Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM PRESEASON 2024 37 tionally, is competing with sophomore Drayk Bowen for the middle linebacker starting spot. Similarly, do not be surprised if West Roxbury (Mass.) Catholic Memorial's Guerby Lambert, the top offensive re- cruit in Notre Dame's class, has a pre- season camp ascension that earns him the starting right tackle position. The two current competitors are uncertain options in Tosh Baker and previously prized recruit Aamil Wagner. Unlike the other top-100 players in the class, Lambert enrolled in the sum- mer instead of the winter. Another name to know on offense is Charlotte (N.C.) Christian product Mi- cah Gilbert, a four-star and early en- rollee. Although he was not a top-100 prospect, On3's No. 6 player in North Carolina and No. 32 wide receiver in the nation had a terrific spring. If this was 2023, Gilbert would have had a legitimate chance to lead the Irish in production. At 6-foot-7, 258 pounds, Bryce Young, Gilbert's teammate at Charlotte Chris- tian, has college-ready size. He is also the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive lineman Bryant Young. The defensive line depth chart is loaded, but like the others on this list, so is Young's potential. SURPRISE BREAKTHROUGHS? Notre Dame's cornerback depth chart rivals running back for the thinnest on the roster. Behind prized NFL Draft prospect Benjamin Morrison — who missed most of the spring following shoulder surgery — the only cornerbacks who have logged snaps with the Irish are sophomore Christian Gray, junior Jaden Mickey and senior Chance Tucker. Former three-stars Leonard Moore and Karson Hobbs — the country's Nos. 42 and 56 cornerbacks, respectively, in the 2024 class — may have to play. Cincinnati Moeller's Hobbs is also cross-training at nickel, while Round Rock (Texas) High's Moore has the poten- tial to become a lockdown cover corner. Safety is not as thin as cornerback but is still light on experience. Behind Xavier Watts and Northwest- ern graduate transfer Rod Heard II — who transitions from cornerback — are true sophomores Adon Shuler, Ben Minich and Luke Talich. That is where Taebron Bennie-Powell out of West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West could crack the lineup. The four-star was On3's No. 13 overall recruit in Ohio and No. 27 safety nationally. Bennie-Powell also has special teams potential, as does former three-star linebacker Bodie Kahoun and safety Kennedy Urlacher, the son of Pro Foot- ball Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher. On3 ranked Roanoke (Va.) Patrick Henry's Kahoun as the No. 70 linebacker in the class, while Chandler (Ariz.) High's Ur- lacher was On3's No. 88 safety. One deep sleeper is Canadian prod- uct Sean Sevillano Jr, who has the po- tential to become the program's fu- ture nose tackle. The Clearwater (Fla.) Academy International graduate is 6-1, 320 pounds and fast off the ball. All- American Howard Cross III and veteran Gabriel Rubio are ahead of On3's No. 54 defensive lineman in the 2024 class. An even deeper sleeper is four-star wide receiver Logan Saldate. The Sali- nas (Calif.) Palma pass catcher led his school to a state title. Following an out- standing senior season, he climbed the rankings to become On3's No. 53 wide receiver in the class. Lastly, look for preferred walk-on quarterback Anthony Rezac out of Omaha (Neb.) Westside to potentially see the field on special teams. He is com- peting to be kicker Mitch Jeter's holder. WAITING IN THE WINGS These players all have the potential to play at Notre Dame but might not be relied on this year. They are likely to redshirt this season. During the spring, Saline (Mich.) High quarterback CJ Carr flashed his potential to become Notre Dame's fu- ture signal-caller. However, the quar- terback room is as deep as it's been in years, providing the former four-star prospect the opportunity to focus on mastering the offense this season. He was On3's No. 16 quarterback and No. 232 overall player in the class. Williams shares similar potential but is also behind several veterans. He and Carr have a close connection off the field that will translate on the field soon enough. Offensive linemen Knapp, Styles Prescod and Peter Jones hope to move up the depth chart but are better suited to be scout team players this season. On3 ranked Roswell (Ga.) High's Knapp, Fishers (Ind.) Hamilton Southeastern's Prescod and Malvern (Pa.) Prep's Jones as the Nos. 5, 15 and 67 interior offensive linemen in the class. Hoschton (Ga.) Mill Creek defensive lineman Cole Mullins is in a similar po- sition, while Irish defensive line coach Al Washington determines whether the former three-star is better suited to play end or tackle. Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward four-star defensive lineman Loghan Thomas, Fort Wayne (Ind.) North Side three-star safety Tae Johnson and Omaha (Neb.) Westside three-star linebacker Teddy Rezac — the twin brother of Anthony Rezac — should have the attention of football perfor- mance director Loren Landow. Adding muscle and gaining good weight will be their No. 1 priority this year. ✦ Canada native Sean Sevillano Jr. — a 6-1, 320-pound nose tackle — could be a sleeper to make an impact for the Fighting Irish this fall. PHOTO BY CHAD WEAVER