Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Special focus has been placed on his pass blocking. "Like most high schools we just ran the ball downhill and didn't have a lot of pass sets," he said. "It was run the ball or play action." Blue-Gold Game than the sophomore quarterback who was the Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year in 2011 while trying to learn Kelly's spread offense. While it would be premature to 4. QB EVERETT GOLSON No one created more buzz in the of those guys are exciting, electric players, but they are a heart attack for me. "You're seeing something very ex- citing, but …we've got to get them to manage the game and take care of the football. If they do that, they can really help our football team." anoint him as the starter down the 2012 road, if not at the outset, he has easily become "The People's Choice" in Notre Dame cyberspace. Like with 99 percent of inexperi- enced or young quarterbacks, there will be significant growing pains, but the prospect of potential change, es- pecially at this position, edifies the masses. "You can put Everett in the same category as [running back/slot] George Atkinson," Kelly said. "Both lished himself among the nation's premier kick returners with two scores (versus Michigan State and USC, which were a combined 21-4) last year as a freshman, he had only 10 touches as a running back (nine carries and one catch). That's way too few for maybe the 5. RB GEORGE ATKINSON III Although Atkinson already estab- team's top game-breaking threat with his combination of 4.4 speed and strong downhill running skills at a stout 6-1, 210. His 15 carries in the Blue-Gold Game averaged 8.3 yards, and his three catches were good for 18.0 yards a pop. They became mitigated with two lost fumbles, hence Kel- ly's notion of needing a defibrillator along the sidelines. "George is too good of a player for him to sit on the bench and not get involved in what we do," Kelly said. It won't be easy behind more tested seniors Wood and Riddick, but it's a welcome problem. fer" candidate from last year's fresh- man class based on body language, outside linebacker/end Ishaq Wil- liams was it. Arriving with "five-star" fanfare 6. OLB/DE ISHAQ WILLIAMS If there was a "most likely to trans- similar to defensive ends Lynch and Tuitt, Williams played on spe- cial teams but saw only 71 snaps be- hind now graduating Cat linebacker Darius Fleming. When Lynch left the program this spring, Kelly admitted that he monitored Williams too … and was pleased to discover a con- spicuous attitude change. "He's getting there," Kelly said of the 6-5, 255-pound Williams the sec- ond week of spring drills. "The light is starting to go on." Defensive coordinator Bob Diaco also noted how a better understand- ing of his job has enabled Williams, who did miss several tackles in the spring game, to learn how to com- pete at the major college level. "There are a lot less plays where he is loafing or not giving effort," Diaco said. "There are more plays when he's giving either the expected level of effort — and then also what we would consider to be exceptional effort." Whether at either outside line- enrollees this semester, cornerback Tee Shepard was the best bet for 2012 impact, while quarterback Gunner Kiel was in the limelight. However, Shepard left school prior 7. DE SHELDON DAY Among Notre Dame's three early to spring drills (USC is among his favorites now), and Kiel appears to be a prime redshirt candidate. Meanwhile, the 6-2, 286-pound Sophomore running back George Atkinson III had an "electric" spring game at running back, producing 178 total yards (124 rushing and 54 receiving) on 18 touches. PHOTO BY JOE RAYMOND 22 MAY 2012 backer position or as an end in the 4-3, Williams should make his pres- ence felt more in 2012. Day added 11 pounds to his frame since January while also display- ing advanced strength (560-pound squat, 330-pound clean), technique and work volume for his age — he doesn't turn 18 until July 1. BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED