Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/440225
UNDER THE DOME arship offensive linemen signed by Notre Dame in the eight recruiting cycles from 2007‑14, only two were not redshirted: Trevor Robinson (2008) and Elmer (2013), and both were early enrollees. ADDITIONS & (POTENTIAL) SUBTRACTIONS Come January, center Tristen Hoge and tackle Jerry Tillery will be early enrollees who will practice in the spring, potentially providing the Irish a full three units of scholarship players in spring drills, which would be a first in decades along the line. Tillery also has been mentioned as a defensive line candidate, but because the Irish could use more numbers at offensive tackle, that might be where the need is more urgent. This would be especially true if Stanley were to turn pro. There are three fifth‑year candidates along the 2015 offensive line: 2014 cap‑ tain Martin, Hegarty and Hanratty. Martin has stated he is definitely returning next season, and Hegarty is a good bet as well after starting the final 10 games at center. The issue is whether Martin will return to center and Hegarty to guard. Martin started at center in 2013 and the first three games of 2014 before a hand injury created problems with his snapping and forced his move to left guard. Hegarty then stepped in at center (as he did the final three games of 2013), but the interior never appeared to find any consistent play after the loss at Florida State Oct. 18. Hanratty, with six career starts, also is a viable option to return for a fifth season, but a numbers crunch with a potential 25‑man freshman class, after signing 23 last year, might not leave enough room. ✦ Sophomore Mike McGlinchey assumed the start- ing spot at right tackle in December after fifth- year senior Christian Lombard's career ended in December due to a lingering back problem. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA