Looking at all the talented freshmen this year, the next three and a half years look pretty good. With next year’s incoming class of those who have given a verbal commitment, it gets even better, but since signing day isn’t until February, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. However, if you add on the talent of some of the sophomores that saved year of eligibility by not playing their freshman year, things begin to look great.
There are some impressive linemen that were put on hold. At 6’5” 280+lbs., Bruce Heggie has a nice frame for a center (although another 20 lbs. could be used). This is a new position for Heggie, who came to South Bed as a defensive end. As a two way player in high school he played tight end. I’m not sure we will ever see a lot of Heggie in games but he is a solid football player. As a freshman Christian Lombard was mentored my Zack Martin and Taylor Dever while working on strength and conditioning, and at 6’5” and over 300 lbs. the potential is there. Tate Nicholas is a mountain at 6’8” 320 lbs., but we will need to wait another year due to injury and surgery have sidelines Nicholas this year.
Andrew Hendrix has been a question mark since he got to South Bend, not whether or not he was good enough but how to get him on the field. As a freshman he was in with Tommy Rees and Luke Massa, both of whom were behind Dayne Christ on the depth chart. This year didn’t make things any clearer. Andrew was noted for having a very strong arm and being a good runner, and by throwing freshman Everett Golson into the mix the waters only got murkier. I had a fear that Hendrix may be looking to transfer if he did not get a legitimate chance to show what he can do. A lot of that was put to rest against Air Force where Andrew went 4 for 4 in the air and had over 100 yards on the ground. I look forward to having Kelly and his staff develop packages for Hendrix not only this season but for the next three as well. Oh yeah, he’s also pre-med at Notre Dame which qualifies him as wicked smart.
Luke Massa came to South Bend as a quarterback but was moved due to the log jam at wide receiver. At 6’4” 220 lbs., he has the size to be a big target and from what I recall his athleticism will also be a plus in this new role.
Tight End Alex Welch was forced onto the field a little sooner and more often than may have been originally thought due to injuries at his position. He will continue to gain game time and will contribute in the future.
The most anticipated sophomore who was redshirted last year was Notre Dame’s biggest player, Louis Nix III. Nix was highly touted coming out of high school as a strong and super big lineman, but when he got to South Bend, he was a physical work in progress. Nix took his first year at South Bend to focus on conditioning and strength training, and I would say that year of development is paying off. If his progression and growth continues at this pace, in two years opposing centers may choose not to play.
Choosing which players to sit and develop through strength training, conditioning and learning from the sidelines and the practice squad and which to thrust into action may be one of the toughest head coaches need to make - not only for the player but the program as a whole. Four years (of eligibility) go by quickly and when they are up there are no second chances unless you can talk the NCAA into giving you another year for injury.
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