Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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and can do so much for you in that respect," the Irish head coach noted. "We've put him up against everybody, and he can run past you and go up and get the football." Another rookie working himself into the rotation is slot receiver CJ Sanders, a young player with electric athletic skills. "CJ Sanders is elusive and can cut at full speed, which is rare," Kelly said. "We haven't had that in my time here. It's been something that has been lack- ing. … Some of our guys have straight- line speed, but they don't have the ability to cut at full speed." Notre Dame's safeties and lineback- ers have had a difficult time matching up with Sanders in coverage and the speedy freshman has made a number of big plays in camp. Kelly has noted that he still needs work on the techni- cal part of the game, but his speed has put the Irish coaches in a position where they have to find a way to get him on the field, even if it is in the return game. FIGHTING FOR A SPOT IN THE ROTATION Linebacker Te'von Coney is in the difficult position of being the backup to All-American Jaylon Smith. Unless Smith ultimately gets moved outside, Coney's opportunities at linebacker are going to be limited. However, Co- ney's combination of toughness, ath- leticism and instincts should still put him in prime position for a role on the Irish special teams. "Te'von is doing really well. We're putting a lot on Te'von, and he's han- dled it really well," linebackers coach Mike Elston said. "It's important to him, he works hard and he's an ag- gressive kid. … Te'von could help us on special teams. Whether that takes precedence over development at line- backer, that's up to Coach Kelly and Coach Booker." Cornerback Nick Coleman has been one of the top surprises of the class. A Freshman tight end Aliz'e Jones overcame a neck injury to shine in fall camp and now finds himself in position for a role in the Notre Dame offense. PHOTO BY JOE RAYMOND