Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/542018
UNDER THE DOME "Truth is, this year's Fighting Irish team looks a lot more capable — athletically, at least — of being a national title contender than that bunch did in 2012. ND returns 19 starters — 20 if you count the return of its top DB, KeiVarae Russell, who missed all of 2014 for his part in the academic dishonesty case. But it's more than just the sheer experi- ence the Irish has back; it's the front-line talent. It has been a couple of decades since Notre Dame has had athleticism like it does this season at some key positions." —FOX Sports' Bruce Feldman on why Notre Dame is built to win a national championship this season. Please add Sales Tax if you live in NC (7.5%), MI (6%), or IN (7%) Blue & Gold Illustrated P.O. Box 2331 Durham, NC 27702 1-800-421-7751 Visit our online store! www.BlueGoldOnline.com Notre Dame Favorites! 11 oz. Ceramic Mug Sets #6260 Vault Design or #6261 Map Design $24.95 + $6.50 S&H Blue & Gold Magazine Binders Item #6099 $24.95 + $6.50 S&H Leather iPad Media Case Item #6567 $99.95 + FREE S&H JHONNY WILLIAMS LEAVES; ISHAQ WILLIAMS RETURNS TO SCHOOL A couple of Notre Dame defensive ends named Williams (no relation) who did not play last year were in the news this June. Sophomore Jhonny Williams, who redshirted last season, is transfer- ring from Notre Dame, and his destination remained unknown when Blue & Gold Illustrated went to press July 14. The 6-4, 260-pounder from nearby Benton Harbor, Mich., announced the move with a June 11 post on Facebook: "Friends, family, loved ones, I will be transferring from the University of Notre Dame to pursue a foot- ball/academic career elsewhere, thank you for your support." Classified by Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly last August as maybe the team's best speed rusher off the edge along with classmate Kolin Hill, Williams was hard-pressed to crack the two-deep this year. Senior Romeo Okwara and Andrew Trumbetti returned as co-starters on the weak side, with junior Doug Randolph and Hill in the mix for action as well. Trumbetti also played on the strong side when he and Hill were inserted on passing situations. Also returning on the strong side is junior Isaac Rochell, who started all 13 games last season. Rochell moved into the starting slot last August when then-senior Ishaq Williams was removed from the team and eventually left school because of an academic investigation. Williams returned to school this summer, but his status on the foot - ball team is still unclear. The defensive end's father, Shaun Williams, told the South Bend Tribune that he didn't know about work his son needs to complete before he can rejoin the squad. Kelly said through- out the spring that Williams' return in 2015 is "complicated" and he couldn't guarantee a scholarship would be available to him. The Brooklyn, N.Y., native appeared in 35 games from 2011-13. He started once in 2013 but was projected as a starting defensive end in 2014 prior to his suspension. He recorded 45 tackles and one sack his first three seasons.