Blue and Gold Illustrated

June-July 2014

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

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own despite not playing in the second half of several big blowouts. KEY PLAYER: Sophomore Jesus "Bobo" Wilson played in 13 games in his first season with Florida State, but caught only three passes for 27 yards during his time on the field. He's small (5-9, 177 pounds), but for a group that loses deep threats Kenny Shaw and Kelvin Benjamin, he could provide some of- fensive fireworks with his speed. SPRING OUTLOOK: Crab legs, baseball games and a post-Heisman hangover weighed on redshirt sophomore Ja- meis Winston during the spring. Head coach Jimbo Fisher said the entire team got off to a slow start in spring ball, but eventually hit its stride. The Seminoles remain a favorite to repeat as national champions next season, but a changing of the guard on defense and a new set of challenges for Win- ston showed that another dominant march like their 2013 campaign will be harder to put together. VS. NAVY • NOV. 1 2013 RECORD: 9-4 LAST MEETING: Notre Dame 38, Navy 34 (2013) TOUGHEST TO REPLACE: Only three play- ers in the country made more tack- les last season than Navy linebacker Cody Peterson. The former Midship- man had 142 stops for a defense de- signed to funnel the ball toward the middle of the field. His loss is mag- nified by the fact that fellow inside backer DJ Sargenti (110 tackles) also graduated. Navy eventually moved outside linebacker Jordan Drake in- side this spring in its ongoing search to replace his productivity. KEY PLAYER: Sophomore wide receiver Jamir Tillman gives Navy its deep ball threat in the rarely used passing game going forward. Navy's wide receivers are used largely as blockers, but Till- man (who has an NFL pedigree) could keep opposing defensive backs a bit more honest next season. He's an up- grade from graduated starters Casey Bolena and Shawn Lynch. SPRING OUTLOOK: Much of Navy's spring workouts were overshadowed by the tragic death of rising sophomore Will McKamey. The 19-year-old slot back collapsed during a practice in late March and died with a swollen brain three days later. Navy cancelled more than a week of practice while regroup- ing. On the field, junior quarterback Keenan Reynolds is expected to set program records in the rushing game next fall. Reigning Hesiman Trophy winner and redshirt sophomore Jameis Winston has had an eventful offseason, playing baseball for the Seminoles and also being arrested for shoplifting crab legs. PHOTO COURTESY FLORIDA STATE

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