2015 PRE SEASON CAMP THREAD

[Crazy Balki]

It was toned down bc there were kids present today.

What? Pfff, what's so non-PC about Slayer? Thrash Metal is good for the youth.

 

[NDPhilly]

First video appears to show Crawford running nickel with the ones

 

[Crazy Balki]

I doubt anyone on the team wants to hear that

Geez, our team needs to grow some balls.

"Nah man...what's that shit?...Slayer? Turn it off... (Plays Taylor Swift), ah yeah! This is hardcore!

 

[Sherm Sticky]

2015 PRE SEASON CAMP THREAD

First video appears to show Crawford running nickel with the ones

Fact. I think Hollywood noted that earlier. Also it seems Sebastian was running with the ones over Shumate.

The staff seem to be giving everyone in the secondary a shot to work with the ones.

I'd be shocked if by the Texas game Farley is not the starting nickel and Sebastian and Shumate are hit splitting time at SS..

Sent via tapatalk

 

[Crazy Balki]

Fact. I think Hollywood noted that earlier. Also it seems Sebastian was running with the ones over Shumate.

The staff seem to be giving everyone in the secondary a shot to work with the ones.

I'd be shocked if by the Texas game Farley is not the starting nickel and Sebastian and Shumate are hit splitting time at SS..

Sent via tapatalk

As expected. I believe the reason is so they can have them take reps at the start of the drives and don't have to sub in on a play, allowing an offense to catch them off guard. Also probably need to see more from Sebastian, and Crawford is just putting on a show so far in camp.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Things I thought I heard Kelly say :

Crawford will play some nickel, and Coleman will play some corner when they move Russell to slot corner, as they do in some situational packages.

Both Fuller and Sanders will get a shot at punt return. Kelly made it clear Fuller was out front, then he wondered aloud what that says about the depth and talent if CJ can beat out Will. Then Kelly mused that we could see CJ back there if he needed to spell Will. He stated that he would have confidence in either.

With Sebastian the staff thought they were getting a situational player and he seems to be much more. He is football smart and has a real nose for the ball. Also he is an excellent tackler.

A lot of folks are getting shots at different places so the staff can evaluate personel for situational packages.

As a teammate, Mathias Farley is off the charts. He has one of the highest football IQ's on the team, and he will play nickel in heaver run situations, to avoid putting KeiVarae in a "twenty shot per game situation (against the run.)

(Please correct me if I am wrong.)

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Prosise not in on either? Or he could be once he returns?


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As I remember Kelly said bits and pieces that led me to the conclusion that he is trying to protect all of the running backs this year. He believes that Prosise has incredible gifts once the ball is in his hands, and he likes everything about Folston's game, but he specifically mentioned he was bringing Josh Anderson in to carry most of the water, while they were getting back Prosise, and to keep Folston somewhat fresh.

Also, contrary to what some media has reported, it didn't seem like Prosise would be out 10 days from yesterday. He had been evaluated and pulled from contact on Thursday, meaning by the time of Kelly's presser yesterday, he had a week to go, so he would probably be back next Saturday.

Also, noteworthy, Kelly seems comfortable with the job CJ is doing, so much so that he didn't seem to think it any kind of problem, for CJ being out. Kelly's only concern seemed to be moving the reps so TF didn't get burnt out, or the freshmen weren't too overloaded.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Thanks for the report.

Anything on Kizer and Wimbush?

I talked to the person that fed me information on Kizer situation last year, and he saw enough of practice yesterday to say that DK looked like a Division I quarterback. Some people in the University of Toledo (on staff) questioned his ability to play as a college quarterback! They were some of the same conspiracy theorists that had DeShone committing to play basketball at the last minute!

Anyway, this source said that his "release point" was becoming much more consistent. And that he was a really complete running quarterback. (OS Zone, etc.) He put together one or two "really nice drives." I believe I got that correct. (Let me know if I garbled anything.)

Wimbush has a cannon for an arm! The kid has some incredible skills, and isn't afraid of anything! He clearly needs some time to season. As far as in a pinch, this guy could see any or all three contributing to winning in a game situation. Interestingly, he was the first guy to point out the dour luck ND and Kelly have had with quarterbacks; he believes this is new territory in the Kelly era, with these three guys!

To summarize, this guy said there was a clear order among quarterbacks, he thought ND looked well stocked, that all three were gamers, and that the three actually complemented each other. (Each brought enough of a different skill set to the table.

