Who to watch - Spring Game

Each spring Irish fans can get a football fix to carry them over until August in the Annual Blue Gold Game.  The fact is the best fans should hope for is no injuries and impressive individual performances.  Overall if the offense looks really good does that mean the defense is in trouble or to the contrary if the defense looks impressive does that mean the offense is bad? 

That is why I like to key in on individual players and look for specific things from each of them.  Here is a list of players I will be paying extra attention to this Saturday afternoon when they take the field for Notre Dame’s annual scrimmage.

Aaron Banks

Aaron Banks I have hear a lot about this incoming freshman and am very interested in seeing if he is as good as advertised.

Ian Brook Pretty much everyone, including myself believe there is little question that Brandon Winbush will be the starting quarterback.  However God forbid something happened to Winbush it is very likely that Brook will assume that role and it is important that he be up to the task.

Chase Claypool After discussions about whether we would see this kid on offense or defense it seems to be settled that he will be a receiver (and special teams).  He is supposedly the most dynamic player on the roster so I want to see if he is ready to settle in at the receiver position and contribute.

Liam Eichenberg and Tommy Kraemer These two redshirt freshman are said to be in a dead heat for the last starting position on the offensive line.  I don’t think who will start at right tackle will be decided  on Saturday but I am excited to see firsthand how each of them do.

Durham Smythe

Durham Smythe  This is Smythe’s last chance to step up and be the main guy at the tight end position.  Being the main guy won’t mean having the most receptions but it will mean taking the most snaps and contributing in an impactful way.

Jerry Tillery For the most part we have seen what Jerry Tillery has been, s decent player however it is now time to see what he can and should be.  As good as he has played at times he has he has underachieved compared to his potential.  We need to see if he is going to move up to elite status for 2017.