St. Brown Sharpening Chemistry with Wimbush

Notre Dame receiver Equanimeous St. Brown put himself on the map in 2016 with 58 receptions for 961 yards, and nine touchdowns. In 2017, the junior receiver has the chance to become a household name and the next step is the mental aspect.

“I have grown a lot mentally,” St. Brown stated. “Last year was my first year getting experience, so now I am focusing on the mental part of the game.”

Quarterback Brandon Wimbush will be assigned to get St. Brown the football and their history dates back to high school before arriving in South Bend.  

“I have been catching from him since we were in high school at camps,” said St. Brown. “We are good friends and have good chemistry. That’s going to continue to grow.”

With both players focused on building chemistry during camp, the California native knows it will only get better as Wimbush gains more experience.

“It comes from practice,” St. Brown said of his chemistry with Wimbush. “When we run routes on air or 7-on-7, we know where we’re going to be, and that should be with every receiver. Once you get a rhythm with a quarterback, it gets better.

“He came in pretty good, but now experience is going to be a big part of it. He’s always been a talented quarterback with his accuracy, great power, and his running ability. Now, it’s about experience and repetition in practice.”

St. Brown is also helping four new additions to the receiver corps get adjusted to life at Note Dame. Grad transfers Cameron Smith and Freddie Canteen along with freshmen Michael Young, and Jafar Armstrong are looking up to St. Brown to guide them through the first few days of camp.  

“Cam brings experience and ran the same offense at Arizona State,” explained St. Brown. “He brings wisdom to the game. Freddie is a fast guy, and he brings speed to the game.

“Our young guys are catching on quick. We’re five days in, so we’re still installing, but so far, we are looking good.”  

With a family background in strength and conditioning, St. Brown has enjoyed new Director of Football Performance Matt Balis and his unique workouts. St. Brown is also healthy, and that has led to positive gains in the weight room this offseason.

“Last year, I had shoulder problems, and I didn’t work out that much,” St. Brown stated. “This year, we have a new strength program, and I gained a lot of weight. Maintaining weight is a big part of it too.

“The biggest thing is the weight program is about repetitions and intensity of the workouts. It’s about gaining and maintaining weight.”

A bigger St. Brown will help in the passing game, but it will also help the Irish in the run game, as receivers coach Del Alexander is emphasizing run blocking.

“This year I am working on my blocking,” said St. Brown. “Coach Del brings a different philosophy to blocking, and that’s new for me. I am working on driving my feet and looking to push defensive backs back.”