The Most Important... Freshmen

Traditionally college teams rely on the experience and proven game action of upper classmen.  Most freshmen get redshirted while serving on scout team.  This gives young players the opportunity to learn the game at eh college level while saving a year of eligibility.  This year for numerous reasons; graduations, potential team dismissals, schemes and injury Brian Kelly has made it clear that a lot of players will see the field during games this season.

This class had two early enrollees in wide receiver Justin Brent and defensive lineman Andrew Trumbetti.  Brent has the physical traits to have an impact early in his career and it will be tough to keep him off of the field this year however there is enough depth (maybe not experience) at the receiver position that Justin is not necessarily needed for the offense to be successful.

This class as most coning into South Bend is loaded with potential.  There are several freshmen who have the potential to play this year whether it be because of skill and or size, even if it is in mop up duty but are probably going to redshirt because there is more than enough talent ahead of them on the depth chart.  The following freshmen could see action but won't see action (or hopefully wont to save a year of eligibility)  this season include; Jimmy Byrne, Alex Bars, Sam Mustipher and Quenton Nelson.  It is no coincidence that these are all offensive linemen,  Kelly and Offensive Line Coach Harry  Hiestand have for the past several years have done a great job recruiting.

Just as the Irish have plenty of talent, experience and depth on the offensive line the opposite may be true for the defensive side f the ball.  Kelly and crew have talked about rotating players in and out since spring and that message has only amplified throughout camp this summer.  I expect the following players to see the field this fall and contribute at some level; Jhonny Williams, Daniel Cage, and Greer Martini.

With all of that being said the most important freshman will be Andrew Tumbetti and Nyles Morgan.  Kelly has already said that Turmbetti will be a starter.  That is a huge responsibility for any player especially for a true freshman.  Since he is a freshman many have not seen him in action.  If you have not seen his high school highlights check it out.  With so many questions at linebacker it will most likely be necessary for Morgan to play early and often.

This may not be the best freshmen class Notre Dame has ever had but it may be one of the most important and one with the highest participation.

The most important... Sophomores

With 33 sophomores on the rosters second year players are the biggest group on the team.  Many of them did not see any game action during their freshman year meaning they have saved a year of eligibility while learning the college game.  With Brian Kelly saying that a lot of players will see the field this season depth will be important and that means a considerable number of sophomores will probably see the field.

An argument and an easy one at that could be made that the best player on the this years team will come from the sophomore class.  With the proven talents of Jaylon Smith,  Tarean Folston, Steve Elmer and Corey Robinson coming into their second seasons anyone of them could continue on their upward trajectory and not only be a leader on this team but the most valuable player.  This season players with huge potential and high expectations including Greg Bryant, Max Redfield, and even Malik Zaire will have the opportunity to showcase their ability during their sophomore year.

Isaac Rochell

Because of the need for quality depth and or the need for the next man in due to injury or poor performance is will be important for some players to step up and contribute earlier than expected and at potentially critical times. 

Isaac Rochell saw some game action during his first season for the Irish and played well especially for a freshman.  It is very important that he be able to play at a higher level and for more snaps this year.  Rochell has good size, speed and technique but Defensive Coordinator Brian VanGorder will need him to go from good to great.

Durham Smythe

Durham Smythe has had the coaches raving about him since he has arrived.  It is important for Smythe to have a solid year as the number two tight end behind Ben Koyack, but in may be even more important for Durham to become the next great tight end at Notre Dame.  After this season he would be the most experienced tight end on the roster.

What this investigation really means.

Usually when you try to put things into perspective you highlight the positive or at least try to see how a situation may not be so bad.  However the recent academic and honor code issues have left Irish fans a bit unsettled to say the least.  Over the past several years the Notre Dame Football program has seen more than its fair share of improprieties as it pertains to its players.  Some people may say these issues are not a big deal in the landscape of college sports compared to other programs and players who have had matters that have arisen into criminal charges.  We know that Notre Dame is not like other programs and our student athletes are (or at least should not be) like other players.

These have been Notre Dame issues not football issues, meaning the college deals with students who happen to be on the football team.  Notre Dame has always been seen as a elite level institution of higher learning.  The Golden Dome has been tarnished in the past to be sure, maybe it is the timing but the question is being raised about the level or "type" of players the Irish are bringing to South Bend.  To recap; Everett Golson, Tommy Rees, Caro Calabrese, Davris Daniels, and now Keivarae Russell, Kendall Moore, Ishaq Williams and again Davaris Daniels.

