Spring Ball Opponent Updates
Notre Dame is in the middle of spring ball and many of their 2021 opponents are practicing as well. Unless anything unexpected happens, they should all be able to have a complete spring practice schedule.
Here’s a quick rundown of the buzz being generated by some of the teams the Irish are facing this season and what it might mean for the fall.
Virginia Tech working to replace top players
Notre Dame travels to Blacksburg again this year, but it’s probably going to be a lot less of a high-profile matchup than it was back in 2018. The Hokies are 72nd in returning production in 2021 and they aren’t the kind of program that recruits well enough to make up for that.
They have to find replacements from probable first round picks OT Christian Darrisaw and CB Caleb Farley (opted out last season). They have settled on Braxton Burmeister at quarterback after Hendon Hooker transferred and they lost RB Khalil Herbert. He was one of the most explosive backs in the country last season with nine runs of 30 yards or more.
The Athletic’s Andy Bitter seems pretty optimistic about how they’ll replace that talent after what he saw from a recent open practice, but I would be surprised if we didn’t see a step back from a top-10 rushing offense.
Chryst taking back control at Wisconsin
The big story to follow is head coach Paul Chryst going back to being the play-caller and Graham Mertz being healthy after playing through a shoulder injury through parts of last season. This plus the fact that they have 84% of their production returning on offense is something to make note of because the defense is always strong (fourth in FEI last season) and Jim Leonhard turned down the defensive coordinator position with the Green Bay Packers to stay at Wisconsin.
It’s reasonable to expect an offense that finished 98th in FEI last season to be significantly better.
USC is still an enigma
After a season that was successful enough for Clay Helton to keep his job, it’s still a mystery as to how good the Trojans will be. The offensive line is the biggest area of concern for them heading into the spring as they have to replace Alijah Vera-Tucker at left tackle.
It’s been reported that Courtland Ford has been getting reps with the first team at left tackle this spring. He played one game at guard last season and this will be the first full-season of play for the former 3-star recruit.
The scheme might limit the running game, but finishing 114th in yards per carry last season was more about the blocking than the scheme. The line is an issue. They added running back Keontay Ingram as a transfer from Texas, but the backfield didn’t lack talent before his arrival.
The passing game still has a chance to be special with Drake London emerging as the top dog at receiver. Everything else is up in the air for the Trojans.
On defense, USC lost nickel back Max Williams for the season with a knee injury and are already without their other nickel, Greg Johnson in 47th year with the program, who is rehabbing a knee injury from last year.
Spring game for FSU this weekend
The big (non) development for Florida State this spring is that they’re still undecided at quarterback. It’s a three-man race between Jordan Travis, Tate Rodemaker, and UCF transfer McKenzie Milton. Milton was the presumed favorite because of his success a few years ago at UCF, but nothing has been handed to him.
There are positive reports about Georgia transfer Jermaine Johnson and how he has looked in the spring. He was formerly the top junior college recruit in the country. They badly need someone like him to step up as an edge rusher with Josh Kaindoh and Janarius Robinson gone this season.
Downs going up at UNC
North Carolina is losing a lot of skill talent on offense, but it sounds like former top-100 recruit Josh Downs is ready to play a lead role replacing Dyami Brown at receiver.
After only three receptions during the regular season, Downs caught four balls for 91 yards and two touchdowns in their bowl game. He’s been their best receiver this spring according to Mack Brown.