NOTRE DAME, IND. – There is a lot of excitement surrounding this year’s incoming freshmen class for the Fighting Irish, and for good reason. Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly has done an excellent job at solidifying the team with talented newcomers. With the arrival of defensive ends Aaron Lynch (ranked No. 28 by Rivals.com) and Stephon Tuitt (ranked No. 22 by Rivals.com), it is easy to see where the excitement is coming from, especially on the defensive line.
Senior defensive end Ethan Johnson is excited about the freshmen as well, but he has also been around long enough to know there is a lot more to being successful and winning football games than just excitement.
Johnson came into Notre Dame as part of the 2008 class that ranked No. 2 in the country by Rivals.com, eight spots ahead of this year’s class at No. 10. He realizes that those ranking don’t necessarily equate to wins on the football field. There is a lot more to winning than just personnel. It takes hard work, discipline, and most importantly for this team it takes something they haven’t had since the senior arrived three years ago….. continuity.
“I have never really hung my hat on recruiting sites,” said Johnson. “I feel like (when) we came in we were a talented group. We came into the situation we’re in. I’ve had three different defensive coordinators….. three different position coaches.
“This is the first time I have gone into a system for two years consecutively and known what to expect. In that respect, I think we’re going to have a much more productive year because we’re not dealing with a new coaching staff.”
Johnson, who has played in all 38 games (28 starts) since he came to Notre Dame is nevertheless happy to have the new guys around.
“It’s great,” said Johnson when discussing the drive and vigor of the freshmen. “I love it when guys come in and they think they’re the greatest because they play like they’re the greatest. They have the confidence that you don’t see in a lot of players.
“You’ve got to believe that your better than the guy across from you or otherwise you’re not going to play that way. We need guys that are that good, that think they’re that good. Even if they’re not, we need that attitude.”
One of the things Kelly mentioned in his press conference on Friday is that the young guys will alleviate some of the burden that Johnson was under last year. The depth on the defensive line should give the senior more chances to play on crucial third downs.
“My goal has always been to play every down, every play, in every game,” offered Johnson. “I especially love third down. I love rushing the passer, that’s what I love to do. That’s what got me on the field my freshman year because they realized I had pass-rushing abilities. I have definitely set that goal to play every down in every game.”
But he did have a word of caution for the freshmen not to put too much stock in the hype.
“They earned it in high school,” Johnson said jokingly. “They are some of the best high school players in the nation, but this is college football.
“Guys are a lot stronger. Everyone’s here for a reason. Everyone is on scholarship. So just because you were heavily recruited, you’re going against someone who maybe didn’t develop in high school as quickly as you did. Guys develop at different speeds.
“If anything, I would tell them just to work every day as if someone else out there is working even harder than you because there is.”
That type of advice and leadership is exactly what the coaches are looking for from the senior this year. He knows not to get too caught up in the frenzy of speculation. He has been here before and he has played in big-games against big-name players.
“That’s hype versus hype,” Johnson offered when discussing the Irish’s high-profile defense going up against high-profile players such as Denard Robinson (Michigan), Matt Barkley (USC), and Andrew Luck (Stanford).
“When other guys are hyped up, and we’re hyped, I don’t really care what (the media) are saying. I just want to play them and I want to win, that’s the bottom line. I want to do my best every day to be prepared. We’ll see what they give us and we’re going to take it and we’re going to run with it, and the chips are going to fall where they may. I don’t have control of the entire game, but I have control of my job.”
It is clear when listening to Johnson talk about the season that his mind is set on winning football games. More importantly, it is evident from his experience that he knows what it takes to do so. He is secure in his role on the team and enjoys helping grow the guys to play behind him.
“That’s just me having confidence in my game,” Johnson emphasized when talking about Lynch and Tuitt vying for playing time. “I’ve been here. I’ve played in the system already and I know what I can do.
“I know right out of high school it’s really, really hard to play as a freshman, especially on the (defensive) line. Your body is not used to the type of work volume that’s required every game and throughout the season. There are just certain things you don’t expect.
“It’s very tough to come in and play every snap and every down of every game. There is a lot of talent in the freshmen class, and there is a lot of talent on the defensive line that’s not in the freshmen class, I’m just really excited.”
