Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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in a season with 15 and hauled in a team‑best 76 passes for 1,094 yards. It will be difficult for 2014 freshmen Jus‑ tin Brent and Corey Holmes, plus four other wideouts enrolling this summer, to crack the rotation. The "sixth" receiver from last year, junior Torii Hunter Jr., has been play‑ ing with the Irish baseball team, too, but through the first 14 games he had only one at‑bat and was used primar‑ ily as a pinch runner. There was still a huge learning curve for the young corps last season, because at this time a year ago then‑junior Chris Brown had the most career catches with 17. Now, five different players have at least 30. That should reap more re‑ wards this season. PROJECTED STARTER: Fuller is the main‑ stay. At slot, fifth‑year candidate Amir Carlisle and senior C.J. Prosise provide different stature and will likely split reps, as will Brown and rising junior Corey Robinson at the spot opposite Fuller. TIGHT END TOP TOPIC: No single position group on the team has less proven game‑day experience than tight end — which has been the strongest single unit at Notre Dame over the past 10 years. Junior Durham Smythe's one career catch represents the entire produc‑ tion level on the receiving end, while sophomore Tyler Luatua's 260‑pound frame makes him the top blocking op‑ tion. Junior Mike Heuerman (225) and sophomore Nic Weishar (237) both needed more ballast in the britches last season. PROJECTED STARTER: Although it will depend on the point of emphasis of Notre Dame returns its top six wide receivers from 2014, headlined by leading pass catcher Will Fuller and his 76 receptions for 1,094 yards and 15 touchdowns. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA