Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com PRESEASON 2017 33 different blitzes, and what to do on each one of them at each position," he said. Last year's Irish offensive line had only 27 career starts entering the season. This year that number has swelled to 76, which is even more than the 2015 unit that had 68, led by first-round pick Ronnie Stanley and second-round selection Nick Martin, and was the heart and soul of the 10-3 campaign. The most in- experienced player on that unit was McGlinchey, who had only one ca- reer start, but his development was facilitated by the return of four other starters. "I can help Tommy especially," Bars said of playing next to Krae- mer, the one new starter this year. "I played there last year … we've been talking through a lot of stuff and fig- uring it out together." Whereas Bars enrolled as a tackle and is now a guard, Mustipher ar- rived as a guard before shifting to center for the first time in his football playing days in 2015 to start groom- ing as the heir to Martin. A case of the "yips" with the snap- ping temporarily emerged midsea- son last year before it was ironed out. This spring, Kelly placed Mustipher right up there with McGlinchey and Nelson as a team leader even if "cap- tain" was not next to his name. That has continued through the summer and 11 practices in August. "He was beyond reproach in every- thing … as an engineering student, excelling in the classroom," Kelly said. "His summer was outstanding in terms of the way he transformed himself physically, but as a leader as well." The two backups behind Mustipher this spring, Tristen Hoge and Parker Boudreaux, transferred to BYU and Central Florida, respectively. How- ever, similar with Bars working with Kraemer, Mustipher's guidance with junior Trevor Ruhland, a former guard, has better solidified the cen- ter position. "If you'd ask [offensive line coach] Harry [Hiestand], Ruhland has graded out well, which was impor- tant for us to have a backup center," Kelly said. Mustipher 's development also is benefitting junior quarterback Bran- don Wimbush, a first-time starter. "Sam not only has the experience but has the knowledge to put a lot of the protection checks and things that centers are required to do, especially with a younger quarterback," Kelly said. "Sam has taken a lot of that re- sponsibility on his shoulders." The head coach did admit that fa- tigue took a toll on Mustipher last year as the fourth quarter rolled around, but there has been an appre- ciable difference this August. "Sam was one of those guys that, at times, conditioning … you worried a little about him at times," Kelly said. "There's no worry about that with him at all." "I expect to be a guy the team can count on every down to get the job done and snap the football to the quarterback, go execute the block," Mustipher said succinctly of his ob- jectives this season. "Getting set right away, getting my hand on the foot- ball as fast as possible and just going from there. "We've communicated a lot be- fore, but now we just communicate more and are more sure of ourselves. I know what to study now going into games and tape … "It's now just jell- ing more with the guys, becoming a master of what we have offensively and being an expert on what the de- fenses are going to run as well." Like in 2015, the 2017 Notre Dame unit is expected to "lay it on the line." ✦ Bars shed 10-12 pounds, gained explosiveness and looked great in fall camp, with head coach Brian Kelly noting that he "has really put himself in position to be an elite player." PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA