Notre Dame made quiet moves in the offseason at receiver.
Instead of chasing flashy names in the portal, receivers coach Mike Brown targeted proven veterans by landing Virginia’s Malachi Fields and Wisconsin’s Will Pauling, whom he previously recruited and coached.
What does proven mean in this case? It starts with a combined 258 receptions for 3,221 yards and 20 touchdowns in 72 games played.
Fields and Pauling know what it takes to have success on Saturdays, but also how to find a routine through the week, which is a priceless learning tool for Notre Dame’s receiver room.
“I think of leadership and experience; they bring both of those,” Brown stated. “When guys have somebody to look up to who does things the right and plays the right way, it just helps the entire room. They’ll be great players for us, but above all, they’ll help us set the culture of this room moving forward here.”
Landing Fields was crucial for the Irish as Brown needed to bolster the boundary receiver position and the former Virginia transfer has done just that through two weeks of camp.
Fields will move around the offense, but you can make the safe bet that if he’s in a 1-on-1 situation, Notre Dame will try to capitalize.
”We’re hoping that he brings an even bigger presence into the boundary,” explained Brown. “Guys want to play 1-on-1 coverage out there and you have a bunch of great running backs and a great offensive line. Just to take some pressure off those guys. Getting some 1-on-1 opportunities and having the ability to go over and make plays.
“When you have that, it takes a lot of stress off a lot of different things. We’re hoping that’s what he brings to us this year. We’ll move him around. We won’t just leave him in the boundary. We’ll move him all over the place and find different ways to get him the ball because he’s that type of player and I think you have to do that. That’s what we’re hoping for.”
Notre Dame will also return Jordan Faison and Jaden Greathouse at the top of the depth chart. It forms a solid foursome as any of those players could start, but Brown needs to build the room.
Junior KK Smith has battled injuries over his first two seasons on campus, but he flashed when healthy last fall.
The key will be getting Notre Dame’s sophomore class of Michal Gilbert, Logan Saldate and Cam Williams up to speed.
”They’ve done a really good job,” Brown stated. “All three of those guys have had a nice camp. All three have taken their game a step ahead. That’s what I’m talking about. You guys are asking about the depth in the rotation. Those guys have gotten a lot of reps, and that’s what happens. You get more reps, you get better. It is what it is.
“Those guys have taken their game to another level. I’m excited about where they are, and I’m excited about the future of the room.”
Freshman receiver Elijah Burress could also be a name to watch to sneak into Brown’s rotation. The New Jersey native was on campus in the spring and is ahead of the curve, but progressing during the season will be key for Burress.
”He’s had a great camp,” Brown said. “He’s a special young man. He’s extremely competitive, works very hard. He’s hungry. Obviously, he’s talented. He’s still young, but I’m really excited where he is. He’s made a lot of really big plays. I think the future is really bright for him.”
When it comes to Brown’s plan for a rotation on game day, he’s open to all possibilities, but he does have a number in mind.
”It depends on the year a little bit,” said Brown. “It depends on the flow of the game. Six guys in the rotation is always the goal. Last year, it was a bit of a different year. We had a couple of extra guys that earned specific roles in our offense, so we ended up playing like eight guys, which was a little bit unique. It’s hard to play eight guys. Usually six guys in the rotation is what you shoot for.
“If certain extra guys find extra roles, then that is what it is. Whatever helps our team. If you can get six guys and try to get them all in during the first half, in the first few drives, just to get their feet wet, and then once it gets down to the nitty-gritty time, you have to go with your guys.”
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