Brian Kelly met with the media this morning to officially kick off the opening of fall camp. Let’s not waste any time and get to the updates.
Right off the bat, Kelly mentioned he’s looking for four things this year. One, the team needs to do ordinary things really well, take care of the football, control the lines of scrimmage, and don’t give up big plays. Later in the presser Kelly also reiterated he’ll be looking at how the defense does in camp regarding big plays. Additionally, he mentioned Max Redfield as someone who needs to do the regular things really well echoing his early thoughts on the team.
The topic of the young receivers came up early and often. For one, Torii Hunter will have a huge role and will be moved around to avoid any double teams. Kelly did not mention any ill effects from C.J. Sanders’ off-season hip surgery but did say that the sophomore will have a larger role within the offense this year. Also, Sanders is still the main guy as a returner but others will compete too.
Equanimeous St. Brown was mentioned a couple times as someone who needs to step up. Also as at the “W” position the staff is committed to giving incoming freshman Chase Claypool a look on offense. If you recall, many (including myself) thought his best long-term success may be found on defense.
Kelly certainly shirked off any concerns that losing tight end Alize Jones would affect the offense. However, he did say he was proud of Jones for taking responsibility for his actions and thinks he’ll greatly improve once he comes back in 2017.
The freshmen defensive backs got a lot of love today with Kelly even citing they weren’t afraid to play any of the youngsters. Hyperbole, yes, but still. Kelly reiterated that Butler is out for a while due to his broken foot. Possible starting corner Nick Watkins is also not 100% yet from his broken arm. That may have to do with Kelly praising sophomore Nick Coleman and saying he is starting to blossom and they love his athleticism.
The defense as a whole appears to be progressing citing a great comfort level with the VanGorder scheme now in year three. This means nothing, it’s fall camp fluff, but I’m here to report too! In other fuzzy feeling news Nyles Morgan now has complete trust from his teammates and coaches, especially VanGorder. Kelly reiterated that they are completely good with Morgan and more concerned about finding a backup at middle linebacker–not super great news for Josh Barajas.
Further, the Swiss Army knife that is Greer Martini received praise from Kelly. Interestingly, the coach mentioned that Martini would be cross-training at both the weak-side and middle linebacker spots. He spent last year primarily as a strong-side linebacker.
Up front, Isaac Rochell has taken a leadership role with the defensive linemen. In fact, Kelly seemed excited that Rochell has finally been able to heavy lift on a consistent basis something he wasn’t able to do for 2 years due to some back issues. That’s interesting news.
We’ve been wondering who would be the 4th member on the DL interior and Kelly may have given us our answer in redshirt freshman Elijah Taylor. He was praised for his stoutness and someone who would come fill in for Jarron Jones, Cage, or Tillery. As an aside, Kelly made it seem like the playing time at nose will be 60/40 in favor of Cage over Jones–with the latter hopefully playing “20 to 30” snaps against Texas. That’s not a lot of work, especially if Texas’ offense moves quickly. You wonder if Kelly is truly shooting straight here.
Back to the offense, there is no timeline to name a starter as everyone should have realized Kelly would say. Zaire had to catch up in the spring but is healthy now. They will pick a starter but Kelly couldn’t say what would happen once the season starts. He mentioned the team doesn’t care who plays quarterback, again tempting the QB controversy gods. Later, Kelly said he’d be open to anything with the quarterbacks and jokingly said that switching the starters depends upon the boos from the crowd.
The future of Brandon Wimbush is exactly that, the future. Kelly said they will redshirt him and he can compete for the job next year.
Kelly raved about everything to do with Mike McGlinchey. No surprise there. We’ve talked about it leading up to camp but what is a little surprising is Kelly saying that true freshman Tommy Kraemer is “the guy” at right guard. The head coach said we could see some competition at right tackle with Alex Bars but 4 out of the 5 spots (save RG) are pretty much sewn up. Fighting for that right guard spot with Kraemer, per Kelly, would be Hunter Bivin and Tristen Hoge. Kelly was pretty effusive with his praise for Hoge and said they want to get him some work at guard and not just center. In the event that Hoge plays guard they will move Harrell back to center.
Dexter Williams got some love from Kelly saying the sophomore running back is going to have a much bigger role in the offense and that they love his explosiveness.
One definite strength of the team? Kelly said the kicking and punting is really, really strong.
As far as possible captains Kelly singled out Onwualu, Luke, McGlinchey, Hunter, and the quarterbacks.
Redshirt sophomore running back/wideout/athlete Justin Brent suffered a lisfranc injury and just had screws removed from his foot. Kelly said he’s 4 to 6 weeks away from being healthy.
An update on Grant Blankenship isn’t a positive one. The suspended rising junior defensive end was not listed on the fall roster and is seeking a transfer.
John Montelus was moved from OL to DL back in January but has now moved back to the offensive line. Both McGovern and Montelus were promising 4-star linemen who look like won’t make an impact at Notre Dame and will be tough to justify a 5th-year out of either of them.
Kelly talked about the new media and said the relationship with Bleacher Report was a unique one and something that will help the program reach their target audience–even more so than last year’s Showtime series.
