Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1007651
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com AUGUST 2018 19 resulted in a reconfiguration of the line. Halfway through spring prac- tices, line coach Jeff Quinn shifted Eichenberg to left tackle, where he will fill the giant void left by first- round pick Mike McGlinchey. Hainsey was moved back to right tackle, where he started the final four games of the 2017 campaign. Fifth- year senior Alex Bars slid over to left guard to replace Nelson, and Krae- mer moved to right guard. Eichenberg quickly seizing the open fifth starter job and entrenching himself at left tackle allowed the expected start- ing line to get a lot of work together. SKILL PRODUCTION OPPORTUNITIES AWAIT Last season's leading rusher Josh Adams and top pass catcher Equa- nimeous St. Brown left early for the NFL, opening up opportunities for the 2016 class. Running back Tony Jones Jr. is ex- pected to replace Adams. Jones strug- gled early last fall, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry through the season's first six games while battling an ankle injury. As he became healthier in the final seven contests his production improved, with the St. Petersburg, Fla., product averaging 6.0 yards per rush during that span. Jones is a versatile figure who can run, catch and pass block. He'll need to become a more forceful runner and prove he can stay healthy to be- come the true lead back, but he'll get every opportunity to earn that role. Wide receiver Chase Claypool showed flashes of becoming a top playmaker last season, but consis- tency and focus were issues for him. It appeared he was ready for a break- out after setting career highs with nine receptions for 180 yards in the 48-37 win over Wake Forest Nov. 4. Claypool couldn't build on that suc- cess, though, snaring only five passes for 48 yards in the next three games. A shoulder injury kept him out of the bowl game, and he was erratic during the spring. However, he had a mon- ster performance in the Blue-Gold Game, hauling in six passes for 152 yards and two scores while showcas- ing his immense potential. If the Canadian can maintain that level of production on a game-by- game basis in 2018, he'll quickly become a top target. If his inconsis- tency continues, he'll have a hard time maintaining a regular spot in the rotation. Rivals ranked Javon McKinley as the nation's 59th best player, but the former U.S. Army All-American has yet to crack the receiver rotation. A talented incoming freshman class puts McKinley in a situation where a failure to progress this season will result in him getting passed by. Should McKinley start to show off his high school All-America skill, it will provide the offense with a physi- cal pass catcher it has lacked the last two seasons. DEPTH OPTIONS Not much was expected from quar- terback Ian Book when he signed, but when starter Brandon Wimbush went down with an injury last fall, Book led the Irish to a 33-10 road win at North Carolina in his lone career start. Wimbush struggled down the stretch and was replaced by Book in the first half of Notre Dame's Cit- rus Bowl matchup against LSU. Book led the Irish to back-to-back fourth- quarter touchdown drives to secure a come-from-behind victory. His 55- yard touchdown pass to Miles Boykin proved to be the game winner. Book challenged Wimbush again in the spring, but the senior beat him out. Knowing that Book is there to step in when needed provides com- fort at the position. Junior linebacker Jonathan Jones is the top backup at Mike (middle) line- backer, and he was a backup at the Buck (weakside inside linebacker) spot last season. The ability to play both positions should earn him sig- nificant rotation snaps this season. Classmate D.J. Morgan is in the mix for the backup Buck position. John Shannon took over long and short snapping duties last season and thrived. ✦ This fall, Javon McKinley, who was rated as the No. 59 overall prospect in the class of 2016 by Rivals, will try to crack the wide receiver rotation for the first time in his Irish career. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA