Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME He has shown flashes during his career, but he elevated his game this past spring and looks to be both a vertical and scoring threat on a consistent basis. Like McGlinchey, he redshirted in 2013 and is eligible for a fifth year in 2017. That, however, depends on just how productive he is this fall. "Torii Hunter looks like he's going to be the No. 1 receiver going into the year and certainly has excel- lent bloodlines," Wright said. "He's got good size and is a great athlete, and there's a lot of catches to go around with what Notre Dame has lost at that position. "It's going to be a big opportunity for him." DESHONE KIZER, QB Kizer might be the least likely of this group to even be in the 2017 NFL Draft, but he has the size and attributes that scouts at the next level covet. Yet the first step for the Toledo, Ohio, native is to hold on to the starting signal-caller position this offseason — and then during the regular season— in the intense competition with senior Malik Zaire. If he does that, Notre Dame's style of offense will allow him to showcase his abilities first as a pocket passer and then also as a legitimate running threat. "He certainly appears to have all of the tools," Wright said. "He's a big guy. He can make all the throws. He's got a strong arm. He seems to have that clutch gene where he makes those big plays when it matters the most, and can move a little bit. "I was very intrigued by what I saw from Kizer. With quarterbacks, you prefer the longer they stay the better. Absolutely he has pro potential — even early-round pro potential." TAREAN FOLSTON, RB Folston suffered a torn ACL only seven snaps into his junior season in 2015, which set back his profes- sional clock a bit. The Cocoa, Fla., native considered entering the 2016 NFL Draft, but decided the smarter move was to return to South Bend and produce again follow- ing the knee injury. Even with third-round pick C.J. Prosise in the NFL, Notre Dame boasts plenty of talent at running back. Folston will be joined by sophomores Josh Adams and Dexter Williams near the top of the Irish depth chart. Technically, he is also eligible for a fifth year in 2017, but that seems extremely unlikely for some- one that has already toyed with the idea of enter- ing the draft and plays at a position where players try to keep their mileage down as much as possible before reaching the NFL. "I think [Folston] is going to come out," Wright said. "He'll be more of a day-three type of what I call a meat-and-potatoes runner. Not particularly flashy, but a good all-around player." ISAAC ROCHELL, DL Rochell enters his third season as a starter this fall and his durability has been impressive since arriving at Notre Dame. The McDonough, Ga., native figures to be a mid- round pick at worst, and could potentially have a ceiling in the first two days of the NFL Draft. "I don't know what type of upside he has in the draft with the type of player he is," Wright said. "He's not necessarily an elite edge pass rusher, but just a really good all-around player that gets better every year." While Notre Dame has used Rochell in the inte- rior at times — even starting at nose guard in the 2014 Music City Bowl win over LSU — the coaching staff likes him best at defensive end in coordinator Brian VanGorder's 4-3 scheme. JARRON JONES, DL Jones received national attention in October 2014 with his performance at then-No. 2 Florida State, which included a career-high three tack- les for loss. Jones' senior season ended before it began when he suffered a knee injury that wiped out his entire 2015 slate last August. Stamina and durability in 2016 will be prime areas that will be assessed.