Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/871976
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com SEPT. 18, 2017 19 escapability and mobility. If you can run some zone option and keep the defense honest, I'm good with that. He doesn't have to run for 150 yards. "He's gotta be accurate, he's gotta be able to make all the throws — but he's also gotta be able to run your offense. If he's got escapability and he's mobile to keep defenses honest, you can call him whatever you want. "So I don't pigeon hole them in that sense. I think there's a lot more cross- overs. There's a number of guys that are out there right now that are called one thing that I see as something else. So I just don't subscribe to it in the manner that maybe some others do." Originally thought to have a base- ball future, Wimbush's next course of action is to brush up on his sliding skills. During this preseason, Wim- bush did lament that he hadn't truly been hit in game competition since November 2015. Even as a high school senior while leading St. Peter's Prep to New Jersey's Non-Public Group 4 state championship, Wimbush wasn't sacked until the final game. With Wimbush's ability to extend plays and as a viable running threat, recognizing how he absorbs hits and how wisely he can avoid them will be integral. "Brandon is going to run," Kelly said. "Certainly we would like to see him take the knee and slide a little bit more when necessary or when it's prudent to do so. But we don't want to take away his ability to be an athlete as well. I think he'll grow into that." The growth has just begun. ✦ Wimbush considers himself a pass-first quarterback but can beat defenses with his legs, as evidenced by his 12 rushing attempts for 106 yards and one touch- down versus Temple. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA