Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/772134
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com FEBRUARY 2017 19 along with redshirted freshman Tony Jones Jr. This could result in Folston either declaring for the draft or finding a place to transfer where he can get more consistent carries in his fifth season. Numerous Notre Dame run- ning backs under eighth-year head coach Brian Kelly have made NFL rosters in recent years without get- ting drafted: Armando Allen, Robert Hughes, Jonas Gray, Cierre Wood and George Atkinson III. Those who were drafted — Theo Riddick (sixth round) and C.J. Prosise (third round) — were shifted from other positions for their senior years. That leaves right guard McGovern and guard/tackle Bivin for possible fifth years. McGovern started eight games in 2016, but lost his spot at the end of the year to Harrell. He has twice in- jured his knee and suffered multiple concussions. That injury history and a likely battle with either redshirt sophomore center Tristen Hoge (who also has worked at guard) or redshirt fresh- man Tommy Kraemer — both promi- nent recruits — might prompt Mc- Govern to not return for a fifth season, similar to Conor Hanratty (who also had multiple concussions) in 2015. Bivin has no path to a starting po- sition, but could have a Harrell-like role in 2017 if he wants to return. ✦ Roster Management As of Jan. 10, Notre Dame's breakdown by class year, not including fifth year prospects, was as follows: • 18 fourth-year seniors now that quarterback DeShone Kizer (declared for the NFL Draft) and wide receiver Corey Holmes (will graduate this summer and transfer in August) will not return. Linebacker Nyles Morgan and left guard Quenton Nelson submitted their names for NFL evaluation. Morgan has stated he will return, while Nelson hasn't officially said anything (he has until Jan. 16). • 22 juniors, including wide receiver/return man Chris Finke, who was awarded a scholarship this past August. The group includes redshirt sophomore tight end Alizé Jones, who was ineligible academically last fall. • 23 sophomores, with 14 having played this season as freshmen, the most in head coach Brian Kelly's seven seasons with the Irish. • 16 verbal commitments so far in the class of 2017. That takes our count to 79, six short of the NCAA limit of 85. Two fifth-year seniors — offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey and tight end Durham Smythe — already have indicated they will return in 2017. That elevates it to 81, which leaves at least four more fifth-year prospects or 2017 recruits. However, at the end of National Signing Day last year, Notre Dame had potentially 90 players on its roster, which needed to be cut to 85 by August. By the end of August, the count was less than 85. Attrition is inevitable between now and August. — Lou Somogyi POSITION SENIORS JUNIORS SOPHOMORES FRESHMEN QUARTERBACK Montgomery VanGorder Brandon Wimbush Ian Book Avery Davis RUNNING BACK Justin Brent Josh Adams Tony Jones Jr. C.J. Holmes Tarean Folston#* Dexter Williams Deon McIntosh WIDE RECEIVER Miles Boykin Chase Claypool Michael Young Chris Finke Javon McKinley C.J. Sanders Kevin Stepherson Equanimeous St. Brown TIGHT END Tyler Luatua Alizé Jones Cole Kmet Jacob Matuska#* Brock Wright Durham Smythe# Nic Weishar OFFENSIVE LINE Alex Bars (T) Tristen Hoge (C/G) Parker Boudreaux (G) Aaron Banks (T) Hunter Bivin#* (G) Trevor Ruhland (G) Liam Eichenberg (T) Dillan Gibbons (T) Jimmy Byrne (T) Tommy Kraemer (T) Robert Hainsey (T) Mike McGlinchey# (T) Joshua Lugg (T) Colin McGovern#* (G) Sam Mustipher (C) Quenton Nelson (G) DEFENSIVE LINE Jonathan Bonner (E) Micah Dew-Treadway (T) Daelin Hayes (E) Darnell Ewell (T) Daniel Cage (NG) Elijah Taylor (T) Khalid Kareem (E) Kurt Hinish (T) Jay Hayes (E) Brandon Tiassum (NG) Ade Ogundeji (E) Jonathan MacCollister (E) Peter Mokuwah (NG) Jerry Tillery (T) Julian Okwara (E) Andrew Trumbetti (E) LINEBACKER Greer Martini Josh Barajas Jamir Jones David Adams Nyles Morgan Asmar Bilal Jonathan Jones Drew White Te'von Coney CORNERBACK Nick Watkins Nick Coleman Julian Love Elijah Hicks Shaun Crawford Troy Pride Jr. Ashton White Donté Vaughm SAFETY Drue Tranquill Nicco Fertitta Jalen Elliott Isaiah Robertson D.J. Morgan Spencer Perry Devin Studstill LONG SNAPPER John Shannon PLACEKICKER Justin Yoon PUNTER Tyler Newsome Returning starters in bold; # fifth-year senior; * return not confirmed yet NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIP ROSTER BY POSITION AND CLASS FOR 2017