It’s a big spring for soon-to-be sophomore receiver Logan Saldate.
The 5-foot-11, 186-pounder appeared in one game in 2024, which was expected as Saldate arrived in June and needed a year of development.
There were positive signs of progress with Saldate getting pulled up from scout team to the varsity for a good chunk of the year.
The road to playing time isn’t simple as Jaden Greathouse returns, while Notre Dame brought in Wisconsin graduate transfer Will Pauling and several other receivers can play in the slot, but Saldate wouldn’t have it any other way.
"It's always going to be a challenge,” explained Saldate. “It's always going to be a competition. We all obviously want to play. But at the same time, we want to see each other succeed. For example, Will Pauling comes in. Transfer. Gets a little banged up at first, but comes back, always trying to lead. It's not like a competition where it's like, 'Oh, let me jump this guy in reps' and stuff like that.”
In fact, the competition in the receiver room appears to be quite healthy. The older guys, including Pauling, have made it a point to mentor Saldate and the other young guns in the room.
“It's just like, go do your thing,” stated Saldate. “It's good because Will and JG, they both kind of mentor me. I'm still young in my head. I still have things to learn. I can never know too much. When I make a mistake, I always come off the field and they're always right there telling me, 'Hey, do this, do this, do this.'"
Receivers coach Mike Brown has seen Saldate develop and he’s starting to become a playmaker by embracing the lessons the veterans are handing down.
“Logan was on scout team for a little bit at the beginning and then moved with us,” Brown explained. “He's been here in the offense a little more and he's just soaking in everything from the older guys.
“He's popping up. He's making plays. Caught a touchdown the other day in practice. Had a nice one at the beginning today in practice. He's continuing to stack days and get better and better.”
As a group, Mike Denbrock made it clear he wanted to see fewer drops this spring from his receivers, and there has been an emphasis on cleaning up the mistakes from last fall. Now, it’s a young group, so drops will still happen as the game starts to slow down for them.
Saldate and the receivers are also doing their part to put in extra work to eliminate the drops, and it starts with sharpening their execution leading up to the catch.
"It starts off in the beginning of practice,” explained Saldate. “First walk through before the real practice even starts, you just have to have a sense of urgency. If you come out with bad energy, lazy, just going through the motions, you're bound to drop a ball. You're bound to be unlocked.
“It just comes down to being locked as a team. Quarterbacks, receivers, on the same page. As a receiver, you shouldn't have to think about catching the ball. When you think about catching the ball, that's when things go wrong. It should be second nature."
Speaking of quarterbacks, Notre Dame is having a three-man competition and pushing the ball deep has been a priority. That’s good news for any receiver and Saldate has enjoyed working with all three as it allows him to enhance his game.
"Honestly, it's amazing because all three quarterbacks are just wonderful,” stated Saldate. “They all put the ball right where it needs to be. But this early in the spring, you kind of just have to focus not on yourself, the playbook and making sure you're doing your job.
“We have to put the trust in the coaches to make the right decision when it comes to the quarterback. The receivers can't complain when it comes to the quarterback. They're all great."
As for the playbook, Saldate is confident in his knowledge of the offense, which in turn has allowed him to play fast. Speed is his calling card. It’s why Notre Dame offered and took his commitment before he even stepped foot on campus - and it’s starting to show.
"Definitely playing with a clear mind,” Saldate said when asked where he had grown. “Last year was a lot of thinking. It was causing me to play a lot slower. This year, with Will helping me, with JG helping me, with all of last season, it's just kind of engraved in my brain to go, go, go."
What can get Saldate on the field? Consistency.
"Stacking days,” said Saldate. “In practice, stacking days. That means having a great day and not being content with it, but adding on to it the next day and being a sponge. Never thinking I'm too good for something. I have my style, but it will be better if I include Will's style and JG's style."
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