Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/514677
If We Had To Guess … All three freshmen will line up at least on spe- cial teams, just like Morgan, Martini and Tranquill did last season. Coney acquitted himself well this spring as Smith's backup at Will, although how much he plays might be determined by Schmidt's recovery. Barajas and Bilal have the combination of size and speed ideal for special teams duty. SAFETY Freshmen: Nicco Fertitta and Mykelti Williams Need In 2015: Along with offensive tackle and defensive end, this is the top need in the 2016 recruiting cycle with at least three players needed. Cal transfer Avery Sebastian was brought in as a fifth-year stopgap measure in 2015 to complement junior Max Redfield and senior Elijah Shumate, in addition to highly valued fifth-year senior nickel back Matthias Farley, who could moon- light at safety if needed. Tranquill is recovering from ACL surgery. If We Had To Guess … At 5-9 and 175 pounds, Fertitta does not possess prototype safety size, but he is pro- jected to be a special teams demon in the mold of 2007-09 stalwart Mike Anello. Kelly already has him pegged to handle such a role in 2015. We could see Williams earning a monogram on special teams, too, because he will likely be needed at safety in 2016 with Farley, Shumate and Sebastian all in their final seasons of eligibility. CORNERBACK Freshmen: Nick Coleman, Shaun Crawford and Ashton White Need In 2015: If KeiVarae Russell is re-admitted to school as expected this summer after an academic setback last year, he and junior Cole Luke could form potentially Notre Dame's best corner tandem since Shane Walton and Vontez Duff in 2002. Sophomore Nick Watkins had an improved spring to where he might have overtaken junior letterman Devin Butler for the No. 3 role. The overall physicality has been an upgrade at corner this spring. If We Had To Guess … Speedster Crawford will be in the lineup at least on special teams, potentially as a kick return man and probably in coverage as well. He could factor in as a nickel with Farley and Watkins. It would not be a surprise if he cracks the two-deep at corner if his 5-9, 170-pound frame can hold up physically. KICKER Freshman: Justin Yoon Need In 2015: With the gradua- tion of Kyle Brindza, Kelly declared on signing day that Yoon will be the starting kicker. Kohl's Kicking ranked Yoon the No. 1 kicking prospect in the country in the class of 2015, and he also was a 2014 RayGuy ProKicker. com first-team All-American. If We Had To Guess … Yoon will be the kicker while sophomore Tyler Newsome will handle the punting. The primary battle will be which of the two handles the kickoffs. ✦ We will do our final projection of the freshman class in August's Preseason edi- tion, after the team has practiced together in pads for a couple of weeks.