Question #7 What will be the ultimate identity of the Notre Dame offensive unit in 2015?

On January 16th UND.com posted an article "20 Questions for Notre Dame Football for 2015".  This is question 7.

7. The look and emphasis of the Notre Dame offense often have varied from week to week, depending on whether the Irish coaches believe heavier doses of throws or runs can be most effective against that week’s opponent. There’s plenty of raw material for the Irish to be more than competent in both areas by next fall. What will be the ultimate identity of the Notre Dame offensive unit in 2015? 

Answer;

The ideal identity would be a balanced one.  On paper position by position the offense has the personnel to be balanced.  The variations between run and throw should come between plays and series not game by game.  Let the defenses react to what the Irish offense is doing us not the other way around.

Mike Sanford

Ultimately it will first depend on the play of the quarterback then a very close second the play of the offensive line.  With Mike Sanford reportedly coming to South Bend from Boise State excitment should be on the menu.



For the passing game I have faith that the receiver corps will run good routes and have sure hands.  The questions will be will the line give the quarterback (notice we are not naming one) enough protection and will he then make the right choices.  As for the running game I have faith in the abilities of Brant and Folston, however if there is no passing game the running game will be easier to defend and of course the offensive line needs to be successful for the running game to be successful.



Harry Hiestand

Worst case, the offensive line can't get their act together and or the line coach Harry Hiestand can't  get the right combination along the line and a rhythm cannot get going in neither the running or passing game.

Question #6

On January 16th UND.com posted an article "20 Questions for Notre Dame Football for 2015".  This is question 6.

6. Kyle Brindza leaves as the Notre Dame career leader in field goals (57) and he was no slouch as a punter the last two seasons either. Tyler Newsome will be the lone scholarship player for those spots during spring drills. So, what’s the future of the Irish special teams when it comes to punts, field goals and PATs?

Answer;

Justin Yoon #3

After signing day the answer is much more clear; Justin Yoon.  Yoon is the #1 rated kicker coming out of high school.  There is no question about his leg strength or his accuracy, check out this video, the question will be about his mental toughness under the pressure of the college kicking game.  This sounds similar to exiting kicker Kyle Brindza. 

Tyler Newsome

As much confidence I have that Yoon is not only the future (and current answer) for kickoffs, field goals and PAT's I believe that Tyler Newsome, who is also on scholarship is the answer for punting in South Bend.  Newsome came to Notre Dame at the #4 rated punter coming out of high school.

With two young kickers with potential the future of the kicking game is bright.

Question #5

On January 16th UND.com posted an article "20 Questions for Notre Dame Football for 2015".  This is question 5.

5. Anthony Fasano, John Carlson, Kyle Rudolph, Tyler Eifert and Troy Niklas—all those recent Irish tight ends now draw paychecks in the National Football League. Ben Koyack, who graduates this spring, should add his name to that list. That leaves a combination of Durham Smythe and Tyler Luatua, plus untested Mike Heuerman and Nic Weishar. Can a less-experienced-than-usual list of tight end candidates fill the bill for the Irish in 2015? 

Answer; For the first time in a while the Irish will not have a clear number one at tight end coming into the fall.  That’s not to say there is a lack of talent or there won’t be one when September comes it is more an issue of a lack of experience. 

Mike Heuerman

Mike Heuerman is Notre Dame’s elder statesman at tight end heading into his junior season without playing a meaningful snap after redshirting his freshman season and out with an injury during his sophomore year.  Heuerman came to South Bend at the #8 ranked tight end by Rivals.com and the #10 ranked tight end by Scout.com.  Heuerman is not the most experienced or even arguably the best of the current tight ends. 

Durham Smythe

After redshirting his freshman year sophomore Durham Smythe had 1 reception for 7 yards last season (against Arizona State) making him the only tight end with a college reception for the Irish on next year’s roster.  The Irish also had two freshmen in 2014 that gained experience in Nic Weishar and Tyler Luatua.  While both received praise from the coaching staff neither established themselves as the guaranteed starter for the future in South Bend.  Lautua seems a bit undersized at 6’ 2 ½ “ and 260lbs but did come to Notre Dame as the #38 player in the nation (regardless of position) by Tom Lemming/CBS Sports and #107 by ESPN.  At 6’ 4” and 237lbs Weishar came to the Irish at the #7 nationally ranked tight end by Rivals.com. Walk on sophomore Ben Suttman (6’ 2’, 228lbs) was also on the roster last season.