Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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fense. Only in the past month or so since camp have I understood more concepts. Once you understand the concepts it comes much easier." While Robinson's father — former NBA star David Robinson — is familiar to Irish fans, Onwualu's high school should ring a bell because of its past connections to Notre Dame. Before Onwualu, other former Irish players that graduated from CretinDerham Hall High School in St. Paul, Minn., include wide receiver Michael Floyd, left tackle Ryan Harris, running back Rashon Powers-Neal and tight end Marcus Freeman. Onwualu has made six tackles in three games as a special teams contributor and has seen the field as a wide receiver, primarily as an effective blocker. After never picking up a weight prior to his arrival at Notre Dame, he is working to build up his strength in order to vie for more playing time. "I felt fine," Onwualu said when reflecting back on his first day in a weight room last winter. "[Seniors] TJ Jones and Daniel Smith were people that helped me out with all of that. I got used to it pretty early." Turning The Corner Freshman cornerbacks Cole Luke and Devin Butler have immediately impacted the team's secondary. Luke has been the go-to nickel back in 2013 and, naturally as a freshman, has been a target of opposing offensive coordinators. Luke, however, has held his own. "It's good and bad," he said. "If I was an offensive coordinator, I'd go after the freshman, too. In high school, they never threw to my side, but now I like that [they throw to my side] because it gives me more opportunity to play the ball and make plays." Butler noted the experience and knowledge of starters Bennett Jackson and KeiVarae Russell as reasons for his ability to make an impact early. In the first half of the season, Butler appeared at cornerback — and was even on the field at the same time as Luke against Purdue — and on kickoff coverage. "Skill first and the capacity to pick up what we're asking him to do have allowed Luke to play, but Devin Butler has been able to do that, too," Kelly said. "Both of those freshman corners have shown not only the physical ability but the mental capacity to be able to go in there and compete." Five-star safety Max Redfield expressed frustration at not seeing the field defensively in the first half season while being limited to special teams duty, but said he is working to improve his game. Kelly continues to say that the freshman is close to making the rotation. "I still don't have everything down like I want to," Redfield said. "I'm still making the little mistakes that you need to get down to be a contributor in the game. That's obviously why I'm not there. "It's a process, like the coaches keep telling me. I've tried to accept it, but it's still frustrating." Not Running Away When the touted Florida running back duo of Greg Bryant and Tarean