Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com APRIL 2020 23 ing in space, which is what slot al- lows him to do. Last year his six carries netted only 10 yards, but he did catch 10 passes for 124 yards and two scores. Spears changed his number from 90 to 70. His chances of seeing action at guard might be better down the road than in the crowded defensive interior. Next year, the guard posi- tion graduates Tommy Kraemer and possibly Aaron Banks, while senior Josh Lugg might be moved out to tackle when both Liam Eichenberg and Robert Hainsey exhaust their eli- gibility after the 2020 campaign. Cross-training also will occur. In the first practice, sophomore Marist Liufau worked at Buck linebacker and also took some reps at rover, likely for specific type of offenses that might be faced. Sophomore cornerback K.J. Wal- lace also received instruction for a spell with the safeties. WELCOME BACK! The last time a Notre Dame player was at least partially suspended prior to a season (four games) before returning was running back Dexter Williams in 2018. He then went on to have an out- standing season during a run to the College Football Playoff with 995 rushing yards, 6.3 yards per carry and 12 touchdowns to go with 16 catches and one score. The Fighting Irish hope similar lightning strikes with 6-2, 210-pound junior wideout Kevin Austin, who was suspended from game action throughout the 2019 season but still allowed to practice. It showed in the opening spring practice with no remnants of rust. Austin and fellow boundary re- ceiver, fifth-year senior Javon McKin- ley (6-2, 215), were standouts with their ball skills, specifically on 50-50 passes and adjusting and timing their moves right to the ball's flight. "He's always had the talent," head coach Brian Kelly said of Austin. "He's obviously doing things right both on and off the field. His devel- opment has been one that we're re- ally pleased with. "That's why you're seeing a lot more of him on a day like today." Despite Austin and slot man Avery Davis playing together on offense, both still are donning No. 4. That will eventually have to change. ✦ Notre Dame Pre-Spring Superlatives On Offense Establishing new main cogs at running back and wide receiver will be a primary area of concentra- tion for the Irish: Most Career Rushing Yards 1. Ian Book, 624 — His 546 yards last season (4.9 yards per carry) were second-best to the graduated Tony Jones Jr. (857). 2. Jafar Armstrong, 505 — The former wide receiver has been slowed by injuries the past two sea- sons. He rushed for 383 yards and 5.3 yards per carry in 2018 as a sophomore, took on the lead role last spring, but after an injury on the opening series of the season he finished with a merely 122 rushing yards and 2.7 yards per carry. 3. Jahmir Smith, 208 — Never quite asserted a complementary role behind Jones last season as a sophomore after Armstrong's injury, finishing with 180 yards and 4.3 yards per attempt. This will be a crucial spring for both he and classmate C'Bo Flemister to come more to the forefront. 4. Braden Lenzy, 200 — As a sophomore wide receiver, Lenzy helped compensate for the lack of speed on the edge with 13 jet sweeps that averaged 15.4 yards, highlighted by 51- and 61-yard scoring runs versus USC and Boston College, respectively. 5. C'Bo Flemister, 162 — Had his moments as a sophomore in 2019, notably rushing for five touch- downs, but averaged only 3.4 yards per rush. Like classmate Smith, can he be more than a niche back? With 5-9, 205-pound Kyren Williams (four carries for 26 yards) redshirted last season as a freshman and incoming top-100 freshman speed merchant Chris Tyree enrolling in June, the competition for carries is going to be stiff. Most Career Passing Yards 1. Ian Book, 6,118 — Finished 24th nationally in passing efficiency (149.1 rating, down from a year earlier), and he probably needs to be in the top 10 for the Irish to be a College Football Playoff con- tender. Most Career Catches 1. Jafar Armstrong, 27 — Nabbed 14 for 159 as a sophomore and 13 for 97 last season. Receiving comes natural to him, as it should because he was recruited as a wideout. 2. Tommy Tremble, 16 — Utilized often in two-tight-end sets with Cole Kmet, who turned pro this winter. Tremble's four touchdown catches are tied for the most with wideout Javon McKinley among returning players. 3. Lawrence Keys III, 13 — Now a junior, and with Chris Finke graduated, the position is his for the taking. 4. Braden Lenzy, 11 — His vertical speed and elusiveness were demonstrated with a 23.1 average per catch, two of them resulting in scores. 5. Javon McKinley, 11 — As a senior last year he grabbed his first career catches and made the most of them with four touchdowns and 24.4 yards per reception, although all were in blowout situations (positive and negative). The X-factor on offense is rising junior Kevin Austin, who caught five passes for 90 yards as a freshman and last season was able to practice with the team but not play because of an imposed suspension. — Lou Somogyi Junior Kevin Austin was suspended last year, but could be an X-factor at wide receiver — a position that needs replenishment following several departures from last year. PHOTO BY MIKE MILLER