Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME Nick Watkins By Dan Murphy Notre Dame's 2014 recruiting class provides more depth than it does ready-to-play superstars, but there are a few players who have a chance to see meaningful minutes on the field next fall. None will have more of a chance to get involved early than four-star cor- nerback Nick Watkins. The Irish have never been shy about throwing their defensive backs into the game early. Last sea- son, Devin Butler and Cole Luke earned regular play- ing time by midseason. After KeiVarae Russell, Luke and Butler, the rota- tion at cornerback is open for Watkins to work himself into some playing time. He also is a can- didate to become the third true freshman to play nickel back in the last three years. The nickel posi- tion — and to a lesser extent the more traditional cornerback spot — gives players a chance to rely on their natural athleticism to make plays rather than worry about the complicated nuances of a college defense. It's much more conducive to early action than middle linebacker, safety or defensive line, where the Irish have other talented recruits. Watkins' biggest advantage may be coming from Dallas, one of the nation's leading hotbeds of college football talent. His school, Bishop Dunne Catholic, produced five college players this season and 11 over the past three years at schools like Texas, Texas Tech and Arkansas. He's seen numer- ous other talented opponents on Friday nights and shouldn't be shocked by the leap in competition the way some other recruits who have been big fish in a small pond might be. Nyles Morgan By Andrew Owens It's no secret that Notre Dame is extremely thin at inside linebacker now that Dan Fox and Carlo Calabrese have graduated. Junior Jarrett Grace is expected to start in one spot, but he's coming off a fractured leg he suffered against Arizona State Oct. 5 and will not participate in spring practice. That leaves a golden op- portunity for a number of inexperienced players on the Irish depth chart, and none of them are as im- portant as freshman Nyles Morgan. The four-star product of Crete-Monee High School in Crete, Ill., committed to Notre Dame Jan. 4 and is arguably the most prized signature the program received on National Signing Day, both for the short- and long-term. With the Irish still planning on splitting looks between the 4-3 and 3-4 defenses, there will be plenty of reps alongside Grace to be had. While fifth-year senior Kendall Moore, senior Joe Schmidt and sophomore Michael Deeb all have the advantage of suiting up for spring practice, it wouldn't be a surprise if Morgan passes each of them on the depth chart during fall camp. Notre Dame's recruiting misses in 2012 (zero inside linebackers) and 2011 (Grace was the only one) are catching up with the Irish, but a strong 2014 haul that includes Morgan, fellow Chicago- area linebacker Nile Sykes and Woodberry Forest, Va., product Greer Martini is viewed as one of the best at the position across the country. Point ✦ Counterpoint: WHICH NEW RECRUIT WILL HAVE THE BIGGEST IMPACT DURING THE 2014 SEASON? WATKINS MORGAN