Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/109499
could legitimately vie for playing time, depending on how his allaround game develops. "He came from the shotgun offense and he runs the ball exceedingly well," Kelly said last season. "We have no hesitation of putting him in the game." Transfer Of Power USC transfer Amir Carlisle (5-10, 185) took a medical redshirt year in 2012 after suffering an ankle injury right before spring practice, and he has three years of eligibility remaining. Nerve damage was discovered over the summer in Carlisle's ankle, and with Riddick, Wood, Atkinson and McDaniel (moved over from defense to replace Carlisle) all in the fold, he was not needed in 2012. "That nerve damage really slowed down the process and I was dealing with different issues with toe flexion and everything," Carlisle said during preparations for the BCS National Championship. "… I was expecting to play [in 2012], but God had another plan and I just feel it made me stronger and it's going to make me stronger for next season." The 2010 Parade AllAmerican, who has been clocked with 4.43 speed in the 40-yard dash, was also hampered by ankle and knee injuries as a USC freshman in 2011 in an extremely deep backfield. "I love competition," said Carlisle, who saw extensive action in a 2011 blowout of Colorado in which he carried 10 times for 90 yards, and caught two passes for 23 yards and one score. "You have to go against the best to be the best." Carlisle was healthy enough to practice with the Irish scout team during the bowl preparation. "It's felt good — a little sore after back-toback days — but I'll definitely be 100 percent for spring ball," he said of his ankle. Where There's A Will … Joining Carlisle on the waiting list was 5-10, 211-pound freshman Will Mahone, whose compact frame has him earmarked to be more of a power back, although he has a ways to go yet to be the size of the 240-pound Robert Hughes (2007-10). "I feel like I'm probably going to be more of the inside guy because I'm kind of bigger, but I just feel like I can do all the things they do too," Mahone said of the 2013 running back corps. "You've got to have that diversity at running back for different situations." The Austintown, Ohio, native believes he developed some valuable insights while learning behind a veteran group in 2012. "Paying attention to little details is definitely important to be a good running back at this level," Mahone said. "I just learned the ropes and how to compete. In high school, I didn't have to read any defenses really. That's a big thing now, especially with our offense and how our coaches teach us to do things." Joining the backfield stable this summer will be Greg Bryant (5-11, 200) and Tarean Folston (5-10, 190). ✦