Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/783750
86 MARCH 2017 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY BRYAN DRISKELL N otre Dame's 2016 freshman class made a significant impact this past season. In total, six freshmen started on ei- ther offense or defense last season, four more freshmen were start- ers on special teams and another freshman — defensive end Daelin Hayes — was a rotation player. With so much young talent returning, there will be less of a need for the 2017 freshmen to come in and play right away. That won't, however, stop some of the incoming players from forcing their way onto the field. Here is a look at the newcomers with the best chance of contribut- ing on the field next fall: BROCK WRIGHT, TE Notre Dame had five early enrollees in the class, each get- ting a very valuable additional six months on campus. No player should benefit more than tight end Brock Wright, the nation's top player at the position. In offensive coordinator Chip Long's offense, being able to put two tight ends on the field at times is im- portant. However, the Irish tight ends struggled to handle the run game last season, and most freshmen would have similar issues. Wright, though, has size and strength beyond what one would ex- pect from a first-year player. He is a throwback tight end that is most comfortable when attached to the line of scrimmage, making him an ideal complement to players like junior Alizé Jones or senior Nic Weishar, tight ends who are at their best when lined up in the slot or out wide. DARNELL EWELL, DT Notre Dame returns plenty of bod- ies on the interior of the defensive line, but none have proven to be impact players. That could open the door for one of Notre Dame's three incoming freshmen at defensive tackle to work into the rotation. Darell Ewell is the most physi- cally advanced player of that group, and the Norfolk, Va., native has the strength needed to play right away. His lack of refined technique could limit just how effective he is early on, but his athleticism, tenacity and power should help him overcome it enough to work into the rotation right away. If the returners want to keep Ewell off the field they will have to play with far greater consistency and effort than they've shown in the past. MYRON TAGOVAILOA-AMOSA, DT Like Ewell, incoming freshman My- ron Tagovailoa-Amosa and possibly fellow freshman defensive tackle Kurt Hinish could work themselves into the rotation next season. Coordinator Mike Elko's defense needs linemen that can be disruptive, and few of the returners have dis- played that quality yet. Tagovailoa-Amosa is a natural pen- etrator and pass rusher, finishing his senior season with 18 sacks. His abil- ity to shoot gaps while maintaining power is what Notre Dame needs more of inside. He's listed at 270 pounds, so more weight and strength might be needed before he's ready for a full-time role, but a spot in the rotation — es- pecially on passing downs — is a strong possibility. ISAIAH ROBERTSON, S In a perfect world, safety Isaiah Robertson would be able to pre- serve a season of eligibility, but Notre Dame's lack of depth on the back end of the defense could make it hard to not play Robertson. He is a rangy, smart football player that was a standout on both sides of the ball for Na- perville (Ill.) Neuqua Val- ley. Robertson lacks ideal size and strength at this point, but he was a playmaker in high school, and Notre Dame needs more of those on its defense. Sophomores Jalen Elliott and Devin Studstill are the likely start- ers at safety, and classmate D.J. Morgan should be a regular ro- tation player. That leaves room, however, for Robertson to work himself into the rotation. He also could earn a major role on special teams. C.J. HOLMES, RB Notre Dame returns a loaded back- field in 2017, so working into the rota- tion will not be easy for C.J. Holmes. Being an early enrollee certainly helps, providing him a six-month head start on picking up the offense and getting time in the strength program. It also means the returning backs have no advantage on him when it comes to the new aspects of coordinator Chip Long's offense. Holmes also has the benefit of hav- ing a skill set that no other back on the roster has. The 6-0, 200-pound fresh- man can run between the tackles, but he's an outstanding pass catcher as well. Long likes to use multiple backs and prefers running backs that can catch the ball. No one on the roster does that better than Holmes. ✦ Likely Early Contributors In The Recruiting Class CHALK TALK BRYAN DRISKELL Bryan Driskell has been a football analyst for Blue & Gold Illustrated since April 2015. He can be reached at bdriskell@blueandgold.com. Incoming running back C.J. Holmes could use his pass catching skills to earn early playing time in the Irish backfield. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN