Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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12 NOV. 21, 2016 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED UNDER THE DOME Brandon Wimbush Prepping For 2017 Sophomore Brandon Wimbush has become somewhat of a forgotten man while redshirt- ing this year behind junior starter DeShone Kizer and senior Malik Zaire. Nevertheless, the chances of him taking the first snap in next year's Sept. 2 opener versus Temple are realistic — and head coach Brian Kelly noted he would be more than ready for it. "Been engaged, learning," Kelly said of Wimbush's progress. "He's been a very good leader, cares about his teammates. He's got really good leadership skills because he knows the janitor's name here. "He just is locked in to all the little things that it takes to be a really good leader. And then he's been really good in terms of attention to meet- ings when he knows he's not going to get on the field. So he's handled himself pretty well." Projected as an NFL first-round pick next spring, Kizer understandably remained mum on his future plans. He'll discuss his options with his family after the season. "It's an experience I'll definitely look back on later down the road that will definitely help me out and teach me truly how to appreciate the wins that we get," Kizer said the week of the Army game. "Whatever comes next year comes next year … "I'm just focused on how I can better myself and what it takes for me to win games here. That next level is something completely dif- ferent, and I don't know where I fit in in that environment. I just know that right now, I fit in this environment pretty well and I've got to do whatever it takes to get a win against Army." Zaire is scheduled to graduate in December and has the option to transfer in January and use his fifth season of eligibility in 2017 at another school. OPTION FOOTBALL A DIFFERENT ANIMAL FOR JARRON JONES After taking a season-high 53 snaps against Miami Oct. 29 and earning Nagurski National Defensive Player Off The Week honors, fifth-year senior nose guard Jarron Jones took only 13 snaps (out of a pos- sible 64) in the 28-27 loss to Navy a week later. When head coach Brian Kelly was asked the next day why Jones played so little, the explanation seemed odd. "It really is a whole different animal relative to option," Kelly said. "He's got a job to do, and he can't be the kind of force he was in a traditional offensive set because he's got to play gap and he has a re- sponsibility. If they choose to run triple option, even if he's a force and he's destroying his guy and he's getting upfield, they are going to pull the ball and work the ball out to the perimeter. "So you could take a Jarron Jones out of the game, even if he's being disruptive, and so it really neu- tralizes players like him when you play a team like Navy." The natural perception that then developed is because Notre Dame defenders over the years have had a history of suffering knee/leg injuries against Navy or other academy teams because of their penchant for cut blocking, Jones was more vulnerable (including a 2014 ankle injury he suffered versus the Midshipmen). With his 6-5 height, straight up power game and previous knee issues (including an MCL tear that sidelined him during the 2015 regular season), he seemed like an ideal candidate to be the next victim. Because Army's triple option was next on the schedule, Kelly was asked whether Jones, a top NFL prospect, again would see limited time versus the cut blocks. "We'll find out," he replied. "… One guy does not stop the option. Preparation is important. That's all I'll say." The inference was that Jones didn't prepare well for the option for Navy, and when pressed further, Kelly reiterated his stance. "You gotta prepare for the option," Kelly said. "Gotta prepare every day for it." When asked if Jones asked to see limited action against Navy, Kelly danced around the inquiry. "I think all of our guys get … equal opportunity to prepare during the week, and then we're going to play the guys that prepare to play the option," he said. "And so each and every week we've got a number of guys that … you've seen the amount of guys we're playing on defense. "They all get reps and they all get a chance to get in there. And it'll come down to preparation, and if they prepare the way that they need to prepare, they'll all get a chance to play." Although he is redshirting this season, Wimbush has been engaged and learn- ing while also being a good teammate and leader. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA Jones saw action on only 13 out of a possible 64 snaps in Notre Dame's 28-27 loss to Navy Nov. 12. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA