Which freshmen do you think will have the biggest impact this season?

[KyfightingIrish36]

IMO Corey Robinson will see the field often in redzone packages. But I could also see Max Redfield putting up good numbers if he was forced into action with a injury.

 

[greyhammer90]

Bryant or Redfield. I could see Redfield making a big play on special teams with his athleticism if he doesn't get to play significant time at safety.

 

[KyfightingIrish36]

I agree. Some of our 2013 guys are going to be ST studs.

 

[phork]

Tommy Rees. I count him as a freshman since he is starting over again.

 

[FLDomer]

Bongiovi

 

[ulukinatme]

Bryant will have a big impact in Special Teams I think, I don't see him getting reps on offense with the experience ahead of him. He could get some garbage time.

On defense I think Jaylon could get worked in a bit and get some experience spelling our 1st teamers. I don't think Redfield will get in on defense unless theres a package, but could be a contributer on special teams.

 

[Irishman77]

Zaire

 

[arrowryan]

Bryant will have a big impact in Special Teams I think, I don't see him getting reps on offense with the experience ahead of him. He could get some garbage time.

On defense I think Jaylon could get worked in a bit and get some experience spelling our 1st teamers. I don't think Redfield will get in on defense unless theres a package, but could be a contributer on special teams.

I think you're in for a big surprise then. I think he as good of a shot as anyone at being the starting running back against Temple.

And I don't see where you're coming from when you said that there is experience in front of him. With the way GA runs the ball, he doesn't stand a chance being the #1 back. The only other back i could see starting in front of Bryant is Carlisle

 

[Fbolt]

Bryant also.

 

[arrowryan]

I'm gonna go with the obvious answer, Jaylon Smith. Spond will have his work cut out for him and trying to keep Jaylon at the #2 DOG. I don't think Spond will stay ahead of him all 12 games. With Jaylon's great athletic ability, I think he is our starting DOG by week 6

 

[Wild Bill]

IMO, if Bryant can pick up a blitz, he's getting 30 reps a game and will have the biggest impact.

 

[ulukinatme]

I think you're in for a big surprise then. I think he as good of a shot as anyone at being the starting running back against Temple.

And I don't see where you're coming from when you said that there is experience in front of him. With the way GA runs the ball, he doesn't stand a chance being the #1 back. The only other back i could see starting in front of Bryant is Carlisle

If Carlisle is healthy, Bryant will have to have a great mastery of the playbook to beat him out I think. GAIII doesn't get enough credit either. Kelly said last year he had what it takes to start, but played behind two decent backs in Theo and Wood. He may run high, but he can still rack up yards. I'm basing my guesses on the fact Kelly seems to favor experience and execution over pure athleticism on offense (See Tommy and some of our receivers in recent years). Bryant is going to be great, but he hasn't taken a snap yet.

 

[greyhammer90]

If Carlisle is healthy, Bryant will have to have a great mastery of the playbook to beat him out I think. GAIII doesn't get enough credit either. Kelly said last year he had what it takes to start, but played behind two decent backs in Theo and Wood. He may run high, but he can still rack up yards. I'm basing my guesses on the fact Kelly seems to favor experience and execution over pure athleticism on offense (See Tommy and some of our receivers in recent years). Bryant is going to be great, but he hasn't taken a snap yet.

I could see it going both ways. Bryant could blow past people with his athletic ability and natural low center of gravity, or we could be hearing Kelly say "He's just now learning how to perform his assignments like a college running back" in week 7 of the season.

 

[arrowryan]

If Carlisle is healthy, Bryant will have to have a great mastery of the playbook to beat him out I think. GAIII doesn't get enough credit either. Kelly said last year he had what it takes to start, but played behind two decent backs in Theo and Wood. He may run high, but he can still rack up yards. I'm basing my guesses on the fact Kelly seems to favor experience and execution over pure athleticism on offense (See Tommy and some of our receivers in recent years). Bryant is going to be great, but he hasn't taken a snap yet.

I agree with experience over athleticism. But why not start Cam then? He has experience and runs a lot better than GA.

Remember when GA didn't lower his shoulder in the spring game and got absolutely LIT UP by Carlo. He won't last 2 games as a starter if he keeps doing that

 

[Fbolt]

Looking at Jaylon: He's behind Spond, and from what I have read, Spond is an assignment correct player. After 2012's steady performance, he could blossom and is potentially a leader on the D. Hard to pull meaningful reps from him.

Bryant: GA3 has had spot duty up until this year. It's not like he's surpassed anyone, it's just "his" time. Interesting to note is who is the more steady back-GA3 or Cam? I would say Cam, although he doesn't have the big play ability of GA3. My point, nobody has produced the stability AND flash at this position. IF Bryant can establish trust with the staff, I believe he can also show some flash and obtain significant minutes.

 

[Fbolt]

Remember when GA didn't lower his shoulder in the spring game and got absolutely LIT UP by Carlo. He won't last 2 games as a starter if he keeps doing that

I hope that run does not define his career with ND.

