Hold That Line!

Starting sophomore defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore prides himself on being “a lunch-pail player.” Apparently, he’s also not missing any lunches — or breakfasts, dinners and snacks for that matter. A 230-pound end as a high school senior, the robust Lewis-Moore, whose growth and frame remind one of Justin Tuck’s evolution at Notre Dame earlier this decade, seemed almost apologetic when he weighed in at 278 this Tuesday.

“I really don’t know what’s happening with my body,” Lewis-Moore said. “I’m just gaining this weight uncontrollably. It was water weight, but … I feel good about my body, and I feel a lot stronger.

Lewis-Moore reported this week that he's up to 278 pounds.

“I did three sports year-round in high school, football, basketball, track, so I never had time to be in the weight room. I knew that once I got to the college level I was going to get big — but I didn’t think I would get this big this quick.”

Is he attempting to grow into a tackle?

“I’m not getting any heavier than 280,” Lewis-Moore laughed. “I’m stopping.”

Lewis-Moore is part of a five-man defensive line harvest from 2008 that finally ended a long recruiting drought for Notre Dame in that specific area. The Irish repeatedly came up short along the front from 2004-07, and it manifested itself the past couple of years when they were often overwhelmed along the line of scrimmage.

Despite a magnificent effort from fifth-year senior end and second-round NFL pick Trevor Laws, the Irish finished 96th in the country against the run during the 3-9 campaign in 2007, surrendering 195.42 yards per game (the third most given up in school history).

Last year it improved to 45th (134.15), but the defense often conked out late, especially against premier runners Javon Ringer (Michigan State) and LeSean McCoy (Pitt), as well as versus Syracuse’s Antwon Bailey.

Help was on the way in 2008 when the Irish inked five prospects, Lewis-Moore, Ethan Johnson, Hafis Williams, Sean Cwynar and Brandon Newman, but most weren’t physically primed yet for major college action.

Defensive tackle Johnson has star potential after becoming a regular last season and recording 18 tackles, five for lost yardage (including 3.5 sacks), and starting next to him now is Lewis-Moore. Williams, who recently was cleared for practice following some health questions, is expected to be in the rotation at tackle after a strong spring, and Cwynar and Newman both took more reps in Thursday’s practice while junior tackle Ian Williams sat out with what is believed to be a minor knee injury.

Ian Williams was singled out by head coach Charlie Weis as one of several “X factor” figures this year, and first-year defensive line coach Randy Hart applied some extra pressure and sense of urgency on him this spring after a sophomore campaign that didn’t match the production from his freshman year.

“I’m not disappointed at all in his actions this spring, but he’s got to step up, otherwise he’s going to be sitting,” Hart said this spring. “He’s a guy who has to come along because he has the experience. You don’t want to waste that. He better come back as a third-year player and be the best you’ve got.”

The message resonated with Williams, who arrived early for summer school on June 1 (most of the team arrived three weeks later), took a Spanish course during that time, and emphasized improving his stamina while continuing to build his advanced strength. One of Florida’s top power lifters during his high school days, when he hand cleaned 335 pounds, Williams hoisted a remarkable 400 pounds with the clean this August.

“I didn’t think I could do it, but I surprised myself,” said Williams, although he acknowledged he received some aid. “I was able to use straps this time. They taught me how to use the straps and so I got a better pull.”

Taking the challenge from Hart, Williams also improved his endurance and recognized how it was time to take on the leadership role via his actions.

“I wouldn’t say I just blew it off, but I kind of went through the motions,” said Williams of his earlier conditioning work. “I noticed a big difference (in my endurance). Just going through drills and workouts, it seemed a lot easier.”

“He accepted any challenge that Coach Weis or anybody gave him,” Hart noted. “I think he’s come prepared to play.”

Another move to aid the run defense is the shift of sophomore Darius Fleming to Sam linebacker, the role current free safety Harrison Smith had last year. Although Smith proved himself as a playmaker, he was sometimes undersized (in the 210-pound range) against power running teams such as Michigan State, Boston College or Pitt, among others. At approximately 236 pounds, Fleming provides a more physical presence to complement his athletic ability that made him a coveted prospect two years ago.

“Coach moved me there because I’m a bigger guy,” Fleming said. “Right now I’m just trying to gather the big picture of everything. The biggest adjustment is learning the coverages and things like that. I’m getting settled in.”

Although fifth-year senior Scott Smith and sophomore Steve Filer also are vying for playing time at Sam, Fleming is the front-runner after seeing more and more extended duty as a hybrid end/outside linebacker last season. His 198 special teams appearances last year were the second most on the team (behind graduated linebacker Steve Quinn’s 239), and his 24 tackles (with 2.5 sacks) were second to cornerback Robert Blanton’s 33 for the most among the freshmen.

“That definitely helped me in the physical part of the game, going against 330 pounders,” said Fleming of his role as a pass-rushing defensive end last year. “It’s 260 pounders now (at Sam), and that’s a big difference. It’s a big difference when you’re going in the A Gap compared to playing outside on the tight end. I can be a lot more physical with these guys.”

Fleming will likely continue to have a multi-dimensional role, potentially playing at end in the nickel defense while lining up at Sam in the base package.

“I would consider myself a hybrid because I still might rush off the edge and I’m still going to be a backer,” he said.

Plenty of competition awaits everywhere along the defensive line, but Hart says people won’t be inserted just for the sake of playing.

“It’s about productivity,” Hart said. “Who’s playing with the hot hand? Who’s getting the job done?”