Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME CJ Sanders By Andrew Owens Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly indicated at his Feb. 4 press conference that incoming kicker Justin Yoon will immediately start with the graduation of senior Kyle Brindza. Outside of Yoon, there are several 2015 recruits that could make signifi- cant contributions this fall. With 20 of 22 Music City Bowl starters return- ing, there isn't room to crack the starting lineup for the incoming fresh- men, but that doesn't mean there aren't roles to carve out. Wide receiver CJ Sanders has been compared by some to former Irish receiver and NFL Pro Bowler Golden Tate, and for good reason. Sanders is the type of explosive athlete that Notre Dame rarely signs. While there is a logjam at wide receiver — it might be Notre Dame's deepest position — Sanders can immediately enhance the special teams units. With the exception of the first two games of 2014 when it appeared that fifth-year senior Cody Riggs had ignited the punt return unit, that area has rarely been a positive since Kelly arrived in 2010. If Sanders can lock down the role in August, he can be a vital piece in improving field position and could even reach the end zone. He could have the same type of impact on kickoff returns, where the Irish have been average since George Atkinson III scored two touchdowns as a freshman in 2011. There are other players who can step in and help on offense and defense, but Sanders' contributions on special teams could be the difference in a close game. Aliz'e Jones By Lou Somogyi Figuring out which Notre Dame freshman in this year's 24-man class will get on the field right away against Texas Sept. 5 is easy. On National Signing Day, head coach Brian Kelly declared kicker Jus- tin Yoon the starter. The runner-up probably is 5-9 safety Nicco Fertitta, who Kelly said will start on all four special teams. He projected the same for receiver James On- wualu in 2013 and safety Drue Tranquill in 2014, and it proved clairvoy- ant. Receiver CJ Sanders as a return man is also a good pick. Now, who among the freshmen might get the most snaps on offense or defense? On defense, safety Mykelti Williams and tackle Jerry Tillery come to mind. With Williams it's based on a numbers need at safety, where Tranquill had to help last year. With Tillery, Kelly believes he has a potentially dominant lineman, which is why he shifted him to defense. Tillery also is an early en- rollee who will have a chance to assimilate and get a head start this spring. On paper, Aliz'e Jones might be the most pru- dent pick for three reasons. One, tight end is the least experienced unit on the team (one career catch). Two, Jones was considered maybe the best at his position in the prep ranks. Three, the 6-5, 220-pound Jones possesses the frame and skills to create matchup problems — something Kelly always seeks. Jones won't be an in-line figure, but one senses Kelly wants to find a role for him as a flex tight end. Point ✦ Counterpoint: WHICH SIGNEE WILL HAVE THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON THE 2015 SEASON? SANDERS JONES