32 days until Notre Dame football: The efficacy of the Aztec position

BlueandGold.com will release a countdown article highlighting a significant Notre Dame football statistic every day until the 2024 season opener at Texas A&M at 7:30 p.m. ET on Aug. 31 in College Station, Texas. Today, there are 32 days until the Irish and Aggies kick off at Kyle Field.

Last season, a major fall camp storyline was the advent of Notre Dame’s “Spear” personnel package. It’s 3-2 -6 look, with the sixth defensive back being called the “Aztec.”

“It’s the ability to get another DB on the field in certain passing situations,” Irish head coach Marcus Freeman said at the time. “I’m sure we’ve given it some creative name, but all you’re doing is adding a DB and taking out either a d-lineman or a linebacker.”

Most of the time, the Irish chose to leave their linebackers on the field for pass-rush versatility. Defensive tackle Rylie Mills would come off and a defensive back, typically safety Ramon Henderson or cornerback Clarence Lewis , would come on.

According to Sports Info Solutions, the Irish used Spear personnel 122 times in 2024. Notre Dame’s opponents threw 95 pass attempts against dime packages, which ranked fifteenth among all FBS teams.

Seventeen of those snaps were run plays, only two of which resulted in first downs. Here are some of Notre Dame’s numbers against the pass when it used 3-2-6 looks.

• Dropbacks: 105
• Completion percentage: 54.7 (52-of-95)
• Yards: 580 (6.1 Y/A)
• Passer rating: 59.1
• Touchdowns: 1
• Interceptions: 4
• Pass deflections: 11
• Sacks: 10.0
• Total pressures: 52

That last number stands out the most. Despite removing a defensive lineman from the field, the Irish pressured opposing quarterbacks on 49.5 percent of pass snaps when they went into 3-2-6 personnel.

For reference, Notre Dame’s pressure rate in any personnel package was 43.3. That ranked fourth in the country, behind only Penn State, UCLA and Michigan. Granted, it’s easier to generate pressure on passing downs when the defensive line can pin their ears back and get after the signal-caller. But it’s still notable.

Also for reference, the Irish allowed 5.6 yards per pass attempt overall.

This season, Notre Dame has a couple advantages that should make the Spear package just as effective, if not more. Sophomore safety Adon Shuler , who is expected to be the third safety, had a great spring. Graduate student safety Rod Heard III has ample experience as a slot corner, which should give the Irish the ability to play man coverage across the board with two deep safeties if they so choose.

And up front, Notre Dame’s young linebackers all stood out as blitzers throughout spring practice. Defensive coordinator Al Golden has options as he shapes the 2024 defense.

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