Notre Dame Football: What You Need to Know About Irish's Defensive-Line Depth

Upon accepting the head coach position at Notre Dame, Brian Kelly understood that his primary objective was to build a championship-caliber defense that began with a deep and talented defensive line.

After three full recruiting classes, Kelly and his staff have accomplished that feat. The Irish defensive line has evolved into one of the nation's premier units.

For a deeper look at this season's defensive line, take a look through the following slideshow.

Enjoy.

Nose Tackle

Depth Chart

1. Louis Nix III 
2. Kona Schwenke
3. Tony Springmann

It all starts in the middle at nose tackle for the Fighting Irish defensive line.

Louis Nix will reprise his starting role during his redshirt sophomore season. Entering the 2011 season, Nix had questions surrounding his weight and conditioning, but he put those concerns to rest by proving himself on the field.

Nix still hasn't evolved into an every-down player for the Irish but is on track to add that type of consistency to his game.

Backing up Nix will be former defensive end Kona Schwenke, who packed on enough weight to his frame to slide over to nose tackle. The massive Hawaiian has had a relatively quiet career in South Bend thus far but will have more than a few opportunities to make some noise in 2012 as Nix's backup.

And resting at third on the nose-tackle depth chart is Tony Springmann, a native of nearby Fort Wayne, IN. Springmann will likely see time in mop-up duty in 2012 and will only be forced into action should Nix or Schwenke go down with an injury.

Left Defensive End

Depth Chart

1. Kapron Lewis-Moore
2. Sheldon Day
3. Tyler Stockton

Fifth-year senior Kapron Lewis-Moore was penciled in as Aaron Lynch's backup at left defensive end until Lynch made a quick exit from the program earlier this spring.

Now, Lewis-Moore has been cast back into a starting role. The 6'4", 306-pound Texas native should enjoy a breakout season of sorts, as Stephon Tuitt will be commanding double-teams at the opposite side of the line.

Lewis-Moore will also serve as a mentor to Sheldon Day, a true freshman who enrolled early for the spring semester. Day will be counted on to play major minutes, making Lewis-Moore a key figure in his development.

Tyler Stockton, a formerly heralded 4-Star recruit, is currently third on the depth chart at left defensive end and will likely be relegated to garbage-time minutes during the upcoming season.

Right Defensive End

Depth Chart

1. Stephon Tuitt
2. Chase Hounshell

Brian Kelly and Co. have the pleasure of saying that they have one of the nation's most fearsome defensive linemen, Stephon Tuitt.

Tuitt, a 5-Star recruit in the 2011 haul, earned a starting position early on in the 2011 season and never relinquished it. Now, Tuitt has garnered even more expectations, with the loss of former player Aaron Lynch.

He'll get a breather every now and then, but the production at the position won't drop off, with sophomore Chase Hounshell backing up Tuitt. After playing only a handful of minutes in 2011, Hounshell will see an expanded role in 2012.

Incoming Freshmen

Incoming Freshmen

1. Jarron Jones, DT
2. Romeo Okwara, DE
3. Sheldon Day, DE (early-enrollee)

One year after Brian Kelly and his staff reeled in two 5-Star defensive linemen, they were at it again on the recruiting trail.

The Irish staff secured commitments from defensive tackle Jarron Jones, as well as defensive ends Romeo Okwara and Sheldon Day. Given the depth at defensive tackle, Jones is a redshirt candidate, while Okwara may make the move from defensive end to outside linebacker. 

Either way you slice it, this group of defensive linemen was another great haul by the coaching staff and has added serious depth to the front line.

Overview

During the Charlie Weis era, the defensive side of the ball never seemed to be a priority. Things have changed under the leadership of Brian Kelly.

He certainly understands that defense wins championships and that a championship-caliber defense starts with a solid defensive line. The Fighting Irish now have that.

And with a thin, inexperienced secondary, the defensive line will need to flex its collective muscle and overpower opposing backfields. It should make for the most successful season for a Notre Dame defensive line in nearly two decades.