It feels like we have a ton of talent on this team and we just need a few people to step up and gain some confidence. However, we could have said the same thing last year so I am in full show me mode.
Photo by Rick Kimball/ISD
Notre Dame Football
Offensive Players to Watch on Saturday
It’s not a secret all eyes will be on quarterback Brandon Wimbush during Saturday’s Blue-Gold Game, as Notre Dame fans will get a glimpse of the future of the quarterback position.
Saturday will also mark the first time the fanbase will get to put eyes on other young talents that will have a chance to shine.
Quarterback – Ian Book
The 6-foot, 205-pounder redshirted last fall as a freshman but soaked in a ton of information being in the same room as DeShone Kizer, Malik Zaire, and Wimbush.
Spring Scoop: The California native has looked good in the times we have seen him this spring. Book can put the football on the money and on time on short to intermediate routes. He has also flashed the ability to surprise the defense in the run game.
Book has been very good in red zone situations in 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 this spring. He has shown the ability to hit the corner route and place the ball where only his guy can get it.
What to Watch to For: Book hasn’t had the best success hitting the deep this spring, and that’s to be expected for a young quarterback, especially with the receiver group still growing. It will be interesting to see how he does with an extended period of reps and how well he simply manages being in a game scenario. If he can manage to play in front of a bigger crowd and keep his composure by controlling the play clock, calling plays, and making the right reads, then I think Notre Dame will feel good about where they are at with the quarterback position coming out of the spring.
Getting Book a few shots deep will also be a positive. If he can hit one or two, then that will give him more confidence to build on this offseason.
Running Back – Tony Jones Jr.
The talk of the spring has been about the 5-foot-11, 224-pounder, as he has consistently impressed each time we have been in attendance. Jones redshirted last fall, but he was more than able to carry the rock.
It was a conscious decision to not play him than him not being ready to play,” Brian Kelly said last week.
Spring Scoop: As stated, Jones can make a strong argument for being the most impressive player on the offensive side of the ball this spring. He has shown the ability to run inside and outside, pass block, and be a threat in the passing game.
Jones has also made big plays in the run and pass game dating back to fall camp. This spring, Jones scored from the goal line, big run play, and then took a pass to the house from about 40 yards. That was just one practice.
What to Watch For: Look for Jones to establish himself as a physical runner. Remember a few springs ago when the late Greg Bryant seemed to continue to push for positive yards when he made contact? That’s what Jones will provide. It wouldn’t be a shock to see Jones make some big plays in the passing game as well.
Rick Kimball/ISD
Miles Boykin
Wide Receiver – Miles Boykin
The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder has been a pleasant surprise for the Notre Dame offense this spring as he looks like a legitimate playmaker. Boykin got a small taste of success last fall with a touchdown catch against Virginia Tech.
Spring Scoop: Boykin has improved his route running, but also his consistency in catching the football. In the past, Boykin would drop easy passes here and there, which led to him not seeing the field. However, this spring, there is a new confidence level, and it has resulted in him being comfortable, and the routine plays have become routine.
What to Watch For: We have seen Boykin take a slant 70 yards to the house and make plays downfield this spring. I’d expect Notre Dame to take more than a few deep shots to test their cornerbacks, but also to get Wimbush and Book some work on the deep ball. If Boykin can make plays downfield when the lights are a little brighter, then I believe that will give him, even more, confidence heading into the break.
Right Tackle: Tommy Kraemer and Liam Eichenberg
Notre Dame stole the two best offensive linemen from Ohio in 2016 and both redshirt last fall. Eichenberg and Kraemer have battled it out this spring for the starting right tackle spot, and we have a feeling Harry Hiestand would be comfortable starting either if there was a game on Saturday.
Spring Scoop: As with any highly ranked player, Eichenberg and Kraemer have lofty expectations, but both seemed to answer the call this spring. There wasn’t much surprise that Eichenberg is a better pass blocker, while Kraemer is the better run blocker. However, the composure both players have shown this spring is only going to make the call that much tougher for Hiestand in fall camp.
There have been mental lapses by both, but I think it’s fair to say both are more advanced than they should be at this stage.
What to Watch For: For me, watching how they handle different pressures in the passing game will be the interesting thing to watch on Saturday. They are young players, and they haven’t seen everything a defense will throw at them. Can they communicate with right guard Alex Bars on stunts and blitzes?
The other is somewhat evident, but how well can Notre Dame run behind the right side of the line? In the past, Notre Dame has somewhat been dominant to the left side of the line, but if they can produce on both sides, then the Irish rushing attack will flourish this fall.
Rick Kimball/ISD
Alizè Jones
Tight End – Alizè Jones
It’s not a secret Notre Dame needs Jones to get back on the field in 2017, but the 6-foot-5, 245-pounder also needs to take a step forward in his production. After missing last fall with an academic situation, the Las Vegas native didn’t get that valuable experience, so this spring has been crucial to getting him back acclimated with playing high-level football.
Spring Scoop: Jones looks the part and has put the time in to make sure he is physically ready for Saturdays. In the practices we have seen, Jones looks to be a weapon, but still drops a few more than you would like to see. Drops were a problem last spring, and Jones needs to focus in on the little things.
Jones does look to be improved as a blocker in the run game and screen game. When Notre Dame splits him out wide against a corner or safety, Jones can have an impact on the blocking game on screens as we have seen at times over the last few weeks. Maybe not to the level of Troy Niklas on the outside, but more than able to get the receiver in the open field.