 

[ulukinatme]

I agree with experience over athleticism. But why not start Cam then? He has experience and runs a lot better than GA.

Remember when GA didn't lower his shoulder in the spring game and got absolutely LIT UP by Carlo. He won't last 2 games as a starter if he keeps doing that

He does have a higher probability to get injured because of his running style, but if he's splitting carries with someone and we continue with RB by committee, then I think he'll be alright. GAIII had half as many carries as Cierre last year, but ended up with more TDs. He could end up doubling his touches this year, but he's also no longer an underclassmen and I think he'll have learned from some past mistakes. He's a weapon, and Kelly will continue to use him I think.

 

[ShawneeIrish]

I think Bryant has the biggest impact and becomes our starting RB. RB is probably the easiest position to break out at as a Freshman and there are no players ahead of him that should keep Bryant off the field. I see Amir playing in the slot and think Bryant can be better than GA3 and Cam. I think GA3 keeps his role from last year with a slight increase in carries. I would not be surprised if by the end of the season Bryant is one of our best offensive players and a potential freshman All American.

 

[arrowryan]

Talk about flying under the radar, seems like we haven't talked about Rashad Kinlaw since the day he committed.

 

[STLDomer]

Talk about flying under the radar, seems like we haven't talked about Rashad Kinlaw since the day he committed.

Because he's been hurt and didn't play the position we recruited him as in HS haha. He's a real boom or bust for this class IMO.

 

[ND NYC]

not freshmen, but in terms of "new faces" i look for Sheldon Day to really contribute this year. also, i think Carlisle (if healthy) could be "the man" by midseason.
just a couple hunches...

 

[Booslum31]

I think Jaylon breaks the starting rotation by week four. We have RB by committee all year with Bryant seeing the majority of the action in our BCS game. Folston to be the big surprise on Special teams....very tough kid!

 

[Old Man Mike]

Thread is a time-waster but what-the-heck?

This team is extremely veteran. VERY little room for immediate significant time. On defense, we have only two slight areas of instability: one safety position, and the back-up DLine reps. On offense, our areas are one OLine position and Running Back. I do not count Tommy, as that position is going to require his seniority handling a team with big games.

Looking at that: Can Redfield dislodge Shumate, Baratti, AND Collingsworth? Big task. EV WOULD have clearly been on the field as a DLine sub, but now Isaac is our guy. Steve Elmer could easily move into the line-up if Hanratty can't do it, and Hiestand thinks that he's more ready than Stanley. Bryant's situation is well discussed.

So, who? Redfield? Rochell? Elmer? Bryant? .... or, will Diaco go All-The-Way-Fool and invent wild new ways to get our BEST frosh, Jaylon, on the field? If no frosh do anything but run downfield on STs, then this question is answered: no one. If Bryant or Folston take over kick/punt returning, then maybe that.

 

[STLDomer]

I'm gonna go with the obvious answer, Jaylon Smith. Spond will have his work cut out for him and trying to keep Jaylon at the #2 DOG. I don't think Spond will stay ahead of him all 12 games. With Jaylon's great athletic ability, I think he is our starting DOG by week 6

Looking at Jaylon: He's behind Spond, and from what I have read, Spond is an assignment correct player. After 2012's steady performance, he could blossom and is potentially a leader on the D. Hard to pull meaningful reps from him.

Ben Councell says Hi

 

[Irishnuke]

I agree with experience over athleticism. But why not start Cam then? He has experience and runs a lot better than GA.

Remember when GA didn't lower his shoulder in the spring game and got absolutely LIT UP by Carlo. He won't last 2 games as a starter if he keeps doing that

If Cam ran a lot better than GA3, he would have run more than GA3.

 

[anarin]

If Cam ran a lot better than GA3, he would have run more than GA3.

Its a new season young padawan

 

[ulukinatme]

This team is extremely veteran. VERY little room for immediate significant time. On defense, we have only two slight areas of instability: one safety position, and the back-up DLine reps. On offense, our areas are one OLine position and Running Back. I do not count Tommy, as that position is going to require his seniority handling a team with big games.

Excellent point. It's fun to think that the new kids on the block are all highly rated and many of them will be big contributors in the years to come, but most freshman rarely see meaningful snaps at major programs. Special teams maybe, but not a lot of 1st team Offense/Defense unless the depth is weak to begin with. Bryant may have the best shot among any of them given the fact our top two backs are gone, but I think he'll be sharing carries with someone else ahead of him at best. If he's the best, I'd certainly want him on the field though.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

OFD's Eric Murtaugh just published something relevant to this thread.

Which Notre Dame Freshman Will Play in 2013: Offense

 

[dublinirish]

yup in a perfect sense none of the freshmen would be required to make an impact. for me i think onawalu will get plenty of snaps and will make some noise

 

[Irish Houstonian]

I say not Robinson. Not that he's not good, but with Dainiels and TJ I just don't think there'll be enough of a reason.