SOUTH BEND — Notre Dame received good news Monday night.
Nose tackle Jerry Tillery and linebacker Te’von Coney have decided to come back to school for the senior seasons in 2018 rather than bolt for the NFL early. Brian Kelly made the announcement on Twitter.
The return of Tillery and Coney is a huge boost for Notre Dame’s defense, which lost coordinator Mike Elko to Texas A&M this offseason. Their experience and leadership will be key in building on what the Fighting Irish started last season in turning the program around.
Coney led the Irish with 116 tackles — 24 more than senior Nyles Morgan, who had the second-most — tallied 13 tackles for loss, and added three sacks. He had a career-high 17 tackles in Notre Dame’s 21-17 win over LSU in the Citrus Bowl.
With Morgan and senior Greer Martini graduating, Coney’s return was crucial for Notre Dame’s linebacker corps. Rover Drue Tranquill also announced in December he’d return for a fifth year. It will only benefit both Coney and Tranquill that former linebackers coach Clark Lea was promoted to defensive coordinator following Elko’s departure as well.
The 6-7, 306-pound Tillery led the team with 4.5 sacks and added 56 tackles, nine for loss, and 11 quarterback hits.
Their decision is good news for the Irish after losing top playmakers Equanimeous St. Brown and Josh Adams early to the NFL, Elko to Texas A&M, and offensive line coach Harry Hiestand to the Chicago Bears.
Follow IndyStar Notre Dame Insider Laken Litman on Twitter and Instagram: @lakenlitman.
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