The Slot Fade and Jaden Greathouse Are the Perfect Match
When Mike Denbrock arrived at Notre Dame, it meant the slot fade would also be coming to South Bend.
The veteran offensive coordinator made the play a staple in his offense over the last two seasons at LSU as first-round pick Malik Nabers made a lot of money by being able to master it.
During Saturday’s win over Florida State, tight end Mitchell Evans caught a touchdown and slot receiver Jaden Greathouse hit an explosive play in the fourth quarter on the slot fade concept.
“Once they really understand the concept, even if you have a hard outside leverage, it can be a back shoulder,” stated Denbrock. “If they want to play more head up, it can be an explosive touchdown. I think there’s just a lot of versatility to it. Once you have a real feel for it and know how to throw it, it’s really hard to defend.”
Greathouse’s big catch on Saturday was beating his guy down the field, while he also drew a pass interference call a minute earlier on a back shoulder ball on a slot fade.
On TV, the slot fade appears to be an easy concept, but it takes a great deal of skill from the receiver to find separation, but also timing and being on the same page with the quarterback to know what type of ball is coming.
Greathouse and the Notre Dame quarterbacks have worked relentlessly in practice to master the concept and it’s starting to show itself on the field.
“I like being matched up with nickels and just being in the slot operating with space,” explained Greathouse. “We’ve been working on the route every day in practice and every day in one-on-ones, I’m asking for a slot fade. I’m constantly trying to get reps and improve, and that’s definitely been paying off in these games.”
The slot fade is a weapon, but Greathouse also showed Notre Dame’s screen game is improving. Against Florida State, Greathouse was the beneficiary of a couple screen plays, which were checks from quarterback Riley Leonard as they got the look they wanted from Florida State’s defense.
“It’s definitely a good feeling coming out of a game kind of battered and bruised, as weird as (hat sounds,” said Greathouse. “Just knowing that you’re a part of the game plan and they were trying to use you in whatever way. I think that’s definitely something that I’m happy about from last game. Just being a primary focus of them trying to get the ball in my hands. It definitely feels good, just knowing they have confidence in me with the ball in my hands. It’s a good feeling.”
The Texas native was a major focus for Notre Dame’s offense, recording five catches for 66 yards on six targets. Greathouse thrived in high school in the screen game and hopes that trend continues in South Bend.
“That was something I was definitely big on in high school,” Greathouse stated. “I’m trying to bring that over to the college game, just creating plays, yards after catch. Getting open in space and making big plays after the catch is definitely something we’ve been working on and continuing moving forward.”
Notre Dame’s offense is expanding by the week and it’s due to the work being put in during the week. The ability to see progress and production is only motivating this group as the Irish are on a three-game sprint to the College Football Playoff.
“We’re only going to keep getting better from here and just building off the confidence that we made in games and in practice,” said Greathouse. “I definitely think that’s super important for us going forward. We’re going to keep working at it and keep improving and only get better from here.”
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