Fighting Irish football ready for annual spring practice contest

 

Notre Dame football is nearing the 86th annual Blue-Gold spring game in South Bend, Indiana.  After a long winter hiatus, the Irish went back to the turf for the 15 allotted spring practices for NCAA football programs.

The Fighting Irish return 20 starters who have started 8 games or more in their careers.  On offense, over 85 percent of last year’s total rushing and receiving yards are back.  Last year on defense, 12 players made their first career starts for the Irish.  Coming into 2015, cornerback is the only position on defense where there is no returning starter.

The team spent the early portion of practices inside the Loftus Center, with temperatures still plagued by cold spells.  As the warm air moved in, the team made its way outdoors to the beautiful LaBar Practice Complex for a full contact scrimmage.

Saturday, April 11, marked the first full-pads practice of the year.  Flashes of brilliance and leadership were on full display, but plenty of questions still remain.

The quarterback position is wide open, as has been customary in Coach Brian Kelly’s tenure.

“I don’t know if there are any mysteries,” said Kelly.  “I think there are things we need to continue to develop in them.”

Senior Everett Golson has his work cut out for him after junior Malik Zaire ended last season as Music City Bowl MVP.  Both quarterbacks split reps last December, ultimately leading to a win against Louisiana State University.  There is no question that Golson has experience on his side.

“You know, there were a couple times where Malik checked into something and we didn’t know what he was thinking.  With Everett, you don’t worry about that.  He has a full grasp of what is going on out there,” Kelly explained.

Off-season rumors of Golson transferring were squashed early on as Kelly continued to reiterate Golson’s loyalty to the program.  “He’s had the best spring since he has been here.  If I sensed something was going on or he wasn’t committed, then I would have pulled the plug on him immediately,” he said.

Running backs Tarean Folston and Greg Bryant highlight the backfield.  C.J. Prosise also will also make his way into the mix in 2015.  Prosise spent time as a slot receiver last season and has blazing speed.  He turned on the jets for a 70-yard touchdown run during Saturday’s scrimmage.

“If I were those guys (Folston and Bryant), I would feel like they better be careful because he’s got elite speed at the second level,” Kelly said.

With tight end Ben Koyack’s departure, Tyler Luatua and Durham Smythe are both prime candidates to continue Notre Dame tradition of being known as “Tight End-U.”  Luatua saw work as a blocker last season, while Smythe made one reception against Arizona State.  Highly touted recruit Alize Jones will get himself into the discussion in August.

On defense, the Irish blend a good mix of experience and youth in Brian VanGorder’s second season in South Bend.  Sheldon Day, Jarron Jones, and Isaac Rochell highlight the defensive line.  Jones will sit out the spring recovering from a foot injury.  Day is regarded as one of the best defensive linemen in the country.

Rising sophomores Grant Blankenship, Jay Hayes, and Andrew Trumbetti figure to see big workloads along the front as well. 

Jaylon Smith leads the linebacker corps once again this season, with fifth-year senior Joe Schmidt and junior James Onwualu back also.  Schmidt was undoubtedly one of the greatest stories to come out of college football last season.  The former walk-on garnered national attention after earning a scholarship and exploding onto the scene with 65 tackles before being injured in the contest against Navy.

The only question mark on defense is in the secondary at cornerback.  Cody Riggs will be graduating, but Keivarae Russell will be back after a season-long suspension.  Russell’s job is up in the air with newcomer Nick Watson fighting for playing time.

Senior Mathias Farley spent much of his time at the nickelback and safety position.  His versatility is extremely underappreciated for this Irish squad.  Farley had a nice bounceback campaign in 2014 and has been all over the field making plays this spring.

The Blue-Gold game will be televised on NBCSN at 12:30ET on Saturday, April 18. The game is not open to the public due to the Campus Crossroads Project forcing the event from Notre Dame Stadium to LaBar Practice Complex.

Jonathan Mehall is a senior at Holy Cross College majoring in communication with a minor in sports management.  Contact him at jmehall66@gmail.com.