Notre Dame opened up spring practice on Wednesday morning inside the indoor Irish Athletic Center to kickoff preparations for the 2023 season. It’s the first chance to see the Irish on the field under new offensive coordinator Gerad Parker with new assistant coaches Joe Rudolph (offensive line), Gino Guidugli (quarterbacks), and Marty Biagi (special teams) starting their careers in South Bend, as well. Here are all of the updates following the March 22nd action.

Cornerbacks coach Mike Mickens has been named the defensive pass game coordinator for this season.

Running backs coach Deland McCullough has been named the run game coordinator.

Former Irish wide receiver Amir Carlisle is the new director of player development, taking over for Hunter Bivin who has moved up to a new role as assistant athletic director for alumni engagement.

Marcus Freeman said the program is not looking for a GM position like other schools but is looking to hire a director of player personnel to replace Dave Peloquin who has moved up to a new role as assistant athletic director for strategic initiatives.

We have some jersey number changes! Receiver Deion Colzie has switched from 16 to 0. Fellow receiver Tobias Merriweather has switched from 15 to 5. Running back Chris Tyree is now 2 after wearing 25. Linebacker Jaylen Sneed is now wearing 3 after being 17 as a freshman. Corner Jaden Mickey has switched from 21 to 7 and safety Xavier Watts has switched from 26 to 0.

Linebacker Will Schweitzer has medically retired due to a congenital heart condition.

Safety Justin Walters and quarterback Ron Powlus III have both medically retired.

Offensive tackle Caleb Johnson, corner Philip Riley, and kicker Josh Bryan are no longer with the program, per Freeman.

After much consternation in certain corners of the internet this winter, nose guard Aiden Keanaaina is still on the roster.

On the injury front, corner Cam Hart and safety/nickel Thomas Harper are participating this spring but both non-contact from shoulder surgeries this off-season.

Officially out for spring with injuries include Adon Shuler (shoulder), Devan Houstan (shoulder), Eli Raridon (knee), and Kevin Bauman (knee).

Jadarian Price is limited for spring coming off an Achilles injury. According to Freeman, the talented redshirt freshman running back will be able to run around a little bit this spring but is still recovering from surgery.

 

Freeman stated former safety commit Brandyn Hillman had his own personal reasons for seeking a transfer and that the program will take a look at adding another grad transfer at this position. Hillman committed to Michigan recently.

All 10 assistant coaches from the 2022 season were approached by other programs and/or the NFL, according to Freeman.

Incoming kicker transfer Spencer Shrader is not enrolled yet but was present at Wednesday’s practice.

Heights and weights on the official roster have not been updated yet.

The offensive linemen didn’t work as a group during the media viewing period but going off the combinations during drills it’s believed Michael Carmody will get the first shot at left guard and Andrew Kristofic at right guard.

Pat Coogan looks to be the backup center.

Trying to deduce the placement of the receivers off drills Deion Colzie, Kaleb Smith, and Braylon James were the “W” receivers, Lorenzo Styles, Tobias Merriweather, and Rico Flores at the “X” position, with Jayden Thomas, Chris Tyree, Jaden Greathouse, and Matt Salerno in the slot.

Although Tyree worked exclusively with the wide receivers during the media portion on Wednesday, Freeman pushed back on the idea that this is a permanent change. He did say they need to find ways to keep Tyree on the field, though.

The first 2 units on the defensive line appeared to be Jordan Botelho (WDE), Howard Cross (NG), Rylie Mills (DT), and NaNa Osafo-Mensah (SDE) followed up Josh Burnham, Gabriel Rubio, Jason Onye, and Javonte Jean-Baptiste, respectively.

Asked about the Ohio State transfer JJB and his future, Freeman said after watching his tape with the Buckeyes he likes the graduate player on their strong-side but he has this spring to see if he can play at the weak-side, too.

Junior Tuihalamaka appears to have made the full switch from linebacker as he was working at WDE in Wednesday’s practice.

The players working on kick return include Chris Tyree, Gi’Bran Payne, Jaden Greathouse, and Logan Diggs.

Former players Josh Lugg, Kyle Hamilton, Isaiah Foskey, and Blake Grupe were in attendance at Wednesday morning’s practice.