In a blink of an eye the spring football period will be complete for Notre Dame as they cram in practices within the span of one month, ending with this Saturday’s Blue-Gold Game. Wasn’t there a year where the Irish spring game was broadcast on Versus? Or did I dream that? Anyway, RIP Versus. In this modern world, we get the luxury of watching the 2023 Blue-Gold Game on NBC’s streaming service Peacock.

Blue–Gold Game

Notre Dame Stadium
South Bend, Indiana
Date: Saturday, April 22, 2023
Time: 2:00 PM ET
TV: Peacock

Blue shamrocks, of course.

If you need help, Peacock is $4.99 per month or $9.99 per month without commercials. You can cancel at any time. We will fire up our Slack chat for the game and try to provide our usual witty banter on Twitter, as well. Let’s preview this Saturday’s scrimmage, which God willing, has a little more offense than last year’s 13-10 barnburner.

Injury Report

RB Logan Diggs, Hamstring (Questionable)
RB Jadarian Price, Achilles (Out)
TE Kevin Bauman, Knee (Out)
TE Eli Raridon, Knee (Out)
OL Michael Carmody, Shoulder (Out?)
DT Devan Houstan, Shoulder (Out)
LB Jaylen Sneed, Concussion (Probable)
LB Prince Kollie, Concussion (Questionable)
CB Cam Hart, Shoulder (Out)
CB Christian Gray, Knee (Out)
S Thomas Harper, Shoulder (Out)
S Adon Shuler, Shoulder (Out)
S Ben Minich, Thumb (Out)

Many of the players listed above have at least been participating in some running drills, including running back Jadarian Price. He seems to be way ahead of schedule for such a serious injury and even if he’s not cleared for the Navy game perhaps we can put to rest him not being able to play at all in 2023.

Logan Diggs was hoping to return to practice this week, if he suits up for the spring game I can’t imagine he’ll play for very long.

There doesn’t seem to be much information regarding the status of Michael Carmody. He was believed to have been squarely in the race to start at guard but we do know he sat out all but the very beginning of the first open practice after tweaking his shoulder. Is he just injured? Medical retirement incoming? Is he hitting the portal after not winning a job in spring?

Prince Kollie was not present at the last open practice on Wednesday, fueling concerns he may be entering the transfer portal. On Saturday, the media were told he suffered a concussion a week prior and he was present on the sidelines that day, as well.

Freshman Christian Gray had his knee scoped and is done for the spring. So too is Ben Minich who had thumb surgery.

Recruiting Visits

*Denotes current Notre Dame commit
ITALICS denotes 2025 recruit, unless noted otherwise

QB CJ Carr (0.9752)*
QB Grayson Wilson

RB Aneyas Williams (0.9192)*

WR Cam Williams (0.9839)*
WR Micah Gilbert (0.9172)
WR Isiah Canion (0.9000)
WR Taz Williams

TE James Flanigan
TE Gus Ritchey

OL Guerby Lambert (0.9736)
OL Grant Brix (0.9448)
OL Styles Prescod (0.9042)

DL Justin Scott (0.9927)
DL Owen Wafle (0.8925)*
DL Benedict Umeh (0.9642)
DL Bryce Young (0.8991)
DL Davion Dixon

Edge Mylachi Williams (0.9021)
Edge Daniel Adefolarin
Edge Dominic Funke (2026 recruit)

LB Brian Huff (0.9085)
LB Bodie Kahoun (0.8900)
LB Chris Cole (0.8600)
LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (0.9535)
LB Christian Jones (0.9787)
LB Cooper Perone (NR)
LB Kelvion Riggs
LB Anthony Sacca
LB Abduall Sanders
LB Colsen Gatten

CB Karson Hobbs (0.8836)*
CB Leonard Moore (0.8989)*
CB Cree Thomas
CB Demari Clemons (2026 recruit)

S Justin McClain (0.9151)

ATH Davis Andrews (0.8719)
ATH Justin Denson (NR)
ATH Oliver Miles (NR)
ATH Caden Piening
ATH Jamir Joseph
ATH Cameron Melvin (2026 recruit)

If you were curious, Notre Dame already has nearly 100 offers out to the class of 2025 or current high school sophomores. They’ve only offered 5 freshmen in high school thus far. One of those freshmen includes corner Demari Clemons from my neck of the woods in Buffalo, New York. He won a state title with Bennett High School this past year and was offered by Michigan State, Penn State, Syracuse, Pitt, and Michigan all this month. He was just in Happy Valley last weekend for the Penn State spring game. Most expect an offer from the Irish this weekend or soon thereafter.

