Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/424772
UNDER THE DOME Kelly's five seasons in- cludes this year 's top rusher (running back Tarean Folston), top re- ceiver (wideout Will Fuller) and top tack- ler (linebacker Jaylon Smith). • Tw e l v e j u n i o r s (fourth-year seniors in 2015) — This includes cornerback KeiVarae R u s s e l l , a 2 6 - g a m e starter in 2012-13 who was shelved this season because of the academic fraud investigation. He has vowed to re-enroll in the summer of 2015. That adds up to 78 players out of 85 al- lowed by the NCAA. Therefore, there are seven remaining grants- in-aid remaining to give out either to 1) potential fifth-year players in the current senior class and 2) prospective recruits still on Notre Dame's wish list. The 2015 Fighting Irish have 16 fifth-year senior possibilities. Alphabeti- cally, they are: corner- backs Josh Atkinson and Jalen Brown, slot receiver Amir Carlisle, outside linebacker Ben Councell, wide receiver DaVaris Daniels, nickel back Matthias Farley, quarterback Everett Gol- son, inside linebacker Jarrett Grace, offensive guard Conor Hanratty, safety Eilar Hardy, cen- t e r / o ff e n s i v e g u a rd Taking The Fifth Among the 16 players available to apply for a fifth season — and that news generally isn't officially released until after National Signing Day in February and prior to spring practice — here is our breakdown: Best Bets: Quarterback Everett Golson, slot receiver Amir Carlisle, offensive linemen Nick Martin and Matt Hegarty, Mike linebacker Joe Schmidt and nickel back Matthias Farley. All are or were starters or prominent figures this season and would be in 2015 as well. It would be a surprise if any of these six don't return. On The Bubble: Wide receiver DaVaris Daniels, defensive end Ishaq Williams, offensive guard Conor Hanratty, linebackers Ben Councell and Jarrett Grace, and safety Eilar Hardy. Daniels and Williams must first gain readmission into school in the summer of 2015 before their football futures can be determined. Hardy might use his fifth season at another school, especially if he can gradu- ate this December and be eligible in 2015. Grace has had a long way to go medically from his leg injury. Even if he did return, the Mike linebacker potentially would have Schmidt and current freshman starter Nyles Morgan. Is it worthwhile to return? Same with Councell, who saw action mainly on special teams this season. Hanratty has six career starts and would supply quality depth. It depends on how the staff feels about the development of current sophomores Colin McGovern and John Montelus, plus freshmen Quenton Nelson, Jimmy Byrne and Sam Mustipher, and if there is room. If one of the top six doesn't return, it becomes more feasible. Least Likely To Return: Cornerbacks Josh Atkinson and Jalen Brown, and defensive linemen Chase Hounshell and Anthony Rabasa. Other then Rabasa temporarily, they have not been on the two-deep this fall despite attrition at their positions. Using the fifth season at another school would appear to be their best opportunity to receive extensive playing time in 2015. — Lou Somogyi