Notre Dame Improving at Crucial Spots Following Spring Ball
Notre Dame’s quarterback room has been the focus of spring football since Ian Book’s departure following the 2020 season. This spring was no different as all eyes were once again on the Irish quarterbacks with Riley Leonard’s transfer into the program to compete with three talented younger signal callers.
Leonard’s ankle clean-ups prevented him from playing in Saturday’s Blue-Gold Game, but the Duke transfer was taking mental reps behind each play, going over footwork and reads.
On the field, Steve Angeli, Kenny Minchey and CJ Carr shined at various times during the game, which included all three throwing touchdown passes.
Angeli finished 17-of-25 for 228 yards and two touchdowns, while Minchey completed 12-of-19 balls for 123 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Carr, an early enrollee, finished his first game in Notre Dame Stadium 15-of-23 for 165 yards and one touchdown.
Head coach Marcus Freeman knew he had a talented group on paper entering the spring and believes all his quarterbacks took positive steps forward over 15 practices.
“I was really pleased with what I saw,” stated Freeman. “A lot of good. You never want to turn the ball over, which we did. I loved the decision-making just from being back there and watching them. They’ve been progressing all spring.”
Only Angeli was rocking the red jersey, signaling no contact, which was to benefit the young quarterbacks as they were thrown into the fire but also to help the defense learn how to finish plays.
“It was good to have Kenny and CJ be live today,” explained Freeman. “I think it’s good for the defensive guys to realize just because you get close to the quarterback, it’s a lot harder to get a sack. You actually have to bring the quarterback down and it’s not as easy as it may seem.
“I was really pleased overall with the entire spring of what all three of those guys have done and the production they’ve provided this offense.”
Defensive line coach Al Washington, who won the Blue-Gold Game, has seen the quarterbacks up close and personal all spring and Saturday’s performance wasn’t new to him.
“I think it was pretty reflective,” Washington said of the Notre Dame quarterbacks. “They make great decisions and they’re really competitive. I think they have great unit concept meaning they push each other and bring the best out in each other. It’s cool to see those guys rise to the occasion.”
In all, Notre Dame’s quarterbacks finished 44-of-67 for 516 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.
The Notre Dame running backs also had a solid showing to end the spring. Gi’Bran Payne led the Gold team with 58 yards on 10 carries, while walk-on Justin Fisher ground out 23 yards. Early enrollee Aneyas Williams was the leading rusher for the Blue team, as he tallied 39 yards and one touchdown. Jeremiyah Love added 37 yards and one touchdown for the Blue.
Williams caught the eye of Freeman, and perhaps not for the reasons most will see on the highlight package.
“Aneyas played well,” explained Freeman. “He played really well. We didn’t have a whole bunch of live periods throughout the spring, so for Aneyas to go out there and make some big plays - I think the thing for me is what prevents running backs from playing at a young age is protection. Pass protection. It’s not being able to run with the football. That’s why we recruited him. We know they can run with the football. Being able to trust them in pass protection - he’s grown tremendously there.
“He was the one who stuck out to me more than anything. Justin Fisher had a good day today. Being a local guy, I’m sure he had a lot of people here watching him.”
Payne left the game with an ankle tweak and Freeman said Fisher also was a little banged up, so that meant the Gold had to find a running back. Enter Devyn Ford.
Ford, who had moved to defensive back in the spring, got one carry for 13 yards as he filled in for the Gold. The commitment to the team in switching sides of the ball wasn’t lost on Freeman.
“He goes in there and does a great job,” Freeman stated. “Those are the guys you need in your program. Versatile guys who have so much value. He’s going to help us on special teams.
“He’s unselfish to go on defense in the spring and to come back in the spring game and play offense. Devyn Ford is going to help this football team.”
The defensive line also continued its strong spring as the Irish tallied seven sacks between the two teams. Jason Onye led the way with two sacks and while a few came on Angeli, Freeman wasn’t disappointed with what he saw despite the offensive line being split up.
“When you start splitting the units, the offensive line units and even the defensive line into different teams, those guys have to get used to working with each other,” said Freeman. “It’s a testament to our defensive line. They’ve done a good job to get pressure and actually to get the quarterback down. I think they had two or three on Steve, who was in red, but again, you have to be back there in order to get a sack.”
Graduate transfer RJ Oben had a somewhat quiet spring as he adjusted to Notre Dame and a new defense, but he showed why Washington made him an immediate priority by recording a sack to end the first half.
“RJ is a veteran player,” explained Washington. “He provides a lot of that experience and it helps our team. I credit RJ because our system and what we do on defense isn’t easy. We don’t ask you to do one thing and that’s the only thing. We challenge you to do a lot of different things.
“For him, I think he’s grown tenfold from practice one to this final game. I think there’s a definite progression. I was very pleased with what he did out there today and excited to see what the future holds for him. He’s done a heck of a job.”
Onye is entering the time when most felt he would start to emerge. The Rhode Island native didn’t play much high school football and needed to catch up physically and mentally when he arrived at Notre Dame.
It’s been a process, but it’s starting to come together for Onye, who has started to flash more and more over the last year.
“Jason Onye had some plays today,” said Washington. “I think a year ago, we talked about Jason and some of the things that we wanted to see from him. He’s doing it. He’s playing lower. He’s really become more comfortable in his own skin. He’s starting to play at another level.”
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