Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/514677
keeps him from working through his progressions with the necessary tim- ing. Once Kizer 's fundamentals im- prove, his physical tools will better flourish. 8. Wide Receiver/Tight End — All four of Notre Dame's wide receiver/ tight end recruits were ranked as four- star players and key figures in the class. Receivers Corey Holmes and Justin Brent are gifted athletes, but neither has yet produced enough to warrant a spot in the Irish two-deep. Both had opportunities during the spring, but Holmes did not always consistently catch the football while Brent struggled with his technique and being account- able on the field. Nic Weishar had a good spring, showing off the athleticism and ball skills that made him one of the na- tion's top tight end recruits. However, he must develop more strength and girth before he makes a serious run at the tight end rotation. Fellow tight end Tyler Luatua emerged as a needed run blocker last season, finishing the campaign with a strong performance in the bowl victory over LSU. After dropping 10 pounds to improve his agility, Luatua struggled consistently blocking in the run game. Over the summer, he will need to get his strength and focus back so he can again be the solid run blocker Notre Dame needs him to be. ✦ Bryan Driskell played quarterback at Salisbury Uni- versity from 1997-2000 and coached seven years at the collegiate level, highlighted by four conference titles and a Division I-AA national championship at Duquesne in 2003. He coached 10 all-conference play- ers and two All-Americans. Driskell joined the Blue & Gold Illustrated staff as a football analyst this April. Sophomore Class Review Players Signed In February: 23 Players Available in 2015: 22 (Three-star linebacker Niles Sykes transferred to Indiana prior to the start of the 2014 season). 2014 Recruiting Rankings: Scout.com (No. 6), Tom Lemming/Max Preps (No. 7), 247Sports (No. 10), Rivals.com (No. 11) and ESPNU (No. 11) Name/ Comment Pos. Ht. Wt. Alex Bars* OL 6-6 316 Future is at tackle, but will compete to start at left guard in 2014. Grant Blankenship DE 6-4½ 252 Still developing more strength and girth, but will be in the two-deep this fall. Jonathan Bonner* DE 6-3 275 Role in the two-deep will be determined by how quickly he recovers from his turf toe surgery. Justin Brent WR 6-1½ 205 Will play a role on special teams despite not cracking the two-deep at receiver this spring. Jimmy Byrne* OL 6-4 295 Will look to push for a spot in the two-deep at guard, but likely still a year away.