Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com APRIL 2018 23 WHO'S GONE Equanimeous St. Brown His junior year was disappoint- ing, but him leaving early for the NFL saps the roster of its most pro- ductive pass catcher. Kevin Stepherson A new down-field threat needs to be found after he was kicked off the team for a litany of arrests and violations. WHO'S BACK Junior Chase Claypool The top returning receiver displayed flashes of big-time talent in 2017, but he is limited this spring after December shoulder surgery. Senior Miles Boykin Hoping to build on his memorable 102- yard performance in the bowl victory over LSU. Senior Chris Finke His 16 career catches are the third most on the current roster, and his two touchdown catches are tied for second. Sophomore Michael Young The electric athlete provides big-play po- tential and made a clutch fourth-quarter scor- ing catch in the Citrus Bowl. Fifth-year senior Freddy Canteen The graduate transfer from Michigan medi- cally redshirted in 2017. TOP NEWCOMERS Freshman Micah Jones The early enrollee from the 2018 class adds outstanding size (6-5) and ball skills. Sophomore Jafar Armstrong Redshirted last year, he also will get a chance to earn playing time at running back. Junior Javon McKinley Injured in November of his freshman year and redshirted last year because of leg sur- gery, he is finally healthy and ready to climb up the depth chart. BY THE NUMBERS 2 Sophomores who red- shirted last season that will cross-train while aiding the wideout corps. Quarterback Avery Davis both threw and caught passes in the initial spring practice March 6, while Jafar Armstrong split his practice reps at running back and wide receiver. 4 Members of the "S Troop" at receiver gone from last year because of four dif- ferent reasons. In addition to Equanimeous St. Brown (NFL) and Kevin Stepherson (discipline), there is gradu- ate transfer Cameron Smith (out of eligibility) and C.J. Sanders (graduate transfer elsewhere). 73 Career receptions by the current wideout corps, led by junior Chase Claypool's 34 (29 last season). Just four years ago, Irish sopho- more Will Fuller snared 76 himself. WIDE RECEIVERS 2018 SPRING FOOTBALL PREVIEW Brian Kelly's Take "We've got some receivers coming that I think are going to be able to be counted on in the depth. We're not blessed with a lot of depth right now … there's a lot of work to be done." PHOTO BY ANGELA DRISKELL POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH A battle will rage this spring to see who joins senior Miles Boykin and junior Chase Claypool in the starting lineup. Senior Chris Finke is a precise route runner with sure hands, which is why he went from a walk-on to a part of the rotation. His steadiness will keep him in the discussion. Sophomore Michael Young is more dynamic with greater upside. Keeping him off the field will be difficult. It is a big spring for junior Javon McKinley, who is finally healthy and poised to make a push for more playing time. N otre Dame will be without its two most impactful wideouts, with Equanimeous St. Brown off to the NFL and Kevin Step- herson now off the team after multiple arrests over the winter (and sentenced this month to 180 days in jail, only 47 with good behavior). Vital to position coach DelVaughn Alex- ander is to turn potential into production. Junior Chase Claypool has a chance to become the alpha figure, but he'll need to mature his game and become more consis- tent from an effort and focus standpoint. Shoulder surgery in December will limit him this spring. If his game develops, Clay- pool's size (6-4, 229) and athleticism will present matchup issues for opponents. Senior Miles Boykin lacks Claypool's ath- leticism, but he's shown a knack for making plays in the rare opportunity the ball has come his way. The first time he was given a leading role was the Citrus Bowl matchup against LSU, and Boykin responded with 102 yards, including a 55-yard touchdown after a one-handed grab with 1:28 left in the game to give the Irish the win. Sophomore Michael Young is a potential breakout player who brings speed and af- ter-the-catch ability the 2017 offense lacked. If it happens Notre Dame's screen game will improve next season. Junior Javon McKinley was a highly ranked recruit (No. 59 overall by Rivals) in the 2016 class, but injuries have slowed him thus far. CHASE CLAYPOOL Returning Returning Year-End Year Starts Receiving Yards/TD Receiving Yards/TD 2017 22 2,000/19 1,716/15 2018 10 1,066/8 —