The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/122487
michigan football their future. That's a good start." The Fighting Irish also had a veteran group along the offensive line last year — but they must replace just two starters. Left tackle Zack Martin and left guard Chris Watt are returning for their fifthyear senior campaigns, and right tackle Christian Lombard will be a senior as well. The Irish will have to replace Mike Golic Jr. at right guard and Braxston Cave at center. "They have been grooming Matt Hegarty, but he had a major procedure to repair patches in his heart, so his future is questionable, physically and psychologically," Somogyi said. "Redshirt sophomore Nick Martin, he has played every position. He came in as a guard, played tackle. Kelly said he could get a look at center." Somogyi sees two big question marks heading into the spring: finding playmakers and increasing red zone production. Two veteran running backs — Theo Riddick and Cierre Wood — are gone. The Irish lost 1,659 rushing yards to graduation — the second-biggest year-to-year loss in one season in program history. Somogyi thinks consistency at the quarterback position will lead to better production. "The have to find a consistent every-down kind of running back," he said. "George Atkinson has game-breaking speed, but can he do more than just sweep wide? Amir Carlisle didn't play last year because of nerve damage. Can he be healthy? Cam McDaniel was a CB last spring, so he is trying to adjust. Will Mahone is more of a big back." At wide receiver, senior TJ Jones and junior DaVaris Daniels will have to step up after the loss of tight end Tyler Eifert. In the red zone, the Irish settled for too many field goals. "They had to win a lot of low-scoring games last year, a lot of slugfests where they leaned on the defense," Somogyi said. "Score one more touchdown per game, then you're in good shape." Defensively, Notre Dame will once again have one of the best front sevens in the country, even with the loss of middle linebacker Manti Te'o. Senior defensive tackle Louis Nix and junior defensive end Stephon Tuitt will anchor the line. "I don't know if you're going to find a better line tandem than Nix and Tuitt. It's not inconceivable that both will be first-round guys," Somogyi said. Although Notre Dame is bringing back eight defensive starters, it is losing a key veteran leader in each position group: Te'o in the linebackers, Kapron LewisMoore along the line and safety Zeke Motta in the secondary. "They'll have to find that leadership," Somogyi said. — Andy Reid