Dom Funke is a linebacker/pass rusher from St. Sebastian’s prep school in Massachusetts’s with some northeast offers already.

Cameron Melvin is 5-11 and 230 pounds out of Cleveland High School in North Carolina. I’d expect Notre Dame is looking at him for a middle linebacker-type of role.

If anyone is on Commit Watch it could be Isiah Canion out of Georgia. He visited in early March, picked up an offer, and is from the same town as Notre Dame receivers coach Chansi Stuckey (although Stuckey went to rival Northside and not Warner Robins HS). Canion split time between receiver and quarterback for Warner Robins last year and is testing really well this off-season. He likely won’t remain a low 4-star for much longer and was included in Tyler’s Way-Too-Early Guess at Notre Dame’s 2024 Recruiting Class.

15 Things to Watch

Hartman’s Downfield Passing

Granted the media hasn’t watched a ton of practice this spring and what they have seen has been filled with plenty of short-to-intermediate routes. Downfield passing was supposed to be an incredible strength for Hartman and there hasn’t been a ton of evidence during spring that things are clicking yet between him and the Irish receivers. It’s kind of worrisome (for spring at least) but if there are struggles on Saturday it’ll be a talking point heading into fall camp whether Hartman can get this on track.

Buchner’s Continued Progress

It’s not exactly being whispered but if there was a pick of the top performing quarterback as seen by the media this spring it would be Tyler Buchner. Drama! You have to figure Hartman will settle in and figure things out but it’s still good news that Buchner is developing and could provide a high level of quarterback play if he continues pushing Hartman. This was always the best case scenario (assuming Hartman isn’t a 2023 flop, which would be terrible and frankly quite weird) for Buchner taking the reigns over completely in 2024.

How Much Run from Payne

With Diggs being dinged up and nursing an injury, it doesn’t make a ton of sense to put too much work in the spring game on Audric Estime. Therefore, Gi’Bran Payne step right up as a possible MVP candidate! I’m assuming Payne will be carrying the ball for most of this game, although it’s possible the 2nd half is littered with walk-on reps from the running back position.

Will a Pecking Order Emerge at Receiver

Virginia Tech transfer Kaleb Smith wasn’t much of a factor this spring, then announced his medical retirement this past Saturday. Recently, Lorenzo Styles was seen taking some reps at corner and by the time you’ve read this they may have even switched him there full-time. A core looks to have solidified around Jayden Thomas, Tobias Merriweather, and Deion Colzie. Then we have Chris Tyree working a ton in the slot. Plus, 3 early enrolled freshmen who could make some noise. It’s a big spring game to see how these younger players perform with a larger spotlight.

Holden Staes Not Too Forgotten

Mitchell Evans has become The Guy at tight end in the absence of Michael Mayer and there doesn’t seem to be any doubt about that. However, watch out for Holden Staes at over 6’4″ and 242 pounds turning into a very reliable backup. Also, we can pay attention and see if the tight ends are used more or less than under Tommy Rees.

A recap of the spring media coverage live at practice. 

Which Players Shine at Guard

This will be a great time to look at the guards in what is turning into a battle among 4 players for 2 starting spots this fall. Andrew Kristofic the veteran with some starts under his belt has to be considered the favorite for one spot. Supremely talented redshirt freshman Billy Schrauth is the 18S Sportsbook leader for the other spot, but redshirt junior Michael Carmody (if he’s still a factor) and redshirt sophomore Rocco Spindler are lurking in the mix, too.

Is There Any Real Depth at Vyper

This position was a huge question mark coming into spring. Jordan Botelho looks to have completely locked down the starting position which wasn’t unexpected. Behind him there’s been brief glimpses from Junior Tuihalamaka and Josh Burnham. But we need to see more. The defense appeared to work a lot on blitzing this spring to reasonable success. How much pressure can this specific position provide?

Jason Onye–a Legit Player

Many eyes will be on Onye (he’s #47 which I would argue is an absolutely terrible number but at least sticks out a lot among the defensive linemen) who has taken the belt as the Most Improved Player this spring.

Onye: Built Different

Mere weeks ago he was an afterthought and someone who we were monitoring as a transfer candidate. Now, he’s made his way to being a backup and someone who could pleasantly surprise on the defense. Anything of the sort would be extremely welcomed for 2023.

How is Rylie Mills’ Comfort Inside

The media were treated to a surprise last Wednesday as Marcus Freeman allowed them to stay for the entire practice. By most accounts, Rylie Mills was the most impressive defensive lineman for that workout. As someone who has called for his move away from strong-side end and to the interior this could be a really smart decision.

