Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Offensive linemen are typically automatic redshirts, but Steve Elmer's size (6-6, 317), knowledge base and the numbers shortage at tackle could provide him with an opportunity to play as a freshman. photo by joe raymond hands, ball skills and the fact that he already has a spring under his belt, despite a hyperextended elbow that sidelined him the final week, gives him an edge over Fuller for potential early duty. The receiving corps needs help, and Robinson could be in the rotation, especially in "jump ball" or fade situations. "He's going to be a role player, kind of like [receiver] Chris Brown was and you can say, 'Hey, Chris helped us win a game against Oklahoma,'" Kelly said. "That's how you've got to look at Corey Robinson. … He's got to get bigger, he's got to get stronger, but he does have a skill set. When you throw that ball up in the air, he comes down with it. There's a place for him in our offense, but he wouldn't be a featured guy like a Daniels might be." While Bryant appears to be physi- cally more primed for running back duties as a freshman than the 5‑10, 190-pound Folston, the latter can't be ruled out of action. It's just that with juniors George Atkinson III, Cam McDaniel and Amir Carlisle all in the rotation, and maybe even sophomore Will Mahone and fellow freshman Bryant, it won't be easy. Normally, offensive linemen are automatic redshirts, but the 6‑6, 317-pound Elmer could be an exception. His combination of size, a knowledge base as an early enrollee, plus a numbers shortage at tackle (four scholarship linemen this spring) affords him a puncher's chance of playing in 2013. In full team scrimmages during the spring, Elmer was not a lost figure. "Generally those guys that are big, physical young kids, they look really good [in uniform], but they don't play the game as well," Kelly said. "He plays 11-on-11 football pretty good. He's got good instincts, he understands frontside, back-side combinations. "He's still a work in progress obviously as a pass setter. In the run game, he's pretty accomplished." Biding Time (10): Offensive guard/ tackle Hunter Bivin, tight end Mike Heuerman, wide receiver Torii Hunter Jr., defensive lineman Jacob Matuska, offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey, offensive guard Colin McGovern, center John Montelus, defensive lineman Isaac Rochell, tight end Durham Smyth and quarterback Malik Zaire. From 2007-12, Notre Dame signed 19 offensive linemen. Only one did not have a potential fifth season preserved by playing as a freshman — guard Trevor Robinson in 2008.