He also thought it was fun watching the receivers. He seemed to echo another perspective that with all the skill ND has this year, outstanding QB play is not a necessity, but consistency is.

 

[Cackalacky]

Eric Hansen South Bend Tribune ehansen@ndinsider.com @EHansenNDI | Posted 14 hours ago

SOUTH BEND —DeShone Kizer looked downfield and saw nothing but potential interceptions — and the anticipated eruption from Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly that usually accompanies such occurrences.

So the Irish redshirt freshman quarterback tucked the ball, weaved his way through defenders for a modest gain and got clobbered.

In fact, Kizer got hit a lot Saturday in practice, though mostly on zone-read plays. So did true freshman Brandon Wimbush, the other player competing to be junior Malik Zaire’s understudy at quarterback.

Zaire wore the protective “hands off” red jersey Saturday that all the Irish QBs typically don in practice sessions. Kizer and Wimbush wore blue, and were live to give Kelly a better look at reality.

“When you put a red jersey on them, it’s hard to evaluate them sometimes as truly who they are as a quarterback,” Kelly said, “whether they’re somebody that can make plays on the run, how they are physically, their ability to run the football.

“We want to be able to run the football with our quarterbacks, and I think sometimes you hamstring them and can’t evaluate them. And I think we’re still evaluating them in terms of what they can and can’t do.”

Kizer, playing with the No. 2 offense against the No. 2 defense, did everything with a little more ease and proficiency than Wimbush (with the 3s vs. 3s) on Saturday, though the latter’s speed and arm strength shine through even when his grasp of the big picture fades in and out.

Kizer capped his day with a nifty 12-yard touchdown run through traffic to finish off an impressive drive.

“I don’t think I come into the office thinking, ‘I’m looking for separation,’ ” Kelly said of the two backups. “But I want to put them in a positon that if there is, there can be. I think the best way to do that is to give them the opportunity to play the game live and play real football.”

Zaire, meanwhile, looks more and more like a No. 1 QB as training camp progresses.

“I think what I like about him — extremely coachable. I like that he’s focusing in on some of the detail areas that are so important at the quarterback position: Red zone functionality, management of the offense in its smallest details, communication, the real important elements that don’t get talked about.”

Freshman surprise reprise

It’s becoming a recurring theme, both visually during practice and in Kelly’s post-practice dissections. On a team teeming with experience and returning starters, many of ND’s first-year players continue to push themselves into prominent roles.

Here’s a sampling from Saturday’s practice:

• One of the most impressive plays wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown concocted Saturday was a catch he didn’t make.

On an overthrown ball that looked destined to be picked off by cornerback Cole Luke, St. Brown — with no chance to make the catch himself — extended his 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame just enough to tip the ball away from Luke.

“We thought that Equanimeous was going to be a good receiver for us, but maybe down the road,” Kelly said. “He’s ready. I mean, that kid runs like a deer. And we’ve put him up against everybody, and he can run past you and can go up and get the football.

“But the thing I like about him the most is twice now he’s sprained his ankle and he’s been back in 24 hours. He’s got toughness, too. When you get a freshman like that who’s got that kind of toughness early on, you know you’ve got something special.”

• Freshman cornerback Shaun Crawford has risen to the top of the depth chart as a nickelback on obvious passing downs. The 5-foot-9, 180-pounder, poached from Michigan’s recruiting class, continues to show the speed, physicality and smarts to handle the position.

“He knows our defense already,” Kelly said. “He knows our calls, and he’s already helping our safeties in certain situations in terms of overriding some calls. The kid’s a smart football player. He gets it. He just has a knack for the game.”

• Nick Coleman, a former high school teammate of Zaire’s at Kettering (Ohio) Archbishop Alter, has also impressed in the defensive backfield. He’s a former three-star prospect and was one of the least-hyped recruits in the 2015 class.

“He’s long, athletic and has makeup speed,” Kelly said. “That’s a great quality to have, because usually corners are making up. And he plays the ball very well in the air, has the ability to adjust when the ball’s in the air.”

• The shortest player on the Irish roster, 5-8, 185-pound slot receiver C.J. Sanders, made one of the biggest offensive plays of the day, and on a run, no less.

Sanders took an inside handoff and looked to be bottled up for at least a five-yard loss, but somehow wiggled and accelerated for a sizeable gain.

