2019 Chargers Draft Profile: Notre Dame LB Te’Von Coney

In the exact same vein of the frustration that stemmed from the offensive line group from 2013-2016, the Chargers linebacker group has been plagued with accidents for the final two seasons. So much to the stage that Gus Bradley desired to play the final two game titles of the seasons with 7 defensive backs on the discipline because that was nonetheless mild-years far better than staying caught with a blend of Kyle Emanuel, Nick Dzubnar, and Hayes Pullard in the center.

Perryman missed another sizable chunk of the year and Jatavis Brown unsuccessful to finish the common year nutritious, once once more. Kyzir White, the team’s setting up weakside linebacker out of training camp, was playing exceptionally nicely till he sustained a knee personal injury in the second recreation of the year against the Buffalo Expenditures.

This cannot be the situation any lengthier. The must obtain some assistance, through the draft or free of charge agency, and obtain some continuity at the placement before the staff finds by itself in a placement where by the defense must assistance out the new quarterback in town.

One player that intrigues me is Notre Dame’s adaptable center linebacker Te’Von Coney. He was a standout in excess of the final 3 seasons for the Irish and experienced himself a single of the far better week’s among the invited players at this year’s Reese’s Senior Bowl.

At the all-star showcase, Coney measured in at a hair below 6-foot-1 and 244 lbs. When I bought the opportunity to speak with Coney throughout a single of the week’s media classes, he educated that 2018 was essentially his initially yr playing center linebacker. His former 3 seasons were being spent on the outside the house. If any, this shows a testomony to his leadership talents and football IQ that Mentor Brian Kelly selected him to direct the defense when an individual was desired to phase into that purpose.

Coming out of Palm Seaside Gardens Large-Faculty in Florida, Coney was the country’s 12-rated linebacker by 247Sports activities and the 20th outside the house linebacker in accordance to ESPN. On ESPN’s 300 checklist, he was 295th.

Right after enrolling early at South Bend, Coney played as a true freshman, predominantly on special groups and in a reserve purpose. As a sophomore, Coney was ready to crack the setting up lineup, playing in 12 whole game titles although setting up nine. He completed that yr with 62 tackles and two for decline.

By his junior yr in 2017, Coney nonetheless wasn’t the whole-time starter. Even though he only began 7 of his team’s 13 game titles, he nonetheless completed the yr as the main-tackler on the staff with 116 whole stops. He also led the staff with 13.5 tackles-for-decline and was second on the staff with 3 sacks. On October 21st, Coney was named the Bednarik Defensive Player of the Week for his general performance against USC where by he collected 11 tackles, two tackles-for-decline, a single sack, a single compelled fumble, and a single fumble restoration. Right after the postseason, he was named to the All-Bowl Crew.

Prior to his senior year, Coney was named to a range of preseason enjoy lists, which include the Butkus, Bronco Nagurski, and Bednarik Award lists. For the initially time in his vocation, Coney began all 12 game titles for the Irish, main the staff in tackles once more with 107. He added 9.5 tackles-for-decline, 3.5 sacks, with an interception and fumble restoration.

Right after looking at the tape, there are a several features that stand out to me immediately with Coney:

1.) He is taller than 5-foot-11. This is a major as well as.

2.) He excels at sifting by garbage to obtain ball-carriers before they get a opportunity to break into the second amount.

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3.) He is incredibly good in zone/quick spot protection. His ability to adhere his foot in the floor and drive on restricted finishes and functioning backs in excess of the center of the discipline was prevalent from the commence.

One of his most effective game titles from 2018 was against Stanford and their Mackey Award finalist restricted finish, Kaden Smith. He was all in excess of Smith from commence to finish, breaking up quite a few passes when the Cardinal regularly ran the Adhere route principle against the Irish. Late in the fourth quarter, Coney sealed the acquire for the Irish immediately after intercepting a late pass from Stanford quarterback KJ Costello on the exact same play he continuously built all recreation extended.

Excellent information for the Bolts, if the staff decides to go offensive and defensive line in the initially two rounds, there is a good opportunity Coney will nonetheless be accessible later on day two and quite possibly be a single of the most current draft diamonds uncovered by GM Tom Telesco and organization.