Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Williams might not be as advanced as Adams, but the Orlando, Fla., na- tive has shown off big-play skills. Wil- liams has the speed and agility to be a threat to take the ball the distance every time he touches it. "I love both the freshmen running backs," Denbrock said. "Now, they have no idea about whether we're slid- ing the protection to the field or the boundary, or what the check means, or any of that stuff. But just the natural ability to get out in space and run the ball, and ability to see slivers and hit it up there, they both have done a really good job." If Prosise returns to good health, their battle will be for the third run- ning back spot, but throughout Kelly's tenure the third running back has been needed. In all but one season (2010), the third and fourth running backs on the depth chart have carried the ball between 74 and 135 times. POTENTIAL SPECIAL TEAMS IMPACT A number of freshmen are unlikely to crack the positional rotation, but could still find a role. Kelly has not been shy about putting rookies on special teams, and that trend could continue. Linebackers Josh Barajas and As- mar Bilal were consensus four-star re- cruits and both possess a combination of athleticism and toughness. Notre Dame's strong depth and experience at the position might make it difficult for the pair to crack the linebacker ro- tation, plus an injury slowed Barajas, but both could challenge for other roles. A trio of defensive backs could also work their way into a role on special teams. Safety Mykelti Williams is not yet in position to work up the safety depth chart, but could find himself in contention for a role on the coverage units. The same can be said for fresh- man cornerback Ashton White, who has played with toughness and a chip on his shoulder throughout camp. Players with that type of attitude are attractive special teams options. One freshman that has worked into a number of different roles during special teams periods has been safety Nicco Fertitta. Although Fertitta lacks ideal size — listed at just 5-8½ and 185 pounds — his combination of speed, toughness and instincts are ex- actly what a special teams coordinator wants on his coverage teams. It would not be a major surprise to see some of these players on the Irish kicking units. The one difference be- tween this group and freshmen from seasons past is that a role on special teams will have to be earned. Kelly's team is not in position to play fresh- men out of need — which has been the case his first five seasons. "For a true freshman to get on that team, he's going to have to do some- thing extraordinary for us," the Irish head coach explained. "I think we're going to have a mature group, some veteran guys on there that are going to really enhance that group without having to throw a bunch of true fresh- men out there." LIKELY TO REDSHIRT Notre Dame's returning depth should afford the Irish coaches an op-