Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com DECEMBER 2016 17 gels in the 2016 Major League Base- ball Draft could also factor into the final decision for Hunter Jr., who got married during the team's bye week. Should Hunter Jr. decide to forego his senior season, it would leave Notre Dame eight non-freshman receivers in 2017. His return would bolster what could be an outstanding receiving corps. It would make sense for senior right guard Colin McGovern to re- turn for a fifth season, but he has not yet announced any plans. He started eight games this season, but injuries have ravaged his career. McGovern has twice injured his knee and suffered from a number of other ailments, including multiple concussions. That injury history and a likely battle with highly talented fresh- man Tommy Kraemer might prompt McGovern to hang up the cleats. Fellow senior Hunter Bivin com- peted with McGovern at right guard for much of spring and part of Au- gust. Bivin received his first career start Oct. 15, when the Irish hosted Stanford, and he served as the pri- mary backup at right guard and left tackle much of the season. His return remains a question mark, especially without a path to a starting position. A starting opportunity as a graduate transfer could be in his best interest. However, convincing McGovern and Bivin to return would be benefi- cial. Should either decide not to come back for a fifth season, it would leave Notre Dame with just 11 returning linemen on the roster. UNLIKELY TO RETURN Just a few months ago, quarterback Malik Zaire was on the cover of one national preseason magazine and con- sidered a dark horse Heisman Trophy candidate by Pro Football Focus. Instead, Zaire could not beat out Kizer for the starting job, and after the opener against Texas his playing time was limited. He replaced Kizer in the third quarter of Notre Dame's loss to Stanford, but was ineffective. The odds of Zaire returning are slim. Even if Kizer decides to en- ter the NFL Draft, Zaire would find himself in yet another battle for the starting position, this time with ris- ing junior Brandon Wimbush. Expect Zaire, scheduled to gradu- ate in December, to pursue an op- portunity to continue his career else- where as a graduate transfer. Running back Tarean Folston is in a similar situation. After rushing for 88 yards in the opener against Texas, Folston steadily lost playing time and carries to sophomores Josh Adams and Dexter Williams. In the four games where he re- ceived the most carries, Folston av- eraged 5.1 yards per carry, matching his average from 2014, when he led the Irish in rushing. With Adams and Williams return- ing, it is unlikely Folston suddenly will be thrust back into the role as the primary ball carrier. That could result in him either declaring for the draft or finding a place to transfer where he can get more consistent carries. Tight end Jacob Matuska is likely to be one of the seniors who will lose a roster spot to an incoming freshman. Although he helped on special teams, Matuska played only 10 snaps at tight end through the first 11 games. Not only are Smythe and juniors Nic Weishar and Tyler Luatua poised to return, but playmaking sopho- more Alizé Jones also plans to come back after missing this season be- cause of an academic suspension. Jones was poised to be Notre Dame's 2016 starting tight end after compil- ing the most catches (13) and receiv- ing yards (190) at the position his freshman year in 2015. Notre Dame is also expected to add four-star recruits Brock Wright and Cole Kmet to the roster. Wright, the top tight end in the nation according to Rivals, is slated to enroll in Janu- ary, and he has the size and physical skills to help right away. Cornerback Devin Butler was sup- posed to be one of Notre Dame's vet- eran leaders this season, but a broken foot cost him his senior season. The injury gives Butler an extra season of eligibility, but an August arrest — he pled guilty Oct. 17 to a misdemeanor resisting law enforcement charge — placed him on suspension and put his future at Notre Dame in doubt. ✦ Stay Or Go? Two Notre Dame juniors — quarterback DeShone Kizer and left guard Quenton Nelson — have to make a decision on whether to return to for their senior seasons or to declare for the NFL Draft. Early in the 2016 season, Kizer was topping a number of mock drafts. Notre Dame's season-long strug- gles and Kizer's inconsistency have caused him to drop a bit, but CBS Sports and Walterfootball.com still project Kizer as the No. 2 overall pick, while NESN has him going third overall and NFL Draft Geek fourth. Bleacher Report has him taken 16th in the upcoming draft. At 6-4½ and 230 pounds, Kizer has prototype NFL size. His erratic footwork causes him to go through bouts of inconsistency, but when he is mechanically sound he throws the ball as well as any quarterback in the country. His ability to power the ball over the middle, to throw ropes to the outside and to hit the deep ball with ease are traits scouts cherish. Kizer added 1,029 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns in his first 22 starts, which only adds to his profile. Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead still has Kizer going No. 1 overall, and has Nelson as the 18th pick in the first round. The odds of Kizer going pro early are much stronger than Nelson, but based on his current projec- tions, Nelson will likely have to at least consider the idea of leaving early. Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay of ESPN both have Nelson listed as the nation's top draft eligible guard. Pro Football Focus named Nelson to its midseason All-American team. Players have until Jan. 16 to declare for the NFL Draft. — Bryan Driskell After getting beat out for the starting job and playing sparingly this season, quarterback Malik Zaire seems likely to pursue a graduate transfer and play elsewhere next season. PHOTO BY ANGELA DRISKELL