Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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FOOTBALL RECRUITING injuries, including missing all of 2013 with a torn Achilles tendon. In 2014, Sebastian did play in seven games and started one but was hampered by inju- ries again, including a bad ankle. "When it all plays out, we're going to be all right at safety," Kelly said. THE "MUST" NEEDS Because Notre Dame missed on a safety in the final week, has no of- fensive tackles in the class with Jerry Tillery's move to defensive tackle, and did not sign what would be consid- ered a college-ready pass-rushing de- fensive end, this was not quite classi- fied as a consensus top-10 recruiting season by the Fighting Irish. However, head coach Brian Kelly said those were not the primary needs in the 2015 recruiting cycle. "If you really break it down to the two 'musts', we needed the kicker and we needed the three in-and-out cor- ners," said Kelly, referring to the nickel position as the "in" part of cornerback. "We had to have those." With all-time leading Notre Dame field goal kicker Kyle Brindza grad- uating, and current freshman Tyler Newsome more in a punting role, the Irish landed one of the nation's elite kicking prospects in Justin Yoon. At cornerback, the Irish signed only one last year (Nick Watkins), so to get back on schedule by averaging two cornerbacks signed per season, it landed three this year. "That gives us the flexibility in our sub package, absolutely crucial," Kelly said of signing Nick Coleman, Shaun Crawford and Ashton White. "That addresses an absolute must need, and of course the kicker." ✦ Preferred Status In addition to the 24 incoming freshmen who were awarded scholarships, Notre Dame will welcome a minimum of four preferred walk-ons to its freshman class, with others still in the works. • Robert Regan, a 6-2, 200-pound quarterback from Darien, Ill. • Lincoln Feist, a 6-3, 285-pound line prospect from Rapid City, S.D. • Brandon Hutson, a 6-4, 220-pound linebacker from Harper Creek, Mich. • Devyn Spruell, a 6-3, 210-pound outside linebacker from Warren, N.J. The aim of head coach Brian Kelly and his staff is to add four to six preferred walk-ons in each class to reach a total near 20 over four years. Football Bowl Subdivision teams are limited to 105 participants (no more than 85 on scholarship) between the start of fall camp and the first game or start of school, whichever comes first. The preferred walk-ons in most cases were offered football scholarships at smaller-level schools, or sometimes even at the Football Bowl Subdivision tier, but opt to compete at a higher status. They have to come to campus early (June enrollment for summer school) and the institution will pick up the tab for housing and food during preseason practice. Preferred walk-ons also can join the team at training table. They are treated like a scholarship player, but without the scholarship money. In many cases they are sons of alumni or have other ties to the school. An example includes Irish