Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/514677
UNDER THE DOME NOTRE DAME'S 85 'SALARY CAP' GETS CLOSER The departures of fifth-year senior quarterback Ever- ett Golson and freshman defensive end Bo Wallace in May brought Notre Dame closer to the NCAA limit of 85 scholarships. The number, in mid-May, unofficially stood at 88 — but that includes scholarships given last year to two walk-ons: current sophomore quarterback Montgom- ery VanGorder and fifth-year senior cornerback Connor Cavalaris. However, such scholarships to walk-ons are renewed year by year, not automatically for the dura- tion of one's college career. Here is the current breakdown, year by year: • Seven fifth-year seniors. The offense has center Nick Martin, slot receiver Amir Carlisle and tight end Chase Hounshell. The four on defense are Mike line- backers Joe Schmidt and Jarrett Grace, nickel/safety Matthias Farley, and incoming Cal transfer and safety Avery Sebastian. (Cavalaris, the cornerback who is a potential eighth fifth-year senior, was a walk-on put on scholarship in 2014, but the numbers crunch this year makes his scholarship status uncertain.) • Twelve fourth-year seniors — and we're including cornerback KeiVarae Russell, who is expected by everyone in the football office to be readmitted this summer. The 26-game starter in 2012-13 was not enrolled this past year because of an academic investigation, but has taken collegiate courses in his home state of Washington and is applying for readmission to Notre Dame. • Twenty-two juniors. Linebacker Jaylon Smith and wide receiver Will Fuller headline the most star- studded and balanced current Irish class at every position. • Twenty-three sophomores. This group is featured in this month's edition of Blue & Gold Illustrated. • Twenty-three incoming freshmen. This is with the absence of Wallace. Kelly indicated during the spring that a scholarship cannot be guaranteed to potential fifth-year defensive end candidate Ishaq Williams. Like Russell, he was sidelined in 2014 because of the school's academic investigation. Unlike Russell, Williams' contact with the Irish staff was much more limited, he was not enrolled at another school and his status to return is murkier and will be more challenging on the academic end. One way or another, the collegiate version of the "salary cap" will work itself out to the limit of 85 scholarship players. Chances are that prior to the season opener versus Texas Sept. 5, Notre Dame might be under 85. In addition to death and taxes, change is one of the three constants in life. KeiVarae Russell, a 26-game starter at corner in 2012-13, is expected to be readmitted to Notre Dame this summer, adding to the schol- arship crunch. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS