Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/651219
as the previous year, yet that is the case with the return of top 2014 rusher Tarean Folston and record-setting 2015 freshman Josh Adams. In sophomore kicker Justin Yoon (15 of 17 on field goals last year as a freshman) and junior punter Tyler Newsome (44.5 yards per punt), Notre Dame should have one of the nation's better tandems there. Defensively, the return of fifth-year senior nose guard Jarron Jones, side- lined virtually all of 2015 with a knee injury, should provide a quality nu- cleus up front to complement senior Isaac Rochell, junior Andrew Trum- betti and sophomore Jerry Tillery. WHO WILL BE THE STARTING QUARTERBACK, KIZER OR ZAIRE? Do not expect this to be answered at the end of spring. Kizer started the final 11 games last season in place of the injured Zaire and would appear to have a slight nod, while Zaire battles back from his fractured/dislocated ankle. Both possess impactful leadership skills that could make them captain material. 2016 SPRING NOTES Start of Spring Practice: Wednesday, March 16. End of Spring Practice: Saturday, April 16, 12:30 p.m. (ET), Blue-Gold Game in Notre Dame Stadium. Practice Notes: The 15 allowed practices are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the morning, with scrimmage work on Saturdays … The Irish will be off on Easter Break from March 25-28. 2015 Returning Starters On Offense: 6, QB DeShone Kizer, RB Josh Adams, OT Mike McGlinchey, OG Quenton Nelson, WR Torii Hunter Jr. and TE Durham Smythe. Offense Notes: RB Tarean Folston started in 2014, but was sidelined with a knee injury in 2015 … QB Malik Zaire was the starter the first two games before a season-ending fractured ankle … Smythe was the starter the first two games, but not again until the Fiesta Bowl after recovering from two surgeries. 2015 Returning Starters On Defense: 5, DL Isaac Rochell, NG Daniel Cage, SLB James Onwualu, CB Cole Luke and FS Max Redfield. Defense Note: Jarron Jones was a starting tackle/nose guard, but missed the regular season because of an MCL tear. Cage started seven games in his place, and Jerry Tillery three. 2015 Returning Specialists: 3, K Justin Yoon, P Tyler Newsome and LS Scott Daly. COACHING STAFF Head Coach: Brian Kelly — 7th Year Associate Head Coach/Wide Receivers: Mike Denbrock — 7th year Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks: Mike Sanford — 2nd year Running Backs: Autry Denson — 2nd year Tight Ends/Special Teams Coordinator: Scott Booker — 5th year Offensive Line: Harry Hiestand — 5th year Defensive Coordinator: Brian VanGorder — 3rd year Defensive Line: Keith Gilmore — 2nd Year Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator: Mike Elston — 7th year (second with linebackers) Defensive Backs: Todd Lyght — 2nd year