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Notre Dame's Summer Scholarship Summary

By our count, Notre Dame begins the summer with 84 scholarship players.
By our count, Notre Dame begins the summer with 84 scholarship players.
BGI/Bill Panzica

Notre Dame’s six-week summer school program began this Monday.

Two days later, it was announced that senior wide receiver and student body president Corey Robinson, whose 65 career receptions would have easily been the most among any returning player (classmate Torii Hunter Jr. has 35), would no longer play football because of repeated concussion issues.

Robinson, who will serve as a student assistant for the receivers, will remain on scholarship, although in medical cases such as his it is transferred over to the University and not count against the football tally.

Because Notre Dame is currently under the NCAA maximum of 85 scholarships for football, Robinson’s scholarship can be transferred over to a walk-on for the 2016 season. Oftentimes it is a senior who has already invested three years into the program, with running back Josh Anderson (who is back for a fifth season in 2016) an example last year.

By our count, Notre Dame begins the summer with 84 football scholarships, or one short of the limit. The breakdown by class year is as follows:


Sixth-Year Or Fifth-Year Seniors: 5

The sixth-year player is strong safety Avery Sebastian, the 2015 transfer from Cal who sat out all but the opener of 2013 with an injury. He also was sidelined last season after he was injured on special teams in the opener.

The four fifth-year players are nose guard Jarron Jones, offensive lineman Mark Harrell, long-snapper Scott Daly and the aforementioned running back Anderson.

Jones impact on the run defense is crucial after sitting out the 2015 regular season with an MCL tear. He pushed a bit too hard on getting back for the Fiesta Bowl, which set him back instead. Getting at least a quality 40 snaps from him per game would be significant.


Fourth-Year Seniors: 14

Original class: 24

Time has taken its toll on this group with a litany of injuries that ended football careers (Robinson the most recent), transfers, or top players such as receiver Will Fuller and linebacker Jaylon Smith turning pro. Right guard Steve Elmer also could have returned after already having started 30 games, but opted to graduate early.

Among those back after sitting out most of 2015 with injuries are quarterback Malik Zaire, running back Tarean Folston and tight end Durham Smythe.

Cornerback Devin Butler is projected to miss about four months because of re-fracturing his foot earlier this month.


Juniors: 21

Original class: 24

Still counted among this group is defensive end Grant Blankenship, who is currently suspended from football activities but would be welcomed back at the conclusion of summer school if a certain list of stipulations are met.

Tight end Tyler Luatua had left the team in spring with plans to transfer to BYU, but opted to return instead. This class also includes quarterback/holder Montgomery VanGorder, who originally enrolled as a preferred walk-on.

Running back Justin Brent has suffered a Lisfranc injury that might sideline him this preseason.


21 Sophomores

Original class: 24

No longer with the team since the February 2015 signing date are defensive end Bo Wallace (Arizona State), receiver Jalen Guyton and safety Mykelti Williams (Iowa Western Community College).


23 Freshmen

Original Class: 23

So far, so good as far as defections, but we know of no Notre Dame class in at least the last 40-plus years that didn’t have someone eventually leave the school for one reason or another.





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