Notre Dame Football: Getting to Know the 4 Early Enrollees

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — National signing day is still a few weeks away, but four Notre Dame football commitments got a head start on their college careers this week as early enrollees.

Linebacker Tevon Coney, defensive lineman Micah Dew-Treadway, offensive lineman Tristen Hoge and defensive lineman Jerry Tillery have signed scholarship agreements with Notre Dame and began taking classes Tuesday—the first day of the spring semester—according to a Notre Dame press release.

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Tevon Coney, Micah Dew-Treadway, Tristen Hoge & Jerry Tillery on board and begin class tomorrow #ShamrockSoldiers pic.twitter.com/2nAd1mEvM5

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) January 12, 2015"

The four players are set to participate in spring practice, which begins March 2.

What should Irish fans expect from each of the four players, in the immediate future and down the road?

Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting stats and information courtesy of 247Sports.com and all quotes obtained firsthand. Star ratings reflect 247Sports composite rankings.

LB Tevon Coney

Credit: 247Sports

Tevon Coney

Tevon Coney, a 3-star linebacker form Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, committed to Notre Dame in late October and is part of a strong linebacker class that includes 4-star commits Josh Barajas and Asmar Bilal.

The 6’1”, 222-pounder took an official visit to Miami in December after unofficially visiting in November.

In the immediate future, it could be difficult for Coney to crack Notre Dame’s linebacker rotation. Starters Joe Schmidt, Jaylon Smith and James Onwualu return, and Nyles Morgan and Greer Martini each earned valuable reps due to injuries down the stretch in 2014. That being said, 20 different Notre Dame players started at least one game on defense this past season, and most of Notre Dame’s front-seven true freshmen contributed on defense in some capacity.

In his film analysis of Coney (subscription required), 247Sports’ Tom Loy cited physicality and toughness as two of the linebacker’s top traits. Loy added that Coney lacks great speed and must improve his block-shedding ability.

DL Micah Dew-Treadway

Credit: 247Sports

Micah Dew-Treadway

Micah Dew-Treadway, the 3-star defensive lineman from Bolingbrook, Illinois, is ranked as the No. 29 strong-side defensive end and the No. 540 overall player in the country.

Dew-Treadway has been locked into the Irish recruiting class since he pledge in June. The 6’5”, 275-pound lineman took his official visit to campus in early September for the Michigan game.

Notre Dame’s defensive line will return intact with the news that captain Sheldon Day will bypass the NFL draft and return for his senior season. With Day, Jarron Jones, Romeo Okwara, Isaac Rochell and Andrew Trumbetti still around, not to mention reserves such as Daniel Cage, Grant Blankenship and Jay Hayes, the Irish bring back nearly everyone on the defensive line. Early playing time appears difficult to come by for Dew-Treadway.

Loy believes (subscription required) Dew-Treadway has the versatility to play defensive end or tackle, a testament to his “terrific frame.”

OL Tristen Hoge

Credit: 247Sports

Tristen Hoge

One of Notre Dame’s original commitments in the class of 2015, offensive lineman Tristen Hoge offered his verbal to the Irish in December 2013.

The No. 1 center in the country, per 247Sports’ Composite Rankings, the 4-star Hoge checks in at No. 90 overall.

With left tackle Ronnie Stanley returning for the 2015 season, Notre Dame has the potential to bring back its entire offensive line except right tackle Christian Lombard.

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Full story coming on Irish Illustrated shortly, but Stanley’s return gives Brian Kelly the most experienced OL he’s had at Notre Dame.

— Irish Illustrated (@PeteSampson_) January 13, 2015"

Factoring in former highly regarded recruits such as Quenton Nelson, Hunter Bivin and Alex Bars, to name a few, the signs certainly don’t point toward an immediate impact for Hoge.

But the logjam should clear down the road for someone as talented as Hoge. Loy (subscription required) describes Hoge as “a natural center” and “an old-school, blue-collar type of player.” According to Loy, Hoge’s run blocking is more advanced than his pass protection.

DL Jerry Tillery

Credit: 247Sports

Jerry Tillery

Jerry Tillery, the original commitment in Notre Dame’s class of 2015, is ranked as the No. 13 offensive tackle in the country, but the 6’6”, 308-pounder is expected to begin his Irish career on the other side of the ball.

Both lines are stocked with young bodies, but the defensive line could offer a quicker route to playing time. For example, seven true freshmen played in Notre Dame’s front seven in 2014.

The Shreveport Times tabbed Tillery as the All-City Defensive Player of the Year following the season. The two-way lineman from Evangel Christian High School piled up 93 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks.

Mike Monaco is a lead Notre Dame writer for Bleacher Report. Follow @MikeMonaco_ on Twitter.