Notre Dame Defense Wins Championships: Part II- The Front 7

My last article focused on the talent and depth in the Notre Dame secondary, one of the best in the country. Walls, Blanton, Smith, and McCarthy might be the best defensive backfield Irish fans have ever seen. Factor in the extremely talented depth behind them, and you have the beginnings of a very special defense. However, a great secondary does not make a great defense. Fans will worry, and haters will hate against, the ability to stop the run. Indeed, ND has had trouble stopping the run the past two years, and the graduation of long-time linebacker mainstay Maurice Crum Jr., and fiery DT Pat Kuntz leaves more holes to be plugged with young, unproven talent. How then will this year be any better?   The key to this year, the puzzle piece that finally fits, is of course, a Smith. Not Brian though. Not Harrison Either. Toryan Smith. I'll say it now, and you can take it to the bank, and in January either throw it in my face, or finally admit my omniscience when it comes to ND football: The ... (link)