The Blue Gold overall impressions.

C.J. Prosise

C.J. Prosise is a VERY important player of the Irish heading into the fall.  After Folston and Bryant there was very little at running back with the exception of an incoming freshman and a couple of walk-ons.  Prosise may not be an experienced commodity at running back but he has proven himself to be an athletic football player on both sides of the ball during his time in South Bend.  A solid third running back option is very important in case of the first two (and until the spring the only two) options is unproductive or injured.  Prosise looked more than up to the task and should not only serve as a solid reserve but should work into the regular rotation as the number three or in specific packages.

Durham Smythe  seemed to solidify his position as the number one tight end.  He may have not had a huge game numbers wise but he ran clean routes and made good catches. 

I am one of those who, as much as I like Malik Zaire, feels that Golson is still the starting quarterback for the Irish.  Now that may change come fall but heading into the spring game it was still Golson's job.  Zaire however did close that cap in my eyes, not so much with his passing game but with his confidence and especially his ability to run the ball.  Zaire has a long way to go in his passing game but the Irish should have enough talent on offense to make his job easier.  Golson was good, not great.  good enough to hold onto the number one spot through the summer.

The offensive line, for the most part, did what expected of them.  There were a few penalties that will need to be tightened up before the season but overall the looked as good as promote. 



Justin Brent

The receivers will be as good as the quarterbacks ability to get them the ball.  There is depth, talent and quickness, the only real question is wall will the ball distribution look like.  With the likes of Fuller, who looked as good (better) as any receiver on the field and Cory Robinson along with up and comers Corey Homes, Chris Brown and Justin Brent look for opposing defenses to be spread out to cover all areas of the field.  And let's not forget about slot receivers; Amir Carlisle and Torii Hunter Jr.

The defensive line starts with Sheldon Day who came back for his senior year.  Day's best work was displayed early on in his colligate career with injuries nagging him later on.  However the main story of the spring on defense has been early enrollee  Jerry Tillery.  Tillery played well (fantastic for a kid who is still supposed to be in high school) and gave us a glimpse into the future of his potential.  He is very big and strong and realizing that he has not even been exposed to Paul Longo yet it is a little scary of what this kid could develop into.  Injuries to Joe Schmidt and Jarron Jones kept them of the field for the Blue Gold but they are expected back in time for the summer. 

The return of Jarrett Grace proved to be important in terms of experience and mature leadership in the middle  at linebacker.  Grace has to work to continue to knock the rust off but with him, Schmidt, Morgan and All American Jaylon Smith the linebacker position seems secure.

The defensive backfield is expected to be a strength of this Irish team, something it has not been for a number of years.  Max Redfield look as comfortable and confident on the field as I have seen him since he arrived in South Bend.  Cole Luke will be a leader and I give him credit for taking on Ronnie Staley making an open field tackle on the big man right before the end of the first half.



With no kick offs and only fair catch punt returns one of Notre Dames biggest problems over the past two years was not addressed during the scrimmage.  Since it really could only get better and having some athletic talent as his disposal Brian Kelly should have better results in the kick return game this season.



DeShone Kizer

Giving the holding responsibilities to redshirt freshman quarterback DeShone Kizer will at least give him something to do while Golson and Zaire battle it out.  With all the problems the Irish has last year with holding for kicks Kizer looked like a very good option.  ITs not often a player is applauded for his holding skills in the scrimmage but last year's problems proved how important that role can be.

Tyler Newsome handled all the kicking responsibilities during the Blur and Gold, however Kelly has already said incoming freshman Justin Yoon will take of the place-kicking duties when he arrives on campus this summer.  Newsome did fine with place-kick however his punts left much to be desired, too short on open kicks and too long when he needed to drop them in before the end zone.

Overall I would have to consider the Annual Blue Gold Game a success; no injuries and with the exceptions of a few miscues the players performed well.  No one played incredibly well, not that anyone usually has a break out performance that carries over to the regular season anyway.