Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com PRESEASON 2021 19 guard. He is facing an uphill battle to beat out graduate transfer Cain Mad- den, junior Zeke Correll and a few others. Notre Dame awarded him first-team work in the opening fall camp practice, though. Moala might be the front-runner for Notre Dame's rover job if not for a torn Achilles suffered last October. He was impressive in limited 2019 playing time as Jeremiah Owusu- Koramoah's backup and claimed that spot again in 2020 before his injury. Instead of fortifying his case this spring, Moala sat out while recover- ing and watched junior Jack Kiser and graduate student Isaiah Pryor stake their claims. Kiser feels like the favorite, but nothing is official yet. Moala's prior play carries enough intrigue to earn a shot. "I've watched some old film where he did play," Freeman said. "Paul, he's a little different than a fresh- man, because for you to be on the field in meaningful games for Notre Dame football, you have to be a good player." SUMMARY In all, the 2018 class could produce four late-bloomer senior starters with high-impact potential if Aus- tin, Lenzy, Simon and Griffith keep ascending. That's probably the best case. It also could produce two, one or none if there's not satisfactory progress. The range of outcomes for the 2018 class is still wide, from success to disappointment. The closer to the former it gets, the more of the former Notre Dame may have in 2021. ✦ Players Signed: 27 Players Available In 2021: 16 (tight end Tommy Tremble left a year early for the NFL, offensive lineman Cole Mabry retired from football due to medical reasons, plus nine have transferred: safety Derrik Allen to Georgia Tech, cor- nerback Noah Boykin to Massachusetts, defensive lineman Ja'Mion Franklin to Duke, center Luke Jones to Arkansas, wide receiver Micah Jones to Illinois State, quarterback Phil Jurkovec to Boston College, linebacker Jack Lamb to Colorado, defensive end Ovie Oghoufo to Texas and running back Jahmir Smith to Appalachian State) 2019 Recruiting Rankings: No. 9 by ESPN, No. 10 by 247Sports, No. 11 by Rivals Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Jayson Ademilola DT 6-3 280 Former top-200 recruit is stepping into a starting role after two strong sea- sons as a backup. Justin Ademilola DE 6-1¾ 255 Rotation player the last two seasons who can play either defensive end spot — his likely role in 2021. Derrik Allen S 6-2 208 Former top-150 recruit transferred to Georgia Tech after two seasons as a reserve. Made 13 tackles in his first season with the Yellow Jackets. Kevin Austin Jr. WR 6-2 215 Rivals' No. 88 overall recruit in 2018 has played in two games since 2019, but is viewed as an offensive centerpiece heading into 2021. Bo Bauer LB 6-2¾ 233 Longtime special-teams ace has made himself a sub-package and third-down staple with his blitzing skills. Noah Boykin DB 6-2 185 Transferred to UMass after one season. Started all four games in 2020, mak- ing 15 tackles. TaRiq Bracy CB 5-101/8 177 Contributor in 2018 and 2019 who lost his starting job late last season. Com- peting to be the slot corner in 2021. DJ Brown S 6-03/8 200 Was Notre Dame's primary nickel back in 2020, with mixed results. Compet- ing for a starting safety spot. John Dirksen OL 6-51/8 306 Has played mainly on special teams his first three seasons. C'Bo Flemister RB 5-11¼ 201 Has rushed for 461 yards and 10 touchdowns in his career and is the likely No. 3 running back in 2021. Ja'Mion Franklin DT 6-1 310 Deep reserve for two-plus seasons, transferred to Duke this past winter. Houston Griffith S 6-0¼ 202 Class' highest-ranked player (No. 43 overall) considered a transfer after three seasons as a backup, but returned and is competing to start. Micah Jones WR 6-5 220 The former four-star recruit played in five games from 2018-20, with no catches. Took a graduate transfer to Illinois State. Luke Jones OL 6-5 310 Transferred to Arkansas after a redshirt season in 2018. Played 10 games as a backup for the Razorbacks last year. Phil Jurkovec QB 6-5 226 Much-ballyhooed top-100 recruit transferred to Boston College after two seasons as a backup. Started 10 games and threw 17 touchdown passes for the Eagles in 2020. Lawrence Keys III WR 5-103/8 176 Has caught 18 passes in three seasons and is competing for a rotation role. Jack Lamb LB 6-4 230 Former top-100 recruit was a sub-package staple in 2019, but battled injuries throughout his career. Took the graduate transfer route to Colorado in January. Braden Lenzy WR 5-113/8 182 Averaged 18.9 yards on 24 touches in 2019, but hamstring injuries limited him to seven catches (three games) in 2020. Likely the starter at field receiver. Cole Mabry OL 6-5 286 Played in one game before medically retiring last summer. Paul Moala LB 5-11½ 222 Special-teams standout for three years and the No. 2 rover in 2019-20. Tore his Achilles in 2020. In the mix to start at rover. Ovie Oghoufo DE 6-3 237 Totaled 22 tackles and 2.5 sacks in three seasons as a backup. Went to Texas as a graduate transfer in January. Jarrett Patterson OL 6-4½ 307 Started 21 games at center from 2019-20 and will start there again this season. Shayne Simon LB 6-2¾ 233 In and out of the starting lineup in 2020 and competing to start at Will line- backer again in 2021. Jahmir Smith RB 5-11 200 Ran for 223 yards as a backup before departing the team midway through 2020 to focus on his mental health. Later became a graduate transfer to Appalachian State. George Takacs TE 6-6 247 No. 4 tight end the last two seasons (five catches) is the favorite to earn the No. 2 job as a senior. Tommy Tremble TE 6-4 248 No. 2 tight end from 2019-20 caught 35 passes and was a standout blocker. Drafted in third round (83rd overall) by the Carolina Panthers in April. Joe Wilkins Jr. WR 6-1½ 195 Occasional 2020 contributor (seven catches) had a strong offseason and is in the mix to start. Senior Class Review