There is little doubt that this could hurt the Irish in terms of football; possible vacating of previous wins, loss of talented players which could lead to loss of games and potential NCAA penalties.  The higher you are the greater you will fall and that is true even in South Bend.  Speaking to alumni who were not Notre Dame Football players they want the University to hold everyone accountable, to have high standards and although this may be embarrassing it must be addressed.  It is more disturbing to have the reputation of the school than to have a subpar football team.  Unfortunately at Notre Dame they have been able to have both in the past.   

What's the worst case scenario?  The internal investigation ends in the dismissal of all four students from not only the football program but from the university itself.  The 2012 undefeated season is no longer undefeated as wins from 2012 and 2013 are forfeited.  Notre Dame's reputation is permanently stained hurting future recruitment.

From a football perspective; it is The Next Man In.  Overall the Irish have as much potential and depth as they have inexperience.  It is not so much the potential loss of talent and experience here (exception of Keivarae Russell) but the thinning of the depth chart and with Kelly saying there will be a lot of players seeing the field depending on situation and scheme it is all hands on deck.  It also could be a huge distraction for the players on and off the field.

There is little doubt listening to Brian Kelly he is frustrated.  Some may point to Kelly for blame but I am not one of those people.  Kelly is accountable since these are his kids, he recruited them and it is happening under his watch.  Kelly does not hide from controversy but he does need to fix it.

I understand that we are talking about 18-21 year olds but they need to understand that they are not only under a microscope but tut they are also expected to be held to a higher level, although doing your own work is not being held to a higher level.  It is at the very least disappointing, it should be and is embarrassing and needs to be fixed not to ensure wins on the field of play but to ensure wins in life for those going to Notre Dame.

The most important... Junior

With 16 players listed as juniors on the Notre Dame roster only 5th year seniors have less players representing their class.  This class has what most would call untapped potential, many of them cutting their teeth on the scout teams and or playing behind upperclassmen.  Several juniors should have the opportunity to step up and show what they can offer the Irish this year including safeties Elijah Shumate and Nicky Baratti, and wide receiver James Onwualu. 

Juniors Sheldon Day and KeiVarae Russell are proven commodities for the Irish defense but it is still incredibly important  for them to continue to improve and play major leadership roles for Brian VanGorder.

With all of that being said Jarron Jones play maybe the most important on the defensive side of the ball this season at the very least it is the most important on the defensive line.  There is little doubt that Notre Dame has a lot of young talent coming in with a ton of potential; Grant Blankenship, Jonathan Bonner, Daniel Cage, Jay Hayes, Ryan Kilander, Peter Mokwuah, Andrew Trumbetti, and Jhonny Williams  but the Irish cannot rely on true freshmen to carry the load.

After redshirting his freshman year it looked as if Jones may spend is sophomore season on the bench behind established stars like Nix and Tuitt.  However Jarron stepped up and made the most of his opportunity when the defensive line was hit with injuries in 2013.  Jones will have to stay healthy and use his 6' 6" 315lb+ frame to hold the middle of the line.  With this being his third year in South Bend Jones has the opportunity to live up to all the potential and more everyone thought he had.

The most important...Seniors

Today we will look at which Seniors are most important for a successful Irish season.  Experience, leadership and game action are all reasons why in general seniors are important to a college football program.  At Notre Dame seniors always have seemed to step up and rise to the occasion.  Most recently I think of

Everett Golson may be the most important player on Notre Dame's roster heading into the 2014 season.  We are not saying he is the best but in a offense who has to score more points this season he is the key piece of the puzzle.  In addition to being the biggies piece of the puzzle he is also the teams biggest question mark.  Even though Malik Zaire has looked good on the scout team and in the Spring Blue and Gold Game and true freshman DeShone Kizer has a lot of potential Golson is the ONLY scholarship quarterback to ever take a college game snap.  As goes Golson as goes the Irish.

Honorable Mentions:

Ben Koyack came to Tight End U very highly touted including being named the best tight end in the country by Scout.com.  Like the quarterback position Koyack is the only tight end to take a snap in a college game.

Ishaq Williams is not necessarily one of the most important seniors this season but his senior season is one of the most for him.  Much like Koyack Williams came to South Bend with multiple stars next to his recruiting profile but has not yet lived up to his hype. 

The senior class as a whole may be the most important class overall as they will need to not only provide leadership but results.

The most important... 5th Year Seniors

We will spend some time looking at the most import players for the Irish this season.  These will not necessarily be the best players but players Notre Dame needs to step up to be successful on the field this season.  We will go class by class starting with the Graduate students.

In general 5th year seniors should be important for many reasons.  Coaches love having their leadership skills in and off the field especially in the locker room.  It is as close as college programs get to an option year so when a player gets invited back for a 5th year it is for a reason.

Offensive lineman Christian Lombard and transfer cornerback Cody Riggs may be the best of the fifth year players and will most likely see the field the  most they are not the most important.  Both the defensive backfield and the offensive line have solid depth and good experience.

Justin Utupo

Justin Utupo has participated in 36 games during is career primarily on special teams and as a reserve.  Last season with injuries plaguing the defensive line Utupo saw more time and was thrust into a more action based on need.  With  Louis Nix and Stephon Tuitt leaving for the NFL and Tony Springmann having to end his football career because of injury depth along the D-line is fair at best and Kelly's next man in philosophy will be put to the test this year. 

Kendall Moore

Kendall Moore was the Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year as a freshman.  Since then he has been lost in the depth chart at linebacker.  Much like Utupo the defensive side of the ball needs Moore to step up and contribute adding leadership, experience and depth.  At 6' 1" and over 250lbs Moore has put his hand on the ground and played some defensive end last season and may need to do that again this year.

Both Utupo and Moore may not need to start this season to be the most important 5th year seniors but they do need to contribute.  Whether its taking regular reps during games or stepping in if there is an injury without their presence the Irish defense could be in a lot of trouble.

 

Brian Kelly Pre-Camp Press Conference Highlights

If you could not catch the entire 55 minute Brian Kelly press conference with week here are the highlights as seen be Talking Irish.

Brian Kelly feels that they had a good offseason as it pertains to strength and conditioning.  Thank you Paul Longo.

Kelly gave his standard answer as it relates to leader, that they will emerge naturally.

ON Jarrett Grace.  It's a wait and see process but he is ahead of what they had thought he would be.

Mike Heuerman had another hernia, as had surgery and will be out about a month.

Tony Springmann has suffered a setback and will not be able to play football because of a back injury not from the knee injury.  He will stay with the program as a mentor and a leader and will go to camp with the team.

Nick Martin and Ben Counsel are back fully from respective knee injuries.

First question asked about nose tackle depth behind Jarron Jones, Brian said the is depth with size, however it is young depth.

On Nile Sykes' departure.  he's a good kid it just wasn't a fit.   Kelly gave him a great recommendation.

On incoming freshman who may have an early impact Kelly mentioned Nick Watkins, Niles Morgan, Jhonny Williams, Jonathan Bonner by name saying they had the physical traits to compete.  He did note that they have not even have had on pads yet.

Kelly is not ready to name a starting quarterback.

On Davaris Daniels after missing the spring; he's a stronger football player, more mature with some leadership.  He wants to see it every day.

Everett Golson knows the playbook, he now needs to know the why.  Why are we running something and what's next.

Along with Grace Ben Councell is big piece at linebacker.

Kelly likes Malik Zaire's progression.

This is the first time the Irish don't have two scripts for two quarterbacks because of the similarity of Zaire and Golson.

Defensive Back transfer Riggs fits in well and is a "Notre Dame Man".  "He's a great add to our football team" - Brian Kelly

In the Offensive line; getting Chris Lombard back is huge, Nick Martin is healthy and with Stanley and Elmer that is four starters returning ,  Now we have to find the fifth.  There are plenty of talent for that fifth spot.

What are priorities?   Finding continuity and production on the offensive side of the ball; new and young wide receivers and a new quarterback.  Defensively; its dealing with young players and a new coordinator.

What has to happen to be an "Elite" team?  Need to be part of the national conversation.  With the new structure that means getting into the playoffs.  4 spots for 128 teams.

Kelly expects to see more players play on the defensive side of the ball depending on their abilities and the situation using each players strengths.

When questioned about Jonathan Bonner he sounded like he was talking about Troy Niklas as a physical specimen.

As far as the schedule goes Kelly is happy with two bye and it is important to get off to a good start.

Kelly mentioned (briefly) that he was impressed with freshman quarterback DeShone Kizer OTA workouts.

Kelly highlighted Nick Martin as a leader of the offensive line, crediting his brother Zack for passing that along.

It is time for Ishaq Williams to play, his attitude is good.

Kelly agrees the Irish need to score more points this year.

Beyond Ben Koyack Kelly has great confidence Durham Smyth and Tyler Luatua.

Kelly feels good about the wide receiver position and feels consistence between the quarterback group and the wide receiver group will me key to success.