Midseason Report Card: Top Defensive Players

A look at Notre Dame's top defensive players through the first half of the season.

There are a number of Notre Dame players who could make a case for being on this list, which is partly why the Irish defense has been as good as it has.

But for every strong case could be made for inclusion of another player, there have been ups-and-downs at a number of spots that caused me to bump more proven players off this list.

1. MYRON TAGOVAILOA-AMOSA, DEFENSIVE TACKLE

Stats: 14 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks

His raw stats won’t blow you away, but I’m of the opinion that Tagovailoa-Amosa has been Notre Dame’s most consistent player on defense this season. Consistency alone won’t make you the No. 1 player on this defense, but Tagovailoa-Amosa has also had impact plays.

Whether it’s breaking up passes, generating pressures that force mistakes by the offense, shutting down the run game or recovering a fumble that sets up an offensive score, we’ve seen Tagovailoa-Amosa be a difference maker week after week.

His ability to shoot gaps and get into the backfield has aided the run defense, especially in recent games. The Hawaiian big man has also proven capable of holding up well at the point of attack, and his 11 run stops lead the defensive line.

Tagovailoa-Amosa wasn’t much of a pass rushing threat his first two seasons, but this season he’s been highly effective at disrupting the opposition pass game. Pro Football Focus has him with 17 quarterback pressures on the season, which ranks third on the defense.

2. ASMAR BILAL, LINEBACKER

Stats: 35 tackles, 5 tackles for loss

Bilal was my biggest question mark on defense coming into the season, but over the last five games he’s not only been a steady factor in the defense, he’s been a playmaker. Bilal’s five tackles for loss and 22 solo tackles are both second on the defense. Only Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has more solo tackles, and he would easily be on this list if he could eliminate some of the assignment and technique mistakes.

Bilal has been good all-around, showing the ability to handle the run in the box, to make plays on the perimeter, to be effective with stunts/blitzes and to be all over the pass game. In the opener against Louisville he showed the same lack of feel and downhill ability that plagued him the two previous seasons, but by the time we got to the Georgia game, Bilal looked like a completely different player.

He was at his best against USC, making plays in the box and showing explosiveness to the sideline against the run, and then being able to look up routes, close throwing lanes and quickly close on pass catchers in the short zones.

If Bilal can continue this level of play and if Owusu-Koramoah can clean up his game, the linebacker corps will serve as a backbone of the defense in the final six games.

3. KHALID KAREEM, DEFENSIVE END

Stats: 20 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks

Kareem hasn’t been the difference maker I thought he would be, or that he’s capable of being, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been good this season. He got off to a bit of a slow start, but in recent games his all-around production has been a key part of the defensive success.

The senior is second on the defense with 24 quarterback pressures and his six run stops are second among all linemen. If Kareem tackles better down the stretch his run stop numbers will take a major jump. He’s been physical on the edge, which has been a key factor in Notre Dame’s improvement against the run in recent games.

Kareem has been disruptive in the pass game, and his pressures have come at key moments. He has been mostly about power this season, and when he’s playing at a high level he can have as big of an impact on the game as anyone on the defense.

4. KYLE HAMILTON, SAFETY

Stats: 21 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 break ups

Hamilton hasn’t had as much on his plate as veteran safeties Alohi Gliman or Jalen Elliott, who also deserve consideration to be on this list. But the fact is Hamilton has been a difference maker for the defense, and his presence has been a factor in Notre Dame’s improved third-down defense.

The freshman has been able to play the centerfield role effectively, but he’s also been able to handle coming down hill and defending the alleys. He’s delivered a number of hard hits and cleaned up runs, and outside of a few early rookie mistakes he’s been able to play relatively clean football against the run.

Hamilton has thrived in coverage, something he struggled with early in fall camp. He shows a good feel for reading routes, he uses his range effectively to close plays off and he is a hard guy to complete passes on. Opponents have completed just two of 10 attempts against Hamilton. Think about that, Hamilton has more passes defended (four, with two interceptions and two break ups) than he has receptions allowed.

Hamilton had a career-high eight tackles in the win over USC.

5. JULIAN OKWARA, DEFENSIVE END

Stats: 13 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 5 sacks

Okwara is on this list because of his brilliant performance against Virginia and the fact he has still been the team’s best pass rusher. The senior has not been as effective against the run this season, which drags down his overall performance. Okwara is on pace for just 13 run stops this season after registering 26 a season ago.

There is evidence that Okwara is on the verge of breaking out and getting back to being one of the nation’s best edge rushers. After registering just six quarterback pressures and just one sack in the first three games, Okwara has churned out 21 pressures, four sacks and all six of his run stops in the last three games.

Okwara and Kareem took over the Virginia game in the second half, and the pair fueled a defensive performance that carried the Irish to victory. Okwara has been better against the run in recent games as well, but he still hasn’t been as powerful at the point of attack as he was a season ago.

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