Notre Dame Wideouts Boast Improved Depth, Need Go-To Receivers to Emerge

Notre Dame’s wide receiver room returns 64 catches for 794 yards and eight touchdowns from the season prior.

Despite the lack of proven producers, wide receiver coach Chansi Stuckey feels significantly more confident in the current wideouts compared to the 2022 edition.

It largely has to do with the depth of the room. This time last August, the group was so thin that Xavier Watts had to cross-train at wideout and safety.

“It's remarkable. We send out two and a half groups right now,” Stuckey said. “When everyone's healthy, that play is at a high level.”

Two weeks into fall camp, the first team likely consists of Jayden Thomas (boundary) Chris Tyree (slot) and Tobias Merriweather (field).

Matt Salerno, Deion Colzie, Jaden Greathouse and Rico Flores make up the second team while occasionally intermixing with first-team members. 

“Our top seven guys can play anywhere,” Stuckey said. “Our second group can probably push for starting time at another place and that's what you want to create, that lifeline of multiple, multiple guys coming in year-in, year-out that are competitive that can play and that deserve playing time. 

“No matter if you start or not, you still need to warrant putting you on the field and that's what a lot of our guys have done, so that's a great problem to have.”

Of course, Notre Dame wants more than a solid rotation of receivers. The program needs breakout stars to emerge as go-to wideouts. 

The arrival of graduate transfer quarterbacks Sam Hartman increases the likelihood that a few wide receivers do so. 

Several Wake Forest wide receivers made noticeable year-to-year jumps in production with Hartman as a starter.

In 2019, the Demon Deacons lost their four top pass catchers, which accounted for 206 catches, 2,934 yards and 27 season touchdowns. The following season, Wake Forest desperately needed a go-to wideout to emerge on the roster that lacked proven production. 

That fall, junior Jaquarii Roberson snagged 62 catches for 926 yards and eight touchdowns, an increase of 49 receptions and 846 yards from the season prior. 

Roberson produced career highs in 2021, but the Demon Deacon offense truly took off once Hartman took advantage of A.T. Perry as a down-the-field threat. He hauled in 71 passes for 1,293 yards and 15 scores compared to 211 yards and one touchdown in 2020. 

Hartman should be able to have a similar impact on the Notre Dame wide receivers due to their rapport.

The wideouts give him feedback on their preferences, from route running to ball placement, which ultimately puts them in a better position to succeed.

“It’s comfortable because it’s someone like Sam, who’s a great leader,” Jayden Thomas said. “He’s open to listening. He also gives great advice because he’s been in this game so long. It’s easy. Off the field, we have a great connection, so it’s easier to have those conversations with somebody who’s your best friend.”

Thomas remains the leading breakout candidate after producing 24 catches for 353 yards and three touchdowns over Notre Dame’s final 10 games. 

He followed that up with four grabs for 71 yards and a score in the first half of the Blue-Gold Game with Hartman as his team’s quarterback. 

“Obviously you want to be that guy who everybody feels comfortable with to make the big plays at the end of the game, but also I want to be that leader for our room,” Thomas said. “This is the most talented I’ve ever felt like this room has been.”

A major reason why is Merriweather, a 6-foot-5 receiver with the speed to take the top off the defense. He snagged just one ball as a freshman in 2022, but it was a 41-yard touchdown catch. 

Merriweather has the potential to eventually produce like an A.T. Perry if the nuances of playing the position click. 

“He's matured so much,” Stuckey said. “He's taken a leadership role. We had a great summer, and like any receiver, even ones who are playing the NFL, there's always room for improvement and route running and understanding.”

Tyree also seems headed for a productive year after moving from running back to wide receiver in the spring. 

He improved substantially in catching the ball and as a route runner. Now, he just needs in-game experience to go up another level. 

“There'll be another jump once he starts playing games of understanding what people are trying to do to him,” Stuckey said, “and what's the scouting report on him and how can I break those things and get away with tendencies.”

At least within the room, expectations for this group are high. 

“I think the sky's the limit for us,” Tyree said. “I think no one has reached their full potential so far. And I think because Freeman has made it really clear that that's what we're trying to do throughout camp and throughout the season, is to reach our full potential.”