Not returning: Jaylon Smith, Will, 114 tackles, 29.6% of snaps (NFL); Joe Schmidt, Mike, 78 tackles, 32.1% of snaps (graduated); Jarrett Grace, Mike/Will, 26 tackles, 3.8% of snaps (graduated)
New: Daelin Hayes, Will, early enrollee; Jamir Jones, Sam/Will, and Jonathan Jones, Mike, coming this The Irish’s linebacking corps is perhaps the biggest question mark heading into Saturday’s spring game. Jaylon Smith, Joe Schmidt and Jarrett Grace, who accounted for more than 65 percent of the snaps at the three linebacker positions last year, are gone. Te’von Coney, who saw limited time as Smith’s backup, is recovering from January shoulder surgery and will not play Saturday.