Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1368856
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com JUNE/JULY 2021 45 the program. The yield of starters so far may be low, but it's not far- fetched to imagine more than half of them appearing on the depth chart in some form. Pyne will be the No. 2 quarterback if he doesn't start. Baker will be listed as a backup at worst. Fellow lineman Michael Carmody has worked as a second-team tackle. Can Kevin Bauman push for the No. 2 tight end job? He impressed last summer, but other riches at the position blocked his path. Even if he ends up third in the pecking order, Notre Dame uses tight ends often enough to foresee a few snaps per game for him. The spring established that Notre Dame's the receiver room is leaning on its seniors, which wasn't ideal for those hoping former five-star Jordan Johnson or Xavier Watts would pilfer starting spots from older players. Each worked with the twos this spring. Johnson missed a few prac- tices due to an unknown injury, and then two days after a catch-less Blue- Gold Game he put his name in the transfer portal and became the first 2020 signee to leave Notre Dame. Receiver Jay Brunelle's time also appears to be down the road. On defense, linemen Alex Ehrens- berger and Aidan Keanaaina are fac- ing a numbers crunch in 2021. Notre Dame may have a 10-man rotation on the defensive line, and that's without either of them in it. Senior departures after this season should yield a better chance for them to enter the mix. Henderson has taken some first- team reps at the boundary posi- tion, but Cam Hart appears to be in front there. That leaves the 6-1, 189-pounder fighting a couple fresh- men for the No. 2 job. "We're starting to see that growth from Ramon as well," Kelly said. "When you line [he and Hart] up, those two look as good as anyone in the country." Defensive back Caleb Offord has worked with the twos and threes. SUMMARY Notre Dame isn't in a position this year where it needs to press the 2021 sophomores into action beyond the four headliners. Everyone else can continue building trust with the coaches so they can earn an extended look at starting jobs or rotation roles in 2022. The objective is to step into them later on and keep Notre Dame operating at its current level. ✦ Players Signed: 17 Players Available In 2021: 16 2019 Recruiting Rankings: No. 14 by ESPN, No. 18 by 247Sports and No. 22 by Rivals Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Tosh Baker OT 6-8 300 The former top-150 prospect is competing to start at one of the tackle spots. Kevin Bauman TE 6-4½ 240 Had one catch in four 2020 games; competing for time behind Michael Mayer. Jordan Botelho DE 6-2½ 248 Special teams standout in 2020 is the projected No. 2 vyper behind junior Isaiah Foskey and a probable sub-package mainstay. Jay Brunelle WR 6-1 199 Did not play in 2020. He has worked at field and boundary receiver. Michael Carmody OT 6-5½ 300 Has found a home at tackle and worked at both edge spots. A probable No. 2. Alex Ehrensberger DE 6-7 252 Native of Germany notched two tackles for loss and a sack in reserve duty against South Florida, his lone appearance. Ramon Henderson CB 6-1 189 Played 19 defensive snaps in 2020, possible top-two boundary corner. Jordan Johnson WR 6-2 195 The class' highest-ranked player announced he was transferring May 3. Aidan Keanaaina DT 6-3 312 The former four-star recruit is working at nose tackle; played in one game in 2020. Clarence Lewis CB 5-11½ 192 Freshman surprise started six games and stabilized the field corner position late last season. Michael Mayer TE 6-4½ 249 Freshman All-American and third-team All-ACC pick last year had 42 catches, 450 yards and three touchdowns; is now the unquestioned starter at tight end. The best bet in the class to be a three-and-done draft pick. Rylie Mills DT 6-5 273 Chipped his way into 2020 rotation and played 141 snaps. The likely No. 2 DT behind senior Jayson Ademilola this year. Caleb Offord DB 6-1 184 Played in two games in 2020, mostly on special teams. Alex Peitsch LS 6-1 208 Was the backup long snapper to senior Michael Vinson last year and will be this season. Drew Pyne QB 5-11½ 194 The former top-150 prospect ended 2020 as the No. 2 quarterback behind Ian Book and is competing with graduate transfer Jack Coan for the starting job. Chris Tyree RB 5-9½ 188 The top-100 recruit with 4.4 speed held the No. 2 running back job behind Kyren Williams in 2020 and averaged 6.8 yards on his 73 carries. He was also the primary kick returner. His workload could increase despite the same role. Xavier Watts WR 6-0 199 Played in two games in 2020; competing for the backup slot receiver role behind senior Avery Davis. Sophomore Class Review Drew Pyne has pushed for the starting quarterback job more than most thought he would. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS