Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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situations could develop. Four of the rookies are either rehabilitating from major surgery or just recently underwent it: • Randolph had surgery performed at Notre Dame on a pre-existing shoulder problem that will sideline him in 2013. • Hunter suffered a major break in his femur last winter preparing for the U.S. Army All-American Game. X-rays revealed that the healing has finally taken a turn for the better, and just the fact that he was able to dress for practice was a surprise while getting acclimated to running again. • McGovern was cleared to fully practice Aug. 17 after coming off MCL surgery this winter. • Montelus is in a rehab phase from shoulder surgery this spring but has not yet been cleared to dress for practice. Back on National Signing Day in February, McGovern was listed at 280 pounds while Montelus was 305. Since then they've had gains of 33 and 35 pounds to weigh in at 313 and 340, respectively. McGlinchey also added 10 pounds, and his number 68 at right tackle can represent his rounded off height: 6-8. Bivin and McGlinchey have worked with the second unit, but there is enough flexibility with Elmer, senior Christian Lombard and junior Conor Hanratty, or even junior center Nick Martin, to fill those gaps if injuries occur. Eighteen of the last 19 Notre Dame offensive line recruits from 2007-12 were eligible to apply for a fifth season, with Trevor Robinson the excep- tion. Elmer has made enough progress to end that string, but it would be a surprise if someone else joined him this year. Kelly stated that tight ends Heuerman and Smythe need more physical development and he would rather not rush them into action. "We can't afford to lose a tight end," Kelly said. "There are three guys right there [juniors Troy Niklas and Ben Koyack and senior Alex Welch]. The other two freshmen are physically not there yet." On the other hand, the 6-4¼ Matuska — who also excelled at tight end in high school — saw his physical development take root the past six months. He was listed at 255 pounds on National Signing Day, but is now 275. Like Jarron Jones last year, a redshirt year still would seem to be in the cards. The corner position — which could potentially have veterans and special teams regulars Jalen Brown and Josh Atkinson on the third unit — has enough bodies where Kinlaw and Butler might not need to be called on yet either, unless help is needed on special teams. Mike linebacker Deeb is someone who could be classified "on the bubble" for rookie action. Like Rochell, Deeb has demonstrated advanced strength for his age and is fanatical in his devotion to conditioning. On July 15, he did 24 bench-press reps of 225 pounds. That might put him in position to play on special teams, but he also could be like current Mike linebacker and junior Jarrett Grace, who traveled as a freshman but did not play. ✦