Manti

Without a doubt Irish fans got some of the best news they could have hoped for this week - Manti Te’o will be back for his senior season.  Since before the first time Te’o made his first tackle in a Notre Dame uniform, we knew he was going to be something special.  Manti came out of Hawaii as a highly touted recruit who many thought would end up at rival USC.  I still remember Te’o’s first game for the Irish and thinking, “wow, we get this for four more years (well I hope four),” and on Sunday my wish came true.

When Manti announced he was coming back, Notre Dame retained arguably their best defensive player (if not their pest player period), they hung onto a leader on and off the field as well as a great student athlete and positive member of the South Bend community.  Even with the loss of Ethan Johnson and Darius Fleming, the Irish should be more than dominant and experienced as well as deep at the linebacker position. 

On the experienced side of play at inside linebacker Te’o will get to work with Dan Fox and Carlos Calabrese.  At 6’1 245 lbs., Calabrese (although another inch or two would be nice) is a fit at the middle linebacker position.  Last year as a sophomore, Carlos played in 11 games (missed two due to injury), starting in eight of them where he was fifth on the team in tackles (60).  He seemingly would have been starting this season next to Manti but was edged out by fellow sophomore Dan Fox.  Fox was initially recruited as an outside linebacker but at 6’3” 240 lbs. moved inside.  As a sophomore, Fox did play in all 13 games, mostly on special teams.  Although Dan was listed as the starter, he and Carlos split time next to Te’o.  Both Fox and Calabrese did not see any action during their freshman seasons, and therefore, both could be back for two more years.

On the potential side of things at middle linebacker, the Irish have a lot to look forward to.  Two sophomores stand out above the rest, Prince Shembo (6’2” 250lbs) and Kendall Moore (6’1” 245lbs).   As a freshman, Moore did not see any game action (saving him a year of eligibility), but was named Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year.  This season, Kendall has appeared in several games, racking up a handful of tackles.  Out of high school he was a Super Prep and Prep Star All-American.  Prince Shembo, who can and has been put at the outside linebacker because of his freakishly athletic and aggressive play, is one of the most exciting players on the Irish roster (images of Lawrence Taylor).  Although Shembo is only a sophomore, he also has played in two dozen games (collecting 6.5 sacks) for the Irish in supportive roles.  Keep an eye on freshman Jarrett Grace, who may not have been the most recruited high school prospect in the country, and at 6’2.5” 240 lbs. isn’t the biggest backer we have ever seen, but Defensive Coordinator Bob Diaco is high on this kid and that carries some weight.

With Brian Kelly’s recruiting and coaching philosophy of getting great athletes and football players and positions will take care of themselves, there are other linebackers listed primarily on the outside who may switch around in defensive schemes.   New York State High School Player of the year Ishaq Williams, who saw some action this season, has a big upside at 6’5” 255 lbs., and the kid teammates call “Hercules” (Troy Niklas - 6’6.5” 252 lbs.), who has also seen his fair share of action this year, are helping solidify Notre Dame’s defense.  Finally I am curious to see how Danny Spond fits into the picture.