Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1282481
22 PRESEASON 2020 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED defensive linemen, behind the gradu- ated Khalid Kareem. Where the staff would like to see a little more upgrade from Hinish and Tagovailoa-Amosa is in impact and disruptive plays. Hinish recorded 15 tackles last season, while backup Lacey had 14 in half as many snaps. Among Tagovailoa-Amosa's 22 tackles in 2019, only 2.5 were behind the line with a half sack. Backup Ademilola in half the snaps had 25 stops, with four for lost yardage. That's in sharp contrast to Tago- vailoa-Amosa's predecessor Jerry Tillery, who had eight sacks for the College Football Playoff team in 2018 while earning second-team Associ- ated Press All-America notice and becoming a first-round selection. Expecting a Tillery-like production as a senior might be unrealistic, but a little more impact in the middle is not. Tagovailoa-Amosa did record six quarterback hurries last year, which was third best on the team, behind Kareem (11) and third-round pick Julian Okwara (seven). This senior class has made its bones at four areas: the offensive and defensive lines, linebacker and kicker Jonathan Doerer, whose leg power and accuracy were showcased last year and could make him a legiti- mate future pro prospect as well. CLASS SHORTAGES Where the class has been lacking is at the positions Kelly has stated are what have separated college foot- ball's first tier from Notre Dame: • There is neither a quarterback nor a cornerback in this group. Avery Davis was recruited as a quarterback, but he has also audi- tioned at cornerback and running back before shifting to slot receiver this spring, where junior Lawrence Keys III is the projected starter. • Davis moved to slot because there also is no wide receiver remain- ing in this original haul from 2017. Louisiana native Michael Young was on the cusp of a breakout at the start of the 2019 campaign, but a pre- season injury that resulted in shoulder surgery and then a rough start led him to leave the team in October. He grad- uated early from Notre Dame and en- rolled at the University of Cincinnati for his final two seasons of eligibility. Meanwhile, Isaiah Robertson — who arrived as a safety, moved to linebacker and then shifted to wide Right tackle Robert Hainsey is entering his fourth year as a starter and served as a team captain last fall. PHOTO BY ANDRIS VISOCKIS Senior Class Review Players Signed In 2017: 21 Players Available In 2020: 14 (tight end Cole Kmet turned pro after his junior year; linebacker David Adams, defensive tackle Darnell Ewell and wide receiver Isaiah Robertson were declared medically unable to play; running back C.J. Holmes — now at Kent State after first going to Penn State, where he was a safety — and defensive end Jonathan MacCollister, a tight end at Central Florida, transferred; and wide receiver and Michael Young went to Cincinnati as a graduate transfer) 2017 Recruiting Rankings: No. 13 by Rivals and 247Sports, and No. 16 by ESPN Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Jafar Armstrong* RB 6-1 220 Top returner in career rushing yards (505) has been snake-bit by injuries. Aaron Banks* OG 6-6 335 Team's largest player has started 19 straight at left guard. Avery Davis* WR 5-11 205 Former QB recruit has also auditioned at cornerback and running back, and is now helping at slot receiver. Jonathan Doerer K 6-3 205 Enjoyed fantastic debut as 2019 starter, converting 17 of 20 field goals and all 57 extra points. Jordan Genmark Heath LB 6-1 225 Former safety recruit will vie for starting Buck linebacker role vacated by Asmar Bilal. Dillan Gibbons* OG 6-4 305 Reserve guard played all 13 games last season on special teams. Robert Hainsey OT 6-5 295 Freshman co-starter already was a captain as a junior and is back from Nov. 2 ankle injury. Kurt Hinish NG 6-2 296 Tough, workmanlike, reliable figure in middle started all 13 games last season. Josh Lugg* OL 6-7 308 Started final five games in 2019 after Hainsey injury and could be next man in at any position along the line. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah* LB 6-2 215 Might be Notre Dame's best NFL prospect in the 2021 draft after stellar debut as 2019 starter. Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa* DT 6-3 286 Played more snaps last season (477) than any other returning Notre Dame defensive lineman. Kofi Wardlow* DE 6-3 240 Appeared in two 2019 games while caught in logjam at extremely deep position. Drew White* LB 6-0 227 Resilient figure overcame numerous setbacks to start in the middle and tie for 2019 team lead in stops. Brock Wright TE 6-5 250 Complementary figure as blocker will attempt to expand role after Cole Kmet's departure. * Eligible for fifth season in 2021