Hiestand Covers All Things Offensive Line

The Notre Dame offensive line returns four starters from a year ago and Harry Hiestand isn’t worried about finding a starting right tackle for now. The offensive line coach has watched Tommy Kraemer and Liam Eichenberg work at right tackle this spring and he believes the line has confidence in both players.

“It’s not critical,” Hiestand said of finding the starter sooner than later at right tackle. “Alex (Bars) Sam (Mustipher) are experienced, so there is a little less of that concern. They are both getting equal reps and everyone is used to them now. Alex is used to both guys and it’s less of an issue.

“We’re not going to force it. Liam had to take a day of because he strained something. He came back today and got back in the flow of things, so we’ll get back to the same rotation.”

Hiestand believes the two Ohio redshirt freshmen have embraced the competition for the right tackle spot and both are more than capable of being the starter.   

“Tommy and Liam work tremendously hard to put themselves in a position of competition,” said Hiestand. “They both have good qualities about them and the basic fundamental things you look for in players. They have a great work ethic, great attitude, and ability.”

The offensive line unit is also working on continuing to be more physical each practice. Notre Dame seems to be working on the run game more this spring than in the past, but Hiestand knows they still have to protect Brandon Wimbush.

“We are always going to work on the physical part of the game, no matter what plays we are running,” explained Hiestand. “We’ve got to be physical and run the ball. Anyone that has success, running the ball is a huge part of it. We have to be able to throw the ball and protect the quarterback.

“Our guys understand the importance of being physical and working hard at it.”

Hiestand has also seen the new weight program help two guys on his line. Mike McGlinchey and Sam Mustipher are two keys to the success of the line this fall and both have developed mindsets that will help the entire team.

“Sam came in all out,” stated Hiestand. “He came back in better shape than he left. He showed up and attacked the offseason program. He has carried an upbeat and attacking mentality. He isn’t waiting for Quenton or Mike. He is contributing too.

“Everyone can kind of see his growth.”

For McGlinchey, it was about getting stronger. The fifth-year senior could have left for the NFL, but chose return to Notre Dame to improve his game.  

“It’s helping quite a bit,” Hiestand said of the new strength and conditioning program. “Mike’s whole thing has always been where do you put everything when you have arms as long as him, and legs as long as his. The strength part has really helped stabilize him as a player.”

McGlinchey needed to improve in the weight room, but he also needed to cut down his mental mistakes. Hiestand believes McGlinchey’s false starts from a year ago were due to him wanting to do too much versus him not being comfortable at left tackle.

“It wasn’t as much of the side flipping as playing around guys that hadn’t played a lot,” Hiestand explained. “Mike has an incredible desire and determination to do well and to help others do well. Mike’s big thing was always trying to get everything to work and he kind of forgot about himself sometimes.

“It was really more trying to do too much and trying to make sure everyone else was squared away. He’s been much better this spring and it won’t be an issue down the road.”  

Another player that has made progress this spring is center/guard Tristen Hoge. Last fall, Hoge had to flip around to a few positions, but this spring, Hiestand is seeing the junior take everything in stride.

“We ended up being a little thin last spring, so he had to swing, but he’s been back at center more,” said Hiestand. “Right now, he’s starting to get into his groove at center. He was struggling getting back to snapping consistently, so he’s made some nice progress. We’re pleased with his development right now.

“We are right at about the time I expected and hoped he would start to raise his play. It’s starting to come up, and that’s good for us.”

One thing Hiestand has this spring that he isn’t used to having is two early enrollees. Robert Hainsey and Aaron Banks arrived in January and have embraced the opportunity given to them.  

“It’s fun having them here because they love football and they are great kids,” Hiestand said. “They love getting better and working. They are two young guys on the right path.”

Both early enrollees have taken second-team reps and have looked impressive to this point. However, Hiestand isn’t totally shocked with Banks and Hainsey being ready to compete.  

“We get to know them through recruiting,” he stated. “They are about what I thought and maybe handling some of the moments a little bit better than most people. Nothing they have done has surprised me as far as the positive end.”  

Two other interior players are putting together a nice spring for Notre Dame. The emergence of Trevor Ruhland and Parker Boudreaux will only help add quality depth in 2017.

“Trevor Ruhland has done some good things out there for us,” said Hiestand. “He has been steady at guard for us this spring. He has shown some stuff on the second-team level. Parker Boudreaux has done some good things and we’re getting him some center work.”