After a long and tortuous absence the beat media was finally able to attend a Notre Dame practice once again. On Saturday afternoon, the Fighting Irish opened camp inside the indoor facility before shifting to some work on the outside field. The media was present for 30 minutes of the workout and Brian Kelly met with the media afterward. There will be a full workout viewed on Thursday where we’ll learn a lot more about the team.

For now, here are the 12 notes from Saturday’s workout:

#1 It’s Coan, Most Likely

Kelly talked about both Jack Coan and Drew Pyne after the practices giving some praise to both. However, Coan started practice with the 1st team, received more positive comments from coach, and Kelly basically said Pyne has to continue to be Pyne. More importantly, Kelly said they’ll make a decision on the quarterback this upcoming week after the 1st full scrimmage.

In fall camp terms, that’s a super quick decision. If that’s the plan, you have to think they already know Jack Coan will be the starting quarterback against Florida State.

#2 Clark Still Recovering

I don’t know if we ever found out when Brendon Clark was shut down last season but we do know he had an old ACL injury repaired this off-season. It feels like a recovery process that’s been out of the 1990’s as 8-9 months later he’s still a few weeks away from getting back to full action.

I feel like Clark is already heading into his senior season but he was a 2019 recruit with technically 4 years of eligibility remaining. I’m curious to see if he basically misses real fall camp reps if they keep him on varsity over Tyler Buchner and what it’ll mean for Clark’s future beyond 2021.

#3 Austin Getting Reacclimated

Most of the folks around Notre Dame were mentally prepared for Kevin Austin to take it slow as camp opened and that seems to be exactly on the mark as Kelly mentioned the perceived No. 1 receiver will be broken in slowly coming off a fractured foot and late off-season surgery. That makes me wonder how much of a role he’ll have during the workout on Thursday that the media will view.

#4 The Receivers Have Transformed

If you’re going off Kelly’s comments on Saturday there weren’t any surprises at receiver. Kelly singled out the off-season work for Joe Wilkins and Braden Lenzy underlining their commitment level and physical transformation.

The veterans of Austin, Davis, Keys, Lenzy, and Wilkins are probably what we’re rolling with, at least early in the season. I have no doubt this group will look good during practices and we’ll have to wait and see how they perform during games. I’d like to see young guys emerge as much as anyone but this is going to be a tough group to surpass for the likes of Watts, Styles, and Colzie it seems. Typically, the 5th or 6th receiver on the team catches 5 or fewer passes on the season so maybe don’t get your hopes up!

#5 Center It Is Then

Immediately following the conclusion of 2020 there was talk that Jarrett Patterson would be moving to left tackle. I kind of pushed back on that thought. Then, during the spring he appeared ready to move to left guard. After the first day of fall camp, Kelly said nope…Patterson is back at center and it’s permanent.

Wisely, the coaching staff realized Patterson’s future after Notre Dame will be at center and it just never made sense–especially with some highly promising young tackles emerging–to take that away from him when he can anchor the middle and potentially be a top 100 pick within the first 3 rounds when the NFL comes calling.

#6 Correll Can Play Guard

In our camp preview I mentioned the belief around South Bend that it was center or nothing for Zeke Correll and he could be in trouble if Patterson stayed at his position. Turns out, that’s not true. Kelly mentioned that despite his lack of ideal size (6-3, 295) Correll has traits and physicality beyond his size and they love his intangibles.

When the offense came out for tempo this is how the line looked:

Fisher (LT) – Correll (LG) – Patterson (C) – Dirksen (RG) – Lugg (RT)
Baker (LT) – Spindler (LG) – Kristofic (C) – Madden (RG) – Carmody (RT)
Johnson (LT) – Murphy (LG) – Coogan (C) – Carroll (RG) – Alt (RT)

Kelly was pretty adamant that Patterson and Lugg are starters. It’s curious to see grad transfer Cain Madden not with the 1st-team but that looks like a nod to a veteran in Dirksen, plus things will likely change once the pads are strapped on soon.

#7 Botelho is Cleared to Play

You have to be careful on these internets, man. A few days before camp opened a rumor started on a Notre Dame site that questioned the status of defensive end Jordan Botelho. During Kelly’s presser he shot that down immediately saying “If somebody is off the team, we’re going to let you know.” He also said it isn’t an academic or a drug testing policy situation.

Kelly seemed awfully annoyed. However, I would note that this doesn’t necessarily rule out any “traits” problems that could affect Botelho’s playing time. Kelly said he’s cleared to play and compete which could be the NCAA version but maybe not the team version, we’ll see. Also, Kelly said Isaiah Foskey dealt with a pectoral injury this summer while Justin Ademilola is at Vyper now, or at least offering some cross-training.

#8 Moala is Ready

This was anticipated as Paul Moala was ahead of schedule in the spring coming off an Achilles injury, now he’s full-go for fall camp. He adds more depth to a linebacker corps that is really going to have a hard time figuring out who is going to play. Kelly admitted as much after Saturday’s workout saying he’s talked with Freeman and he doesn’t know how he’ll be able to get everyone on the field.

First world problems, I suppose.

#9 Corner Depth Chart Solidifying Quickly

Kelly was asked about Tariq Bracy and Cam Hart playing with Clarence Lewis and was quick to mention that Ramon Henderson should be included in that group, too. Given the lack of veterans beyond this–everyone else has freshman eligibility and hasn’t played yet–it seems extremely likely this will be the top 4 corners to use for 2021.

#10 Who’s the 4th Safety?

Of course, one practice isn’t going to help any of the young players make a move yet. At safety, like corner, the veterans Kyle Hamilton, Houston Griffith, and D.J. Brown are the top 3 at the moment. Kelly pointed out they really need the find a 4th at this spot.

We’ll need a full look at practice to see the pecking order for everyone else and also if anyone has moved to safety from the freshmen class. We either have 9 corners and 7 safeties or 8 corners and 8 safeties. So many defensive backs!

#11 Captains Coming Soon

By the time you read this the news may be out already. Kelly mentioned that captains will be named on Monday, August 9th and there’s a lot of leadership to choose from this year which is somewhat surprising given all 5 captains moved on from last year. I’ll predict we’ll see 6 named:

Jarrett Patterson
Drew White
Kyle Hamilton
Avery Davis
MTA
Kyren Williams

#12 New Numbers

Several players have switched jersey numbers. They are as follows:

WR Xavier Watts from #82 to #2
WR Joe Wilkins from #18 to #5
DE Justin Ademilola from #19 to #9
DE NaNa Osafo-Mensah from #18 to #31
DE Alex Ehrensberger from #98 to #90
LB Marist Liufau from #35 to #8
CB Clarence Lewis from #26 to #6
S DJ Brown from #12 to #2
S Litchfield Ajavon from #23 to #4
S Justin Walters from #20 to #22