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rushing situations. "They're more third-down pass rushers, they're situational players," Kelly said of Williams and Hill. "... Fresh, come off the edge on their third- down situations and get the quarter- back. These guys can do that." Blankenship played linebacker, de- fensive line and tight end during his senior season, so there wasn't much of a focus on one position and he seemed in line for a redshirt season. However, with senior Ishaq Williams removed from the lineup Aug. 15 pending an academic investigation, Blankenship suddenly found himself as the No. 2 strongside end to sophomore Isaac Rochell and was "in line" to play. Be- cause he is more physical than Wil- liams, he might have a chance to line up on more than just third-down pass- ing packages. "He can mix it up and play in there down in and down out," Kelly said of Blankenship. Martini probably was the top sur- prise in the class the first two weeks while jostling into a backup role at Will linebacker, behind All-America can- didate Jaylon Smith. His competition for that role included fifth-year senior Kendall Moore and sophomore Doug Randolph, a high school teammate at Woodberry Forest in Virginia. "He's a Joe Schmidt with really good size, a really smart football player," Kelly said of the 6-2½, 230-pound Mar- tini. Speaking of Schmidt, popular pre- season projections had Notre Dame's top-rated 2014 recruit — the 6-1, 230-pound Morgan — moving past him. However, this is not a 2013 Jay- lon Smith-like carbon copy for Mor- gan. Not as much responsibility was thrust on Smith at his position in 2013. Even Manti Te'o, a five-star recruit, was quite confused as a freshman line- backer in the middle on the maligned 2009 defense. Morgan could be to this class what safety Max Redfield was in 2013. Red- field arrived with huge fanfare, but the safety position requires much think- ing and leadership for others on de- fense that a freshman is not primed to handle. Mike linebacker might be even more difficult in that capacity for Morgan this year than safety was for Redfield. Morgan will play, but Kelly warned it's going to take time, just like it did with Redfield (whose first start came in the bowl game). "He's totally overwhelmed," Kelly said on Aug. 13. "But it doesn't matter because he runs all over the place." The staff will find a way to get Mor- gan on the field in spots, especially if Grace cannot complement Schmidt. Constructively tamping down his on- field temper (a la Lynch, who drew several personal fouls in 2011) also might be a goal. "He gets into more scuffles than any player I've coached in a long time," Kelly said. "He's just a tough, hard- nosed kid that runs all over the place and it's fun to watch. "Does he know everything and the ins and outs of the defense? He does not. He's trying, but he's way over his head. He's so athletic and so instinc- tive that he runs sideline to sideline and makes plays." At 325 pounds, Cage was a conspic-