Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/350567
UNDER THE DOME Defensive End Isaac Rochell By Dan Murphy The turnover on Notre Dame's defensive front (five new starters for seven positions) makes it a prime area for unexpected contributors to emerge, by necessity if nothing else. Size, strength and experience put sophomore Isaac Rochell at the top of that list of contenders for the 2014 season. Rochell held his own last year while playing in 11 games along the line of scrimmage as a true freshman. Injuries may have opened that door, but even with a healthier group intact this Au- gust there's no reason to expect him to step backward in the pecking order. Rochell said his time on the field made his offseason training much more produc- tive. Head coach Brian Kelly agreed that Rochell is growing mentally and physically. "He's a different kid than he was in the fall in that he is stronger," Kelly said. "Physically last year his legs would crumble underneath him, where now you could see he's got some bite to him." The 6-3 287-pound Georgia native has the solid base to be a run-stopping defensive end. That's an area where Notre Dame could use some help. If junior Romeo Okwara or senior Ishaq Williams — defensive ends built to rush — can't settle into a full-time role, Rochell will be a good option on first and second downs. The more time he gets on the field, the more comfortable he will become. He might not be a top-flight pass rusher heading into training camp, but the perception of his overall ability could change by season's end. Slot Receiver Amir Carlisle By Andrew Owens The 2014 campaign finds Amir Carlisle in a new position: wide receiver. Many — including yours truly — expected Carlisle to emerge amid a glut of running backs as the top option in the Irish backfield last fall, but it did not play out that way. Carlisle played often early in the season until fumbling with the Irish preserving a seven- point lead in the fourth quar- ter at Purdue in week three. He did not see the field the rest of the game and received only cameo appearances the remainder of the season with 17 carries in the final 10 contests. A position switch to slot receiver — Carlisle will still motion into the backfield and often be an option as a running back — re-energized the former USC transfer this spring, and it showed in the limited action the media observed the team. He admitted the fumble was a blow to his confidence, one that shook him up for the remainder of 2013. At slot receiver, Notre Dame can find a num- ber of ways to get the ball in Carlisle's hands and take advantage of the playmaking ability that made him such a coveted recruit out of high school. Carlisle is also one of six candidates to return kickoffs in 2014. With George Atkinson III sus- pended for the Pinstripe Bowl, Carlisle abruptly assumed the duties and averaged 27 yards per return with a long of 35. Point ✦ Counterpoint: WHAT PLAYER IS MOST LIKELY TO SURPRISE AT NOTRE DAME THIS FALL? Click here to listen to the complete discussion. ▼ ROCHELL CARLISLE