Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2012 Notre Dame Football Preview
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/998819
1. Right Tackle Robert Hainsey Coaches like to play freshmen because they are too good not to be on the field, not because there is a need at a position. Hainsey played last year because he was that good, not because they lacked confi- dence in Tommy Kraemer, who he rotated with all season. An advanced technician, Hainsey is poised to become a standout. 2. Wide Receiver Michael Young More juice is needed in the passing at- tack, and Young has the explosiveness to take the top off a defense and the agility to make defenders miss in space for yards after the catch. Young is being asked to play a significant role in the rotation this fall, and a huge jump in production is likely to follow. SOPHOMORE SURGE 3. Tight End Cole Kmet Notre Dame had at least two tight ends on the field for 37.2 percent of its snaps last season, so there is plenty of opportunity for a second tight end to emerge behind senior Alizé Mack. Expect it to be Kmet, a rangy athlete who showed off impressive ball skills and route running during the spring. 4. Defensive Tackle MYRON TAGOVAILOA-AMOSA He played more last season (25 snaps per game) because he had to, more so than be- cause he was just that good. In 2018, Tago- vailoa-Amosa is going to be playing because he has a chance to be an impact figure with his combination of size and athleticism. His emergence means senior standout Jerry Tillery can be kept fresh while ro- tating a playmaker on to the field. Defensive tackle Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa could develop into an impact player this year after playing roughly 25 snaps per game as a true freshman in 2017. PHOTO BY ANGELA DRISKELL 5. Rover Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Owusu-Koramoah was only 17 years old for most of the 2017 season, so he was wisely redshirted. Now a year older and stronger, his explosiveness was evident during the spring. He is still learning to fully grasp the defense, but when he knows what to do the Hampton, Va., native shows special range and skills. This is not necessarily about who will prove to be the top players down the road in this 27-man class, but which rookies have the best opportunity to make their presence felt this season. 1. Wide Receivers Braden Lenzy and Kevin Austin Like any offensive coordinator, Chip Long wants more speed and playmaking skills in his receiver rotation, and that is what this duo adds. Lenzy is a legit home run threat as a vertical runner and with the ball in his hands. Austin combines size, strength and speed as well as any receiver Notre Dame has signed under Brian Kelly. 2. Safeties HOUSTON GRIFFITH and Derrik Allen Early enrollee Griffith moved to safety halfway through the spring, and the transition was smooth. The Chicago native is intelligent and instinctive, traits that afford a chance to make an immediate impact. Ball-disrupting and rangy, Allen is arguably the best safety to sign with Notre Dame since Harrison Smith back in 2007. 3. Defensive Tackle Jayson Ademilola With the top four interior players from last season back, earn- ing playing time up the middle of the defense won't be easy. Yet Ademilola has the skill set that will be hard to keep on the sidelines: quickness, advanced hand play and a knack for getting into the backfield. 4. Rover Shayne Simon Similar to New Jersey St. Peter's Prep teammate Ademi- lola, Simon's talent is such that keeping him on the side- lines will be difficult. His athletic skills are well known, but it is his feel for the game/ football IQ that sets him apart. At minimum, he should be a special teams starter in 2018. 5. Running Backs Jahmir Smith and C'Borius Flemister The lack of proven depth and the injury history of the cur- rent Irish returning backs means the freshmen will get a chance to see game action. Smith is a nimble power runner, while Flemister has big-play potential. 2018 FRESHMAN IMPACT Early enrollee Houston Griffith im- pressed during spring practice and entered the summer No. 2 on the depth chart at Whip safety. PHOTO BY ANGELA DRISKELL 24 ✦ BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW