move him into more positions where he can be effective for Notre Dame’s defense. (Full Story)
This move gives a lot of credence to the rumblings that Notre Dame will be running more 4-3 looks this year in year two of the”3-4 personnel” defense. Neal could be very effective as a pass rusher in a 4-3 look on passing downs.
Smith seeing time on the inside is also a bit interesting. Mo Crum returns as a starting ILB and Toryan Smith is expected to man the other starting ILB spot. The “stack” linebacker is generally a linebacker that a defense tries to cover up in order to free him up to make plays. That sounds like a role Smith could very easily fill after showing big play potential as a true freshman last year.
Frank Vitovitch has been Co-Owner and Editor in Chief of UHND.com since joining forces with Kyle Flavin in 1999. Since that time, he has written over 2,000 articles covering Notre Dame football, recruiting, and basketball. He also works with all staff and external writers on all articles published on UHND.com. Frank's love for Notre Dame football started at a young age watching Rocket Ismail give opposing coaches ulcers in the late 1980's. By day Frank works in marketing and holds a degree in Digital Media from Drexel University. Frank's work has been cited by online/print editions of NBC Sports, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated and has been quoted on air by ESPN's Collin Cowherd. He's conducted interviews with Notre Dame legends Rocket Ismail, Randy Kinder, Lee Becton, Reggie Brooks, Michael Stonebreaker, and Ned Bolcar among others over his 20+ years of covering Notre Dame football. He's also been published in the print edition of USA Today Sports Weekly and the USA Today College Football Preview multiple times. Other Published Works/Citations for Frank Three Reasons Notre Dame Will Beat Alabama - USA Today Notre Dame Suspends WR Kevin Stepherson, RB C.J. Holmes Indefinitely - Bleacher Report Notre Dame / Ohio State Fiesta Bowl Preview - Eleven Warriors Brace Yourself: The Fighting Irish are Relevant Again - Sports on Earth Interviews with the Enemy: A Q&A with Frank Vitovitch of UHND - Yahoo! Sports Five Good Minutes: Notre Dame Football Preview With UHND.com - BC Interruption Vicious Electronic Questioning with UHND - MGO Blog
Comments
BE FIRST TO RESPOND