The luxuries of a year ago created the greatest concerns for Notre Dame’s defense this offseason. When Te’von Coney and Drue Tranquill returned for 2018, they set up the Irish for a Playoff run, and they also put off worries about the linebacker position for 12 months.
That bill now comes due for Notre Dame and defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Clark Lea.
Spring roster:
— Fifth-year Asmar Bilal, a starter somewhere.
— Senior Jonathan Jones, a possible starter, as hard as that may have been to believe a year ago.
— Junior Jordan Genmark Heath, another possible starter after a season spent backing up ironman Tranquill.