The most important... 5th Year Seniors

We will spend some time looking at the most import players for the Irish this season.  These will not necessarily be the best players but players Notre Dame needs to step up to be successful on the field this season.  We will go class by class starting with the Graduate students.

In general 5th year seniors should be important for many reasons.  Coaches love having their leadership skills in and off the field especially in the locker room.  It is as close as college programs get to an option year so when a player gets invited back for a 5th year it is for a reason.

Offensive lineman Christian Lombard and transfer cornerback Cody Riggs may be the best of the fifth year players and will most likely see the field the  most they are not the most important.  Both the defensive backfield and the offensive line have solid depth and good experience.

Justin Utupo

Justin Utupo has participated in 36 games during is career primarily on special teams and as a reserve.  Last season with injuries plaguing the defensive line Utupo saw more time and was thrust into a more action based on need.  With  Louis Nix and Stephon Tuitt leaving for the NFL and Tony Springmann having to end his football career because of injury depth along the D-line is fair at best and Kelly's next man in philosophy will be put to the test this year. 

Kendall Moore

Kendall Moore was the Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year as a freshman.  Since then he has been lost in the depth chart at linebacker.  Much like Utupo the defensive side of the ball needs Moore to step up and contribute adding leadership, experience and depth.  At 6' 1" and over 250lbs Moore has put his hand on the ground and played some defensive end last season and may need to do that again this year.

Both Utupo and Moore may not need to start this season to be the most important 5th year seniors but they do need to contribute.  Whether its taking regular reps during games or stepping in if there is an injury without their presence the Irish defense could be in a lot of trouble.

 

Brian Kelly Pre-Camp Press Conference Highlights

If you could not catch the entire 55 minute Brian Kelly press conference with week here are the highlights as seen be Talking Irish.

Brian Kelly feels that they had a good offseason as it pertains to strength and conditioning.  Thank you Paul Longo.

Kelly gave his standard answer as it relates to leader, that they will emerge naturally.

ON Jarrett Grace.  It's a wait and see process but he is ahead of what they had thought he would be.

Mike Heuerman had another hernia, as had surgery and will be out about a month.

Tony Springmann has suffered a setback and will not be able to play football because of a back injury not from the knee injury.  He will stay with the program as a mentor and a leader and will go to camp with the team.

Nick Martin and Ben Counsel are back fully from respective knee injuries.

First question asked about nose tackle depth behind Jarron Jones, Brian said the is depth with size, however it is young depth.

On Nile Sykes' departure.  he's a good kid it just wasn't a fit.   Kelly gave him a great recommendation.

On incoming freshman who may have an early impact Kelly mentioned Nick Watkins, Niles Morgan, Jhonny Williams, Jonathan Bonner by name saying they had the physical traits to compete.  He did note that they have not even have had on pads yet.

Kelly is not ready to name a starting quarterback.

On Davaris Daniels after missing the spring; he's a stronger football player, more mature with some leadership.  He wants to see it every day.

Everett Golson knows the playbook, he now needs to know the why.  Why are we running something and what's next.

Along with Grace Ben Councell is big piece at linebacker.

Kelly likes Malik Zaire's progression.

This is the first time the Irish don't have two scripts for two quarterbacks because of the similarity of Zaire and Golson.

Defensive Back transfer Riggs fits in well and is a "Notre Dame Man".  "He's a great add to our football team" - Brian Kelly

In the Offensive line; getting Chris Lombard back is huge, Nick Martin is healthy and with Stanley and Elmer that is four starters returning ,  Now we have to find the fifth.  There are plenty of talent for that fifth spot.

What are priorities?   Finding continuity and production on the offensive side of the ball; new and young wide receivers and a new quarterback.  Defensively; its dealing with young players and a new coordinator.

What has to happen to be an "Elite" team?  Need to be part of the national conversation.  With the new structure that means getting into the playoffs.  4 spots for 128 teams.

Kelly expects to see more players play on the defensive side of the ball depending on their abilities and the situation using each players strengths.

When questioned about Jonathan Bonner he sounded like he was talking about Troy Niklas as a physical specimen.

As far as the schedule goes Kelly is happy with two bye and it is important to get off to a good start.

Kelly mentioned (briefly) that he was impressed with freshman quarterback DeShone Kizer OTA workouts.

Kelly highlighted Nick Martin as a leader of the offensive line, crediting his brother Zack for passing that along.

It is time for Ishaq Williams to play, his attitude is good.

Kelly agrees the Irish need to score more points this year.

Beyond Ben Koyack Kelly has great confidence Durham Smyth and Tyler Luatua.

Kelly feels good about the wide receiver position and feels consistence between the quarterback group and the wide receiver group will me key to success.