What to do with Freshmen

With 28 freshmen on this year’s roster, many won’t see any action and many of them should not.  Why waste a year of eligibility on a handful of reserve or special teams play when you can learn, develop grow and contribute more down the road?   With a solid base of returning starters and good depth in second and third stringers with plenty of game experience, the Irish don’t need a lot of help from freshman.  Making the transition to college life is difficult enough without the added pressure of having to prove yourself on front of millions of fans every Saturday.  There are, however, a few freshmen who could play and contribute this year.

With only Cierre Wood and Jonas Gray having any real playing experience, George Atkinson III will be needed and I believe able to help get Wood and Gray some rest.  Atkinson is talented and physically developed enough to play right away in a support role.

Wide Receiver DaVaris Daniels will probably add some more depth to a receiver corps with a lot of talent but not a lot of experience.  Because of his athleticism, Daniels will probably be able to contribute immediately on special teams.

With a log jam at quarterback, Everett Golson is so physically talented you have to find something for him to do.  I suspect there will be special plays and situations where Brian Kelly will have plans set in place for Golson to provide shock and awe.

At 6’6’ and 265 lbs., Aaron Lynch had been a man among boys and showed why he could start at the Division I level right away at the Blue and Gold game in the spring.   With seniors Ethan Johnson and Kapron Lewis -Moore returning to anchor the defensive line at the ends, Aaron will have no chance of starting for the Irish unless an injury knocks someone out.   Lynch will see solid game action rotating in to keep the attacks from the end fresh.

Because of the lack of depth at running back, Cam McDaniel will probably see the field, rotating with Atkinson so that Wood and Jones can catch some breaks.  Although Cam is not as ready as George Atkinson, he can hold his own.

Another defensive end who is physically ready to play as a freshman is Stephon Tuitt.  At 6’5” and 295 lbs., he could make an impact.  Again, with two proven starters at defensive end, Stephon will most likely rotate in with Aaron Lynch to give the line a rest and fresh legs. 

Outside linebacker Ishaq Williams is another great athlete who has a great physical presence at 6’5” and 255 lbs.  Again, he is not really needed in this area immediately, but will be able to rotate in and keep the defense fresh.

With the exception of being able to relieve starters in a blowout and giving them a little rest during games and the opportunity to gain game experience, I would love to redshirt all freshman this year.  I believe the above players will definitely see the field, contribute and be better for it with my blessing. The following players have the ability to play and may also see action, but will do so without my approval.  

At 6’5” 253 lbs., freshman tight end Ben Koyack  is a perfect physical prototype for that position.   The Irish already have seasoned tight ends and are quickly becoming Tight End U. Let’s save this guy for the future, in case the well dries up. 

Wide receiver Matthias Farley, who could also play as a defensive back, is a gifted athlete who could contribute on special teams, but why waste a year of eligibility on special teams?   Since he did not start playing football until his junior year of high school, a year of football development could take him to the next level.

Troy Niklas (6’6.5” 250 lbs.) was recruited as a tight end but is ideal for defensive end or outside linebacker.  Brian Kelly loves to get great athletes and move them around to get the best match.  Let’s figure out where he belongs first.

On the offensive line, freshmen Matt Hegarty and Conor Hanratty could both serve as backups on a second or third string line, but again, why waste a year of eligibility sitting on the sidelines?