Aaron Carrara
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Submitted today, 11:31 AM in Texas Longhorns Football By Horn Sports
A disappointing basketball season is already in the distant past - with Spring practices about to start in Austin, Longhorn fans are thinking football. Year 2 of the Charlie Strong era begins on Wednesday, and while fan interest in what’s happening on the 40 Acres is high, it’s also worthwhile to keep an eye on what Texas’ opponents are doing.
The Longhorns start their 2015 season with a trip to South Bend to face Notre Dame. With an eye toward early September, John Vannie of NDNation.com provides insight into what the Irish are working on this Spring.
Q: What’s going on with the QB position? Is Malik Zaire Brian Kelly’s guy headed into spring ball?
A: The word is that it will be an open competition between Zaire and Golson. Golson is the more accomplished passer, which Kelly favors, but his inconsistency and history of costly turnovers is well-documented. Kelly tailored his offense to take advantage of Zaire's strengths in the bowl game win over LSU, and many Irish fans wanted to know why he didn't feature the running game much earlier in the season. Kelly does have a track record of using multiple quarterbacks in a game or season, so don't be surprised if the winner of the competition ends up being "both".
Q: There were a lot of rumors about Everett Golson and the potential for him to transfer. Has Golson decided to stay at Notre Dame?
A: Yes, for the time being. If he does not win the starting job this spring, he still has the option to transfer and there are several teams willing to accommodate him. If Kelly says the competition is too close to call after spring practice and postpones a final decision until August, it will be interesting to see what Golson will do. Right now he is working hard, saying the right things and is reported to have a great attitude.
Q: Brian Kelly hired four new coaches – Mike Sanford (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach), Autry Denson (running backs), Keith Gilmore (defensive line) and Todd Lyght (defensive backs). What’s the excitement level in South Bend about these guys and what will they bring to the program?
A: Most team observers believe these new hires represent an upgrade both in coaching ability and in recruiting. It's also worth mentioning that the previous staff members were not always on the same page, and the changes should bring cohesion to game strategy and player communications. The hiring of Lyght and Denson are a huge plus and will help Kelly's reputation as someone who did not go out of his way to embrace former players.
Q: What’s the biggest unknown about the 2015 season from a position standpoint?
A: Aside from the quarterback question, the biggest concern is at linebacker. Jaylon Smith has one spot locked down, but it's not certain whether it will be inside (where he played in 2014) or outside (2013). The competition at the other spots is wide open among several candidates. On the inside, Joe Schmidt returns after missing the last half of 2014 with a fractured ankle, and Jarrett Grace returns from a badly broken leg suffered in October 2013. Sophomore Nyles Morgan, who was forced into service when Schmidt went down, has great talent and promise. Incoming freshman Tevon Coney from Florida could also have an impact.
There are several athletes in the mix at outside linebacker, led by young players such as James Onwualu, Kolin Hill, and highly recruited freshman Josh Barajas. Also, junior Michael Deeb and sophomore Greer Martini have been impressive at times and will compete for a spot. With the numbers and returning players on the inside, I would not be surprised to see Jaylon Smith move back outside in 2015.
The Irish are also thin at safety, which is why fifth year transfer Avery Sebastian from Cal is one of Kelly's most important recruits.
On offense, the graduations of tight end Ben Koyack and kicker Kyle Brindza leave holes that must be filled. Justin Yoon, the top rated high school kicker, will be given a shot to replace Brindza, while another freshman, tight end Alize Jones, could leapfrog other incumbents on the roster for playing time at tight end. For the first time in recent history, Notre Dame does not have an outstanding veteran tight end on the roster.
Q: Center Matt Hegarty started eleven games last year but recently announced he will be transferring from the program. What does the loss of Hegarty do the offensive line?
A: Hegarty was not guaranteed a starting position, so his departure simply requires a reshuffling within a very talented depth chart. Nick Martin will likely move back from guard to center and the open guard spot opposite starter Steve Elmer will become a battle between Quentin Nelson, Alex Bars, Colin McGovern and Sam Mustipher. Star left tackle Ronnie Stanley passed up the NFL draft for a final college season and 6'8" powerhouse Mike McGlinchy is the right tackle. The offensive line is probably the strongest area of the team.
Q: Notre Dame had a top-15 recruiting class in 2015. Are there any immediate-impact guys that will see playing time as true freshmen?
A: As mentioned, the best options for early playing time are Alize Jones, Josh Barajas, Tevon Coney and Justin Yoon. Four other players are very talented and could force their way into the mix: Lineman Jerry Tillery, who was initially recruited as a left offensive tackle but will be given his first shot on defense; slot receiver C.J. Sanders, who is said to be an electrifying athlete; 6'5" wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown, who has the speed to get downfield; and quarterback of the future Kyle Wimbush. It's unlikely that Wimbush will play this season but it could happen if either Golson or Zaire transfers this summer and the other goes down with an injury in the fall.
Q: “There is no academic virtue in playing mediocre football and no academic vice in winning a game that by all odds one should lose.†– Father Ted Hesburgh
After serving as Notre Dame’s President for 35 years, then passing away earlier this year, how much of an impact did Father Hesburgh have on Notre Dame football?
A: Father Hesburgh, in concert with Executive Emeritus Father Edmund (Ned) Joyce, struck a balance between the pursuit of academic and football excellence that their successors have failed to duplicate. While other sports have reached new heights in the last two decades, football has struggled. This has been more about poor coaching hires than Admissions restrictions or discipline. Father Hesburgh signed off on a couple of poor hires in Joe Kuharich and Gerry Faust, but corrected those mistakes with Ara Parseghian and Lou Holtz. Subsequent hires by the Molloy and Jenkins administrations have been mediocre at best and disastrous at worst. Kelly is the best of this lot but his record to date falls well short of elite status.
Q: For Texas fans making the trip to South Bend for the first time in September, what are the “musts†during their time there?
A: A tour of the campus on a football weekend is well worth the time. Featured attractions are the Hesburgh Library, the Grotto, the lakes, Sacred Heart Basilica, the Administration Building (Golden Dome) and of course the Book Store where you can empty your wallet for almost anything with an ND logo. The Joyce Athletic Center, across the street from the Stadium, has a wealth of artifacts and memorabilia from Notre Dame's rich athletic history. The Stadium itself is undergoing major reconstruction project called Crossroads, but this activity will not impact the game.
The most important thing you need to prepare for on game day is tailgating. Even though the game won't start until 7:30 PM or so, get there early, set up a tent to protect yourself from the hot sun or a thunderstorm, and bring plenty of ice, food, beverages, tables and chairs. You might even set up a power source and a TV to watch other games during the day. Try to park reasonably close to some portable johns or a cluster of trees, and watch out for the Indiana State Police. They are ornery and aggressive to say the least.
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