The best 2019 NFL Draft prospect on every College Football Playoff team
By Joel Deering
3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Best 2019 NFL Draft prospect: LB Te’von Coney
2018 Stats: 107 total tackles, nine tackles for loss and three and a half sacks
Analysis: Despite being undefeated this season, Notre Dame seems to be an underrated College Football Playoff team. One reason for that may be because their offense isn’t as exciting as the likes of Alabama, Clemson and Oklahoma. All three of those teams have offense’s ranked in the top five in points per game. Notre Dame’s offense ranks 34th.
Although the offense for Notre Dame may not be as exciting to watch, the defense is. Notre Dame has a defense who ranks ninth in the country. They allow an average of 17.3 points per game. This defense flies around the field every play, and it’s all led by LB Te’von Coney.
Through 12 games this season, Coney has totaled 107 tackles, which easily ranks first on the Notre Dame defense. In addition to his 107 tackles, Coney has tallied nine tackles for loss and three and a half sacks this season.
This isn’t the first season in which Coney has put up big numbers. Last season, Coney totaled 116 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. At 6’1″ and 240 LBS, Coney is a linebacker with size NFL teams are looking for. His frame allows him to really get in there and stop the run, which is his best attribute.
Coney has a decent chance at being a first-round pick in the draft, but he likely won’t be selected until later in the first, as his cover ability in passing situations isn’t one of his strengths. Coney is decent against the pass, but he doesn’t have the ability you want from an every down linebacker.
Overall, Te’von Coney is a solid linebacker who can make plays. He’s been doing it consistently for Notre Dame and should be able to help a team at the next level. If the third ranked College Football Playoff team is going to beat Clemson, Te’von Coney is going to be a big reason why.