Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME Matthias Farley At Nickel Back By Dan Murphy At the start of spring practice, head coach Brian Kelly sounded confident that Notre Dame would find a place to use the experience and athleticism of senior Matthias Farley. It didn't take long. The former starting safety moved to cornerback to try to free up some space in the logjam in the middle of Notre Dame's secondary. It looks like he won't make it all the way to the outside, though. Farley has settled into a role as the team's top nickel back — a position that has kept him on the field frequently this spring. Because of Far- ley's abilities and the new defense the Irish plan to run in 2014, he is in line to have the biggest impact of any player who is settling into a new spot this season. A dearth of experience in the front seven will force Notre Dame into using more nickel and dime packages this year. Especially under new coordina- tor Brian VanGorder, the defense is moving toward a lineup based on speed instead of size. Farley looked overwhelmed at times last season at safety, but with less traffic to direct and a chance to play closer to the ball, Farley may be able to take advantage of the athleticism that originally got him on the field in 2012 as a redshirt freshman 11-game starter in his first year as a defensive player. The arrival of fifth-year senior transfer Cody Riggs, who played nickel back at Florida, will provide a challenge to Farley for playing time. But an extra spring in VanGorder's system should help him com- pete for the top spot. Amir Carlisle At Slot Receiver By Andrew Owens Like Farley, senior Amir Carlisle is hoping a posi- tion switch will spark him after 2013 turned sour. Last season, Carlisle's playing time at running back diminished following a fourth-quarter fumble at Purdue in the team's third game of the season. He carried the ball just 17 times in the final 10 games after doing so on 30 occasions the first three weeks. He also finished with just seven receptions for 30 yards. F i n a l l y h e a l t hy a f- ter suffering an injury in each of his first two springs at Notre Dame, the production did not follow. This spring, Carlisle has returned to the basics with his move to slot receiver, and he hopes to carry some of the tenets of a ball carrier with him. While the Irish can (and have in spring practice) motion Carlisle to the backfield from the slot, they are developing his pass-catching skills to help bolster the receivers. Carlisle's speed and shiftiness will suit him well at the new position, assuming he can consistently catch the football. He admitted in March that he experienced frustration when 2013 went south and added that it has taken a bit of a mental ad- justment, but he has looked the part during Notre Dame's 15-session spring practice. With Carlisle and junior C.J. Prosise (sophomore Torii Hunter Jr. can also play slot receiver, but has spent more time outside this spring), the Irish are hoping the position will become more of a factor in their reinvented offense in 2014. Point ✦ Counterpoint: WHICH PLAYER AT A NEW POSITION THIS SPRING WILL HELP NOTRE DAME THE MOST? FARLEY CARLISLE