What to Watch For: Jones is an emotional player, so it will be interesting to see how fired up he comes out and if it impacts his play. I’d expect Jones to make some catches and if he can make a big play, it will be big for his confidence and the Notre Dame offense.
It’s always been about trusting the process for Jones, and he has said the right things for the last year, but if he can execute them Saturday, it will be a big positive for the offense.
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Saturday will also mark the first time the fanbase will get to put eyes on other young talents that will have a chance to shine.
Quarterback – Ian Book
The 6-foot, 205-pounder redshirted last fall as a freshman but soaked in a ton of information being in the same room as DeShone Kizer, Malik Zaire, and Wimbush.
Spring Scoop: The California native has looked good in the times we have seen him this spring. Book can put the football on the money and on time on short to intermediate routes. He has also flashed the ability to surprise the defense in the run game.
Book has been very good in red zone situations in 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 this spring. He has shown the ability to hit the corner route and place the ball where only his guy can get it.
What to Watch to For: Book hasn’t had the best success hitting the deep this spring, and that’s to be expected for a young quarterback, especially with the receiver group still growing. It will be interesting to see how he does with an extended period of reps and how well he simply manages being in a game scenario. If he can manage to play in front of a bigger crowd and keep his composure by controlling the play clock, calling plays, and making the right reads, then I think Notre Dame will feel good about where they are at with the quarterback position coming out of the spring.
Getting Book a few shots deep will also be a positive. If he can hit one or two, then that will give him more confidence to build on this offseason.
Running Back – Tony Jones Jr.
The talk of the spring has been about the 5-foot-11, 224-pounder, as he has consistently impressed each time we have been in attendance. Jones redshirted last fall, but he was more than able to carry the rock.
It was a conscious decision to not play him than him not being ready to play,” Brian Kelly said last week.
Spring Scoop: As stated, Jones can make a strong argument for being the most impressive player on the offensive side of the ball this spring. He has shown the ability to run inside and outside, pass block, and be a threat in the passing game.
Jones has also made big plays in the run and pass game dating back to fall camp. This spring, Jones scored from the goal line, big run play, and then took a pass to the house from about 40 yards. That was just one practice.
What to Watch For: Look for Jones to establish himself as a physical runner. Remember a few springs ago when the late Greg Bryant seemed to continue to push for positive yards when he made contact? That’s what Jones will provide. It wouldn’t be a shock to see Jones make some big plays in the passing game as well.
Rick Kimball/ISD
Miles Boykin
The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder has been a pleasant surprise for the Notre Dame offense this spring as he looks like a legitimate playmaker. Boykin got a small taste of success last fall with a touchdown catch against Virginia Tech.
Spring Scoop: Boykin has improved his route running, but also his consistency in catching the football. In the past, Boykin would drop easy passes here and there, which led to him not seeing the field. However, this spring, there is a new confidence level, and it has resulted in him being comfortable, and the routine plays have become routine.
What to Watch For: We have seen Boykin take a slant 70 yards to the house and make plays downfield this spring. I’d expect Notre Dame to take more than a few deep shots to test their cornerbacks, but also to get Wimbush and Book some work on the deep ball. If Boykin can make plays downfield when the lights are a little brighter, then I believe that will give him, even more, confidence heading into the break.
Right Tackle: Tommy Kraemer and Liam Eichenberg
Notre Dame stole the two best offensive linemen from Ohio in 2016 and both redshirt last fall. Eichenberg and Kraemer have battled it out this spring for the starting right tackle spot, and we have a feeling Harry Hiestand would be comfortable starting either if there was a game on Saturday.
Spring Scoop: As with any highly ranked player, Eichenberg and Kraemer have lofty expectations, but both seemed to answer the call this spring. There wasn’t much surprise that Eichenberg is a better pass blocker, while Kraemer is the better run blocker. However, the composure both players have shown this spring is only going to make the call that much tougher for Hiestand in fall camp.
There have been mental lapses by both, but I think it’s fair to say both are more advanced than they should be at this stage.
What to Watch For: For me, watching how they handle different pressures in the passing game will be the interesting thing to watch on Saturday. They are young players, and they haven’t seen everything a defense will throw at them. Can they communicate with right guard Alex Bars on stunts and blitzes?
The other is somewhat evident, but how well can Notre Dame run behind the right side of the line? In the past, Notre Dame has somewhat been dominant to the left side of the line, but if they can produce on both sides, then the Irish rushing attack will flourish this fall.
Rick Kimball/ISD
Alizè Jones
It’s not a secret Notre Dame needs Jones to get back on the field in 2017, but the 6-foot-5, 245-pounder also needs to take a step forward in his production. After missing last fall with an academic situation, the Las Vegas native didn’t get that valuable experience, so this spring has been crucial to getting him back acclimated with playing high-level football.
Spring Scoop: Jones looks the part and has put the time in to make sure he is physically ready for Saturdays. In the practices we have seen, Jones looks to be a weapon, but still drops a few more than you would like to see. Drops were a problem last spring, and Jones needs to focus in on the little things.
Jones does look to be improved as a blocker in the run game and screen game. When Notre Dame splits him out wide against a corner or safety, Jones can have an impact on the blocking game on screens as we have seen at times over the last few weeks. Maybe not to the level of Troy Niklas on the outside, but more than able to get the receiver in the open field.
What to Watch For: Jones is an emotional player, so it will be interesting to see how fired up he comes out and if it impacts his play. I’d expect Jones to make some catches and if he can make a big play, it will be big for his confidence and the Notre Dame offense.
It’s always been about trusting the process for Jones, and he has said the right things for the last year, but if he can execute them Saturday, it will be a big positive for the offense.
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