Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2019 Notre Dame Football Preview
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These second-year players are primed to thrive after either redshirt- ing or playing a limited role during their rookie campaigns in 2018. 1. Center Jarrett Patterson The No. 2 left tackle last fall, Patterson transitioned to center this spring. He grabbed the starting spot from day one and asserted control of the position thereafter while replacing graduated three-year starter Sam Mustipher. Although unproven, the nimble 6-5, 300-pound Patterson has earned expectations as high as they were for Robert Hain- sey as a sophomore tackle last year. 2. Buck Linebacker Jack Lamb Staying healthy has been an issue for Lamb, but the former No. 2 prep inside linebacker in the country is long (6-4), fast (reportedly ran a 4.54 40-yard dash this spring after recovering from an ankle injury), instinctive, and his range — especially in coverage — is top-notch. If he can be assignment consistent and stay off the injured list, he can become more than just a niche fig- ure for the rebuilding linebacker/rover corps. 3. Defensive Tackle Jayson Ademilola His 189 snaps last season were the most in the freshman class and were needed behind first-round pick Jerry Tillery after sophomore Myron Tagovailoa- Amosa was lost for 11 games because of foot surgery. He graded out as one the most efficient defenders against the run and should form a formidable tag- team combination with Tagovailoa-Amosa. 4. Wide Receiver Lawrence Keys III Classmates Kevin Austin, Braden Lenzy and Joe Wilkins Jr. could just as easily end up in this conversation this fall, but slot man Keys was consis- tently the most outstanding through- out the spring with his proclivity to get open with both strong instincts and speed. 5. Cornerback Houston Griffith Moved to safety and eventually nickel his freshman season, he nearly matched Ademilola in snap counts on defense (183), but never quite settled into his new role. He and fellow sophomore TaRiq Bracy are being asked to step into the sec- ond cornerback role opposite Troy Pride Jr., and provide the consistency and pro- duction Pride did opposite consensus All-American Julian Love last year. BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2019 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ✦ 25 2019 FRESHMAN IMPACT This is not necessarily about who will prove to be the top players down the road in the 22- man class, but which rookies have the best opportunity to make their presence felt this season. 1. DEFENSIVE TACKLE JACOB LACEY An early enrollee, the 6-2, 294-pound Lacey brings more size and strength than freshman regulars from the 2017 and 2018 classes who currently comprise the interior two-deep. Although built quite differently, he likely will have the type of co-starting role at nose tackle with junior Kurt Hinish that freshman Jerry Tillery, also an early enrollee who ended up playing 351 snaps, did in 2015 with Daniel Cage. 2. Punter Jay Bramblett The Tuscaloosa, Ala., native was recruited to take over punting duties as a true freshman, which he will do barring injury or a collapse in fall camp. Pre- decessor Tyler Newsome redshirted his first year before starting the next four (2015-18). Bramblett won't have such a luxury and is needed immediately. 3. Safety Kyle Hamilton Cracking the rotation as a true freshman won't be easy, even for a five-star talent (247Sports' No. 15-ranked player nationally) like Hamilton. The presence of proven seniors Alohi Gilman and Jalen Elliott likely will limit Hamilton's defensive reps, but he'll still be hard to keep off the field this fall. 4. Running Back Kyren Williams Like Lacey and Bramblett, he also had the advantage of enrolling early this spring and brought a unique pass catching threat to the backfield. That could earn him some snaps as a true freshman if an older player struggles. 5. Cornerback KJ Wallace Depth concerns at the position combine well with Wallace's advanced tech- nique and toughness to give him a chance to quickly rise up the depth chart. Similar to departed consensus All-American Julian Love, he's not the rangiest or fastest figure, but is smooth, versatile, aggressive and instinctive. SOPHOMORE SURGE Jarrett Patterson spent his freshman campaign as the team's No. 2 left tackle, but has made the transition to center in 2019 and seized the starting position during spring practice. PHOTO BY ANGELA DRISKELL The 6-2, 294-pound Jacob Lacey has the size and strength to make an impact at defensive tackle as a true freshman. PHOTO BY COREY BODDEN