Just some things
With a week to go until the annual Blue-Gold game and the end of the spring practice session, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish held an 80+ play scrimmage in front of the media, and there is a lot to process. It’s kind of like not eating anything for a couple of days and then walking into a Golden Coral (or Back 40 Junction for the Decatur peeps) and devouring everything in front of you — regardless of smell, taste, or bathroom consequences.
So This will be much more of a diet version of my thoughts after soaking in (not that soaking) all of the reports that came from Saturday’s busy day. There are all kinds of practice reports out with a billion details, and I encourage you to read them all (or stay sane and don’t).
PERSONNEL
Injuries have already been a big part of Notre Dame’s spring, and the hits keep coming. Marcus Freeman confirmed that WR transfer Jayden Harrison is out for the remainder of spring with a plantar fasciitis strain, and Jayden Thomas is also out because of another hamstring issue.
Thomas was plagued with hamstring injuries last season, but still played most of the season — which is not a good thing. Hamstrings need time to heal.
Defensive lineman Tyson Ford is not currently with the team. Freeman stated, “He’s taking some personal time to figure out what he wants to do.”
OTHER PERSONNEL
Obviously the transfer portal is always something that hangs above every program at every moment — whether it be a dark cloud or a rainbow. Notre Dame is still a couple of players over the scholarship limit, so there will be more transfer portal entries — just as the Irish will dip into the portal if they have room. Freeman was asked about these things, and I think his answer perfectly lays out Notre Dame’s plan with him at the helm.
“It’s called having honest conversations with your players. That’s what we got to do. And that’s what our job is as coaches — to have honest conversations and have relationships with our players so there are no surprises. So that’s what we do.”
“This isn’t just a transfer portal discussion — this is a year-round, ‘If you love your players and you want to see them reach their full potential, you’re going to have honest conversations with them.’ I don’t want it to change because there’s a transfer portal window coming up. That’s just what we should do if we’re mentors and leaders to young people.”
“We should have a relationship with them. We should be honest with them. And they should be honest with us so that when they make a decision, ‘Hey, I want to stay, I want to transfer,’ it’s not a surprise. That comes from having a relationship with them, which takes time and investment.”
JUST SOME THINGS I’M THINKING ABOUT
I’ll go into much more detail on the next Earned 5-Star Podcast (recording Sunday) but here are a few things that really stand out to me.
- The offensive line was the group that had the most questions going into spring football and they will be the group with the most questions going into fall camp. Most likely — it will be that way when the Irish head to College Station to start the season against the Texas A&M Aggies. While I do believe this is cause for concern, I don’t believe it’s cause to panic —yet.
- I have been told several time by people I trust that this running back room is incredible. I’ll take them at their word and cozy up to the thought that Jeremiyah Love is fast enough to run away from defenders and strong enough to truck them as well.
- I have faith in Al Golden’s defense — especially going into his third year.
- Jaden Greathouse is on the tips of every tongue, and has had a fantastic spring season.
- Notre Dame’s linebackers have been described as “fast af” all spring long, and I’m ready to see more of them working as a unit and what combinations are put together for the base and the nickel. I feel like Max Bullough is a blood brother regardless of his Sparty DNA.
- Saturday’s scrimmage had two pick six interceptions (Jayden Mickey and Xavier Watts). I don’t think the country has any idea just how good the Irish secondary will be this season, but it will be one of the absolute best. The unit still is waiting on Northwestern safety transfer, Rod Heard, who is unable to practice this spring (just like Clemson WR transfer, Beaux Collins).
- And oh yeah… I’m absolutely not ready for the first Leonard incomplete pass to be drowned out with the sounds of fans calling for CJ Carr. But — I think I’m more understanding to it at the moment. By all accounts he has looked incredible during the spring, and the lack of a healthy Riley Leonard only magnifies it all. I’m thrilled that the QB room is way more competent than it was in 2021 or 2022, and that’s even with likely transfer announcement of someone soon.