Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/542018
UNDER THE DOME Junior QB Malik Zaire Is The Centerpiece By Lou Somogyi On head coach Brian Kelly's most veteran and deep- est team at Notre Dame, all eyes are on Zaire, who has one career start but has yet to play a full game. Zaire is in a position similar to 1990 sophomore Rick Mirer replacing three-year starter Tony Rice. Zaire will be sur- rounded by future NFL players everywhere but absolutely must remain healthy. Prior to the 1990 sea- son, injured and ineligible backup QB Jake Kelchner transferred to West Vir- ginia, leaving only true freshmen B.J. Hawkins and Kevin McDougal behind Mirer. He burst out of the gates, making the Sports Illustrated cover after his first start, but faltered later in the 9-3 finish. This year, after Everett Golson's transfer to Florida State, the reserves behind Zaire are sophomore De- Shone Kizer, who barely had any reps this spring and sat out last season, and true freshman Brandon Wimbush. True, Golson was a first-time starter dur- ing the 12-1 campaign in 2012 — but the Irish had a safety net with Tommy Rees, a 16-game starter who helped save four games that season. Zaire probably will need to run for about 600 or more yards (especially with running back Greg Bry- ant suspended the first month), but he also must consistently prove himself as a downfield passer. Zaire thrived in the Music City Bowl win, but it was Golson who was called on to do most of the clutch passing, including on the final march. No one on the team will carry a heavier burden entering 2015 than Zaire. Junior Safety Max Redfield Must Live Up To His Ability By Bryan Driskell As good as I think Zaire will be this season, the emergence of Redfield could serve as the biggest catalyst for the Irish. If Zaire is just okay, Notre Dame can still win because of all the talent that does in fact surround him. Defensive coordina- tor Brian VanGorder is tasked with turning the Irish defense into a championship-caliber u n i t . H i s a g g re s s i ve schemes require strong play at safety, which is why Redfield becomes so important. Despite f i n i s h i n g s e co n d o n the team with 68 tackles last season, the for- mer five-star recruit struggled with consistency and had a minimal impact on the opposition's passing game, finishing with just three passes defensed. Notre Dame will have one of the best corner- back duos in the country in junior Cole Luke and senior KeiVarae Russell. This should allow VanGorder to be more aggressive with how he pressures opponents, but regardless of how cre- ative his schemes are, they will not work against the better teams on the schedule without good safety play. A breakout season from Redfield, one that in- volves him improving in the pass game, would provide a significant boost to the Notre Dame defense. He is a tremendous athlete with great range and toughness. If Redfield does play to his immense abilities this season, the Irish defense will get the lift it needs to lead the way. Point ✦ Counterpoint: WHOSE EMERGENCE IS MOST VITAL TO NOTRE DAME'S 2015 SUCCESS? ZAIRE REDFIELD