Notre Dame Looks Toward Junior Achievement In 2016 Lineup
Notre Dame’s current junior class arrived with less fanfare than the current seniors, which were ranked No. 3 by Rivals.com in February 2013.
However, that senior group has lost some notable star power since then. Five-star defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes never ended up enrolling, five-star linebacker Jaylon Smith is off to the NFL, All-America wideout Will Fuller became a first-round pick as a junior, and two prime early entrants — receiver Corey Robinson and guard Steve Elmer — are no longer playing football while pursuing other career options.
The senior class is still quite strong, led by offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey and running back Tarean Folston on offense, and lineman Isaac Rochell and cornerback Cole Luke on defense, among several other projected senior starters. However, equally crucial in how far the team goes, especially on defense, is the current junior class.
We know the lion's share of attention will be on junior quarterback DeShone Kizer, who started the final 11 games last season. Meanwhile, center Sam Mustipher, who has yet to start a game, is categorized as a strength already on the line with McGlinchey and junior classmate Quenton Nelson. But these new junior figures in 2016 especially will be pivotal while moving up from role figures to projected starters. Several are coming off significant injuries.
1. LB Nyles Morgan — Rated as the second-best recruit in the Irish junior class, behind the aforementioned Nelson, Morgan took only 41 snaps on defense (by Blue & Gold Illustrated’s count) last year behind fifth-year senior Joe Schmidt.
In retrospect, head coach Brian Kelly admits the staff might have undersold Morgan. We’ll find out this year. Either people will react with “How was this guy not playing last season?” or “Oh, now I understand why Schmidt had to be on the field all the time last year.” The hope is for the former.
2. OT Alex Bars — During Bars’ freshman year, Kelly described him as one of the best young prospects he’s ever seen at tackle. Last season he was given a shot to compete with Nelson for the starting left guard spot, while first-round pick Ronnie Stanley worked at Bars’ left tackle spot.
A fractured ankle after two starts sidelined Bars the second half of the season, and this spring he was shifted to right tackle. The right side is in a rebuild, but if Bars progresses as expected, it would shore up some concerns there.
3. SS Drue Tranquill — Each of his first two seasons displayed ample promise … but resulted in ACL surgery both times. He is a wild card on the defense because he can be used as an inside linebacker, cover man or pass rusher in various packages in coordinator Brian VanGorder’s scheme.
The first goal, though, is a full season of relative health. Stability at the safety position will be essential.
4. CB Nick Watkins — His starting debut came in the 44‑28 Fiesta Bowl loss to Ohio State and he performed relatively well opposite Cole Luke, not allowing any huge pass plays. He had 41 snaps in the first 12 games — and then 86 versus the Buckeyes. A broken humerus midway through spring sidelined him.
He will have to hold off a lot of young competition this preseason and fall.
5. DE Andrew Trumbetti/Jay Hayes — The pair provide a tag-team partnership at weakside end that replaces the graduated Romeo Okwara. The 260-pound Trumbetti was considered the team’s best speed rusher during the spring, while the 290-pound Hayes, redshirted last year, is more about holding the edge versus the physical teams. Both are needed to enhance the line’s depth. It could be like the 2012 Will linebacker version with Dan Fox and Carlo Calabrese rotating, depending on the situation.