1996 Defensive Outlook
Defense Solid Up Front
The only defensive regular gone up front from a year ago is noseguard
and captain Paul Grasmanis. Other than that spot, the lineup returns intact,
with ends Renaldo Wynn (57 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, team-leading 6.5
sacks in '95) and Corey Bennett (46 tackles) both returning. Wynn was tabbed
by Lou Holtz as probably Notre Dame's most consistent season-long defensive
performer for '95, while the out-sized Bennett filled the gap produced
when Melvin Dansby underwent neck surgery after spring drills a year ago.
Dansby missed all of '95 with the neck injury suffered during '95 spring
drills but is now back at full speed and played impressively last spring
in winning the right end job. Also back are junior Kurt Belisle (he also
sat out most of last year after early-season knee surgery), plus sophomore
Shelton Jordan and senior Darnell Smith.
Smith played in five games in '95, while Jordan did not see game action
as a rookie.
At noseguard, look for untested sophomore Antwon Jones (he didn't play
at all in '95), senior Alton Maiden (he missed the entire '95 campaign
but made 13 tackles in '94) and fifth-year player David Quist to battle
for playing time. Jones' productivity provided him with a slight edge at
the end of spring drills.
All Four Linebackers Are Back
The Irish don't boast massive amounts of depth at the linebacker slots,
but all four starters return in outside linebackers Bert Berry (76 tackles,
third on team in '95) and Kory Minor (48 tackles and 6 sacks as '95 freshman
regular) and inside linebackers Cobbins (team-leading 105 tackles, team-high
5 ints. in '95) and Kinnon Tatum (82 tackles, second on team in '95).
Cobbins came on to develop into a legitimate impact player for the
Notre Dame defense by the end of '95, making all five of his interceptions
in the last four regular-season games combined and also leading the '95
squad in fumble recoveries. He and Tatum form a pairing that provides the
Irish with excellent quickness and hitting ability inside.
Berry and Minor have switched roles for '96 compared to a year ago,
making Berry more visible in the pass-rush schemes. Berry has been at least
a part-time starter since his freshman season, while Minor was the lone
freshman regular on the '95 roster.
While the '96 Irish may not boast a truly dominant individual performer
on defense, both Cobbins and Berry rated first-team All America mention
in at least one preseason publication.
Fifth-year player Bill Wagasy (12 tackles in '95) returns outside,
joined by neophyte sophomore Lamont Bryant, who enjoyed a strong spring
(he missed all of '95 after injuries from a preseason auto accident). Also
returning is junior outside linebacker Corey Redder, who sat out all of
'95 with back problems.
Inside linebackers Bobbie Howard (he earned one starting assignment
as a freshman in '95), Bill Mitoulas, Joe Babey, Jimmy Friday and Joe Thomas
also are back. Wagasy, Mitoulas and Babey rate as special-team standouts,
while Thomas and Friday did not play in '95.
Secondary Comparatively Green
The looming questions on defense are in the secondary where cornerback
Shawn Wooden and safeties Brian Magee and LaRon Moore all have graduated.
The most experienced of the returnees are junior corners Allen Rossum (36
tackles, 3 ints. in '95) and Ivory Covington (24 tackles in '95) and junior
safety Jarvis Edison (played in six games in '95), all three of
whom are projected starters for '96.
Also assisting at the cornerback slot is sophomore Shannon Stephens,
while junior Ty Goode (played in eight games in '95) will work with Edison
at free safety. Stephens did not play as a rookie a year ago.
The strong safety job remains up for grabs between untested sophomores
Benny Guilbeaux and A'Jani Sanders. Guilbeaux played in seven contests
in '95 with special teams, while Sanders did not see game action in '95.
Also in the mix at strong safety is sophomore Mario Strayhorn (he did not
see varsity action in '95).
