Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/350567
make a big jump," Cooks said. Numbers are not a problem at wide receiver. What is lacking is an aircraft carrier figure such as a Jeff Samardzija (2005-06), Golden Tate (2008-09), Michael Floyd (2008-11), Tyler Eif- ert (2010-12) and even TJ Jones (the 2010-13) whom an opposing defen- sive coordinator needs to game plan around. Senior DaVaris Daniels comes clos- est to that description, but he has had not yet earned the trust of the staff with his day-to-day work habits and attention to detail. This is where ju- niors Chris Brown and C.J. Prosise must evolve to become more complete receivers. Brown caught 15 passes last year, a career-high five of them for 54 yards in the bowl win versus Rutgers. A one-trick pony as a freshman with the "go" route, Brown has gradually been expanding his game, and Russell cited him as one of the more improved wideouts in the spring. "He is getting out of his breaks much quicker," Russell said. "He's selling different routes that he's not running." More consistent hands also will be vital for Brown and the 6-0½, 220-pound Prosise, who was in a learning stage last year (seven catches for 72 yards) after moving from safety. Prosise is rotating with senior Amir Carlisle at the slot to provide different physical dimensions and attributes at the position. "The physical traits are off the charts from a strength standpoint and ath- letic ability," offensive coordinator/ receivers coach Mike Denbrock said of Prosise. "I don't think anybody is far enough along where they've just separated themselves [at receiver]." Long snapper Scott Daly found a niche for himself as last year's starter in that capacity, while safety Nicky Baratti, offensive lineman Mark Har- rell, and outside linebacker John Turner will attempt to do the same this year. Baratti played on special teams as a freshman and also had a crucial goal-line interception off a Michigan halfback pass in the 13-6 Irish victory. Multiple shoulder surgeries sidelined him last season, and in this spring's Blue-Gold Game an injury to his right shoulder didn't need surgery but will likely require him to wear a harness. How much that will aid or encumber him is to be determined. Harrell is caught in a logjam with more veteran players in the offensive interior, but his ability to line up at guard or center should reap benefits down the road. Turner is in line to be one of the top surprises in 2014. He didn't crack the two-deep at safety last year, but his skill set at 6-0½, 217 worked well at Sam linebacker in VanGorder 's sys- tem. Turner worked with the No. 1 unit throughout the spring. "At safety he was maybe over- matched a little in the quickness area, but now he's a quick, fast outside linebacker," Irish outside linebackers coach Bob Elliot said. "Granted, he's a smaller outside linebacker than we would like him to be, but he didn't know he was making this move until right before spring ball. I'd like to see what he looks like at the end of the summer." ✦