Will Any Backup Linebackers Truly Push for Playing Time

Also known as the section where we talk about Prince Kollie. As predicted, JD Bertrand has locked down Mike linebacker for the 3rd straight season while Nolan Ziegler has come on strong in a backup role this spring. To the chagrin of many, Marist Liufau doesn’t appear to be losing a starting job, although Jack Kiser has been receiving more reps at Will linebacker. That combination of Liufau/Kiser may be keeping Kollie off the field more than he would like. During the spring game we can also get a glimpse of how much the Rover position will be seeing the field or if the 2022 strategy will continue of using a nickel far more often.

We Know the Top 4 Corners–Whose Up Next

Notre Dame heads into 2023 with 4 out of its top 5 corners from a year ago only having to replace nickel extraordinaire Tariq Bracy. Oklahoma State transfer Thomas Harper is expected to fill a lot of that hole, plus Clarence Lewis has been getting a lot of work at nickel this spring. We still don’t know a ton about the other corners, except true freshman Christian Gray has been impressing but won’t be playing in the spring game. Marcus Freeman said last weekend he expects Lorenzo Styles to play some corner during the Blue-Gold Game and we’re monitoring if this is something more long-term for the receiver.

Brown, Watts, or Henderson…is There a Dawg in the Group

If the season was starting on Saturday you’d think the veteran D.J. Brown would be paired up with Xavier Watts to start at safety. I’m sure Ramon Henderson will rotate in quite a bit. According to those present in the media, Watts is really starting to come on strongly and moving from “steady starter” to maybe one of the strengths of the defense. Yes, please.

The McFerson Bomb Dropping

Do they punt during the spring game? I think they punt during the spring game, right? Yeah, I’m pretty sure they punt. This will be the first time to see McFerson and his rumored “big leg” in action.

Can Yoakam Really Compete at Kicker

Notre Dame has kicker Spencer Shrader coming in from USF this summer and he’s expected to win the starting placekicking job. However, the reports on walk-on Zac Yoakam have been pretty positive during the spring and I’m not 100% sure Shrader is going to have this job wrapped up when fall camp opens up. I’d expect a nice battle to take place well into August.

Will Halftime Last Longer than the Second Half

“What Would You Fight For?” versus the amount of action we see in the 2nd half. Which will be longer?

***

Spring Game Team Depth Chart

Once again, the program will be doing a player draft for the Blue-Gold Game. This didn’t seem to generate that much buzz last year but maybe it’ll become a tradition after we do it twice–you know, the Notre Dame way. The school will be streaming the BGG Draft tomorrow at 9:15 AM ET.

QUARTERBACK: #10 Hartman, #12 Buchner, #18 Angeli, #8 Minchey

RUNNING BACK: #7 Estime, #3 Diggs, #13 Payne

WIDE RECEIVER X: #5 Merriweather, #17 Flores, #19 Greathouse

WIDE RECEIVER Z: #83 Thomas, #2 Tyree, #4 Styles, #29 Salerno

WIDE RECEIVER: #0 Colzie, #14 James

TIGHT END: #88 Evans, #85 Staes, #38 Sherwood

LEFT TACKLE: #76 Alt, #79 Baker, #77 Chan

LEFT GUARD: #74 Schrauth, #78 Coogan

CENTER: #52 Correll, #58 Craig

RIGHT GUARD: #73 Kristofic, #50 Spindler, #72 Pendleton

RIGHT TACKLE: #54 Fisher, #59 Wagner

VYPER: #12 Botelho, #44 Tuihalamaka, #40 Burnham

DEFENSIVE TACKLE: #99 Mills, #97 Rubio, #98 Ford, #41 Hinish

NOSE GUARD: #56 Cross, #47 Onye, #90 Ehrensberger, #92 Keanaaina

BIG END: #1 Jean-Baptiste, #31 Osafo-Mensah

MIKE LINEBACKER: #27 Bertrand, #42 Ziegler, #34 Bowen

WILL LINEBACKER: #8 Liufau, #32 Kollie, #25 Zinter

ROVER LINEBACKER: #24 Kiser, #3 Sneed, #23 Ausberry

BOUNDARY CORNER: #6 Lewis, #15 Barnes

NICKEL CORNER: #21 Mickey

FIELD CORNER: #20 Morrison, #18 Tucker

FREE SAFETY: #2 Brown, #11 Henderson

STRONG SAFETY: #0 Watts

(I think you can see why Styles at corner and Barnes at safety are going to be used liberally during the game).