Full Freshmen Heights/Weights:
QB – Ian Book: 5-11.5/200
RB – Tony Jones Jr.: 5-10.5/215
RB – Deon McIntosh: 5-10.5/180
WR – Javon McKinley: 6-1.5/210
WR – Kevin Stepherson: 6-0/181
WR – Chase Claypool: 6-4/220
OL – Parker Boudreaux: 6-2.5/295
OL – Tommy Kraemer: 6-4.5/315
OL – Liam Eichenberg: 6-5.5/280
DE – Daelin Hayes: 6-3.5/250
DE – Khalid Kareem: 6-3.5/270
DE – Ade Ogundeji: 6-4/240
DE – Julian Okwara: 6-3.5/228
LB – Jamir Jones: 6-2.5/225
LB – Jonathan Jones: 5-11/220
CB – Troy Pride Jr.: 5-11/180
S – Devin Studstill: 6-0/198
S – Spencer Perry: 6-3/204
S – Jalen Elliott: 5-11.5/195
DB – Julian Love: 5-10.5/190
DB – DJ Morgan: 6-1.5/200
DB – Dontae Vaughn: 6-2/200
LS – John Shannon: 6-1.5/220
Per the official Notre Dame roster McIntosh is listed as both a running back and receiver. We knew he was small but 180 pounds is awfully light.
There was an error on the roster as Vaughn was listed as a safety but Kelly was adamant during his presser that he’s a large corner for the Irish.
I’m happy to see running back Tony Jones come in at a manageable 215 pounds. As a power back (you know I hate this term) he’s not all that tall, though.
Both McKinley and Claypool have the size necessary to play as freshmen–no surprise there.
From what I had seen in the past I believed Kraemer to be taller than Eichenberg but maybe that’s not correct. The latter has always looked like a big kid and it’s kind of shocking that he’s listed at 280 for someone so tall. Harrell came in at that size and some people thought we’d taken a tight end on the line!
Daelin Hayes has dropped a little bit of weight since the spring but is still in a nice zone for a pass rusher. Kareem at 270 is pretty solid, too.
Jamir Jones is trim and ready to stay at linebacker for the time being. On the inside, Jonathan Jones packs a punch at 5-11 (some think he’s shorter than this) and a solid 220 pounds. He’ll be an interesting player to watch as he’s likely only a middle linebacker who doesn’t have the frame to get much larger.
Troy Pride is lighter than I thought he’d be but Julian Love is bigger. Good news as Studstill packed on more weight during the summer and is almost 200 pounds.
Elliott’s size was intriguing to me and he comes in with solid measurements. Basically, a little small for a safety but good enough as a freshman.
NOTRE DAME FALL CAMP PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
# practice open to the media
^ practice at Culver Academies
Saturday, Aug. 6th 10:40-12:40 #^
Sunday, Aug. 7th 10:40-12:40 ^
Monday, Aug. 8th 10:40-12:40 ^
Tuesday, Aug. 9th 10:40-12:40 ^
Wednesday, Aug. 10th 10:40-12:40 ^
Thursday, Aug. 11th 9:45-11:45 # AND 5:15-6:45
Friday, Aug. 12th 10:45-12:45
Saturday, Aug. 13th 9:45-11:45 # AND 5:15-6:45
Monday Aug. 15th 10:30-12:30
Tuesday, Aug. 16th 9:45-11:45 AND 5:15-6:45
Wednesday, Aug. 17th 10:35-12:35 (Media Day)
Thursday, Aug. 18th 9:45-11:45 AND 5:15-6:45
Friday, Aug. 19th 12:50-2:50 #
Monday, Aug. 22nd 3:15-5:15 # (First Day of Classes)
Tuesday, Aug. 23rd 4:30-6:30
Wednesday, Aug. 24th 4:30-6:30
Thursday, Aug. 25th 4:40-6:40
Friday, Aug. 26th 4:50-6:50
Interesting plugging a true freshman in as an OL starter among a veteran group when he hasn’t put on pads for the coaches yet. I love the kid, and will always root for the Cincinnati guys – especially from the Catholic schools, but that’s a lot of confidence before day one.
Speaking of Cincinnati kids – I see you, Elijah Taylor. Go Big Moe!
McGovern surprises me. He’s been on the cusp of playing time for a while it seems. Just can’t get over the hump.
I have Claypool as the freshman surprise this year. I bet Larz agrees.
I never saw it with McGovern. Too old, too little praise over the years, missed time during the spring. One of the recent podcasts (ISD, maybe?) someone was sure McGovern would start at RG like it would be nothing. That was a head scratcher to me.
You think Claypool leads all the freshmen receivers in catches? What about versus the whole team?
It’s his size that intrigues me, with his body type 6’4″ 220, might he fill in some for Jones? There are too many variables with all the recvrs to know how this ends up. Though little experience, there’s plenty of talent.
Maybe, “surprise” was the wrong word, with McGovern. It seems he’s been that 6-7th guy for a couple seasons now.
Those Canadians will surprise you! Seriously, I think his biggest challenge will be the level of competition he played in Canada. The highs school football in Canada isn’t anywhere near what it is in the US.
Can anyone remind me the last time it turned out to be a good thing for a freshman to start on the o-line? Even for the freshman himself? Sam Young and Elmer are the only ones I can think of at the moment.
Both Young and I think also Elmer if I remember correctly played more out of necessity where in this case it seems we have a few legitimate candidates – Hoge/Biven – who would be really good players at that position. So for a freshmen to come in a play means something different than it did for the other two guys you mention (who perhaps struggled more so as freshmen and maybe never played up to their initial potential at ND). It certainly would mean that Kramer is in some rarefied air.
That’s a good point Champs. I feel better now.
So the Isaac Rochelle we’ve been seeing for 3 years has been at half strength. That is absolutely terrifying for the rest of humanity.