Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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lighted by completing some clutch throws while directing the drive that culminated with the game‑winning field goal. While many Irish faithful will be ea‑ ger for Kelly to name a starting quar‑ terback by the end of spring, it might be comparable to last year when he didn't do so until August (and then in December too) to keep both engaged mentally. With Zaire's dramatic ascent at the end of last season, this time the competition appears much more le‑ gitimate. Finally, there is the option of iden‑ tity. Does Notre Dame want to con‑ tinue the game plan of a physical style employed against LSU, or with its plethora of wideout targets does it revert to an "Air Kelly" show? Often when you try to be great at everything, you are good at nothing. The game plan against LSU was ideal for one game, and Zaire had nine months to recover from carrying the ball a game‑high 22 times. Gener‑ ally, that kind of volume is not rec‑ ommended during a 12‑game regular season in which the cumulative effect of so many hits can take their toll on a quarterback who also needs to pass the ball regularly. POSITION OVERVIEWS QUARTERBACK TOP TOPIC: Kelly has to wear his salesman cap so he can market to his quarterbacks the idea of shar‑ ing time. As competitors, neither could be thrilled to languish on the sidelines. Would Golson stay in 2015 if he is not anointed the starter? In the meantime, current freshman De‑ Shone Kizer can always use the les‑ son of 2014 Ohio State third‑string QB Cardale Jones as inspiration. PROJECTED STARTER: Golson's 23 starts might still give him the slight nod over Zaire's one, but this is far from guar‑ anteed. RUNNING BACK TOP TOPIC: It will be an all‑Florida look in the backfield this spring with new running backs coach Autry Den‑ son (Lauderhill) and what will be the 2015 junior tandem of Tarean Folston (Cocoa) and Greg Bryant (Delray Beach). Denson said both will get used to his hard style. "They're Florida boys, they don't know anything different," Denson said. "… I'm going to coach them the way I was coached. Luckily they're used to that and that's what they want." With only two scholarship running backs in the spring, the reps will be abundant. "The way you get better is you play more football," Denson said. "They'll both get a chance to play a lot of foot‑ ball, they'll get a chance to adjust to what my coaching style is. That's what spring is for." PROJECTED STARTER: Folston has been one of the more underrated players on the team despite rushing for 600 more yards than anyone else last season. WIDE RECEIVER TOP TOPIC: All six of last season's top wideouts return, led by Will Fuller. As a sophomore last season, Fuller tied the school record for touchdown receptions