“Some of our guys have got straight-line speed, but they don’t have the ability to cut at full speed,” Kelly said of Sanders, who returned a punt 86 yards for a TD on Saturday. “He’s got the ability to cut at full speed, which we haven’t had in my time here. It’s something that’s been lacking. He’s certainly a guy that can be a weapon for us.”

Personnel matters

Beyond nose guard Jarron Jones’ season-ending knee injury, co-starting running back C.J. Prosise and freshman linebacker Josh Barajas missed time Saturday with injuries that will keep them out of action for at least next week.

Kelly said Prosise suffered a hip flexor, while Barajas sustained a hamstring pull. The latter is expected out two weeks, while Prosise is expected to be 100 percent within a 10-day window.

“I think how it affects us, more than anything else, is making sure that we don’t wear out (Tarean) Folston,” Kelly said of Prosise’s injury.

Newly minted scholarship running back Josh Anderson leaped up the depth chart to share carries with Folston on the No. 1 offense. He didn’t look out of place, scoring on a six-yard run.

Squibs

• Saturday was faculty, staff and family day, with the swell of visitors mixing in with the media. Perhaps the highlight of their presence was when Sheldon Day’s mom let out a boisterous cheer when her son unceremoniously hit a blocking dummy during a drill.

• Comeback kid Jarrett Grace had a comeback of a different kind and the line of the day post-practice when pressed about his new facial hair.

Media member: “That’s the best mustache since Troy Niklas.” To which Grace responded: “Well, this one’s real.”

On a serious note, Grace revealed he played through significant pain during the spring as his comeback from a serious leg injury, suffered in the 2013 season, gained significant momentum.

“I can now hone in on being a great linebacker and go at it with great health,” he said.

• After making the first 18 field goal attempts of training camp, freshman Justin Yoon had his first attempt on Saturday blocked. He then nailed all three of his remaining tries.

• As expected, transferring Notre Dame sophomore defensive end Kolin Hill announced Saturday that his landing spot is Texas Tech.

• Cal transfer Avery Sebastian, a grad student, took No. 1 reps at safety Saturday, with displaced senior Elijah Shumate working with the 2s.

ehansen@ndinsider.com

I am liking everything I hear about the offense and the freshmen.

Defense still seems like there are issues

Yoon.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

I would disagree that Crawford is the top Nickel. Farley and Russell will be the nickel and they can work Crawford in as the season goes. Crawford is going to be a nice player, but he isn't going to hold up vs the run right now.

I'd love to see Wimbush get a redshirt year. He need to fine tune a lot of things before he steps on the field. I love his cool and calm nature, but as most freshmen are, he is just way too slow processing things.

Sebastian has done some nice things, but I would be shocked if he beats out Shumate and Tranquill for the SS spot. He will play a lot of vs options teams, as Kelly stated, but he does seem to be a liability at times against the pass, similar to Farley.

 

[Fbolt]

Seems that the 2's and 3's (and Fr. for that matter) are getting more playing time in practice this year v. years past. Does anyone else see/read/hear that?

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I would disagree that Crawford is the top Nickel. Farley and Russell will be the nickel and they can work Crawford in as the season goes. Crawford is going to be a nice player, but he isn't going to hold up vs the run right now.

I'd love to see Wimbush get a redshirt year. He need to fine tune a lot of things before he steps on the field. I love his cool and calm nature, but as most freshmen are, he is just way too slow processing things.

Sebastian has done some nice things, but I would be shocked if he beats out Shumate and Tranquill for the SS spot. He will play a lot of vs options teams, as Kelly stated, but he does seem to be a liability at times against the pass, similar to Farley.

TP (& others), how do you see the depth chart for PR and KR? Judging by Kelly's comments, I think CJ will be starting in at least one of those roles. Or do we really expect Kelly to put Fuller back there all season?

If you had to choose a starting WR line-up right now, who lines up for Texas?

WR1: Fuller
WR2: THJr? Robinson? Brown? ESB?
Slot: Carlisle? THJr? Sanders?

If I put too much weight into fall practice reports, it would appear it'll be Fuller at #1, THJr and ESB splitting time at 2 and Carlisle/Sanders in the slot.

Of course, that can't be correct because we have a couple receivers who've worked their way up the charts over the years in Brown and Robinson.

I can't get my head around who'll get the starting nod, any help?

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Seems that the 2's and 3's (and Fr. for that matter) are getting more playing time in practice this year v. years past. Does anyone else see/read/hear that?

Yes. With qualifications. There were some guys that just picked up and plugged in, especially members of the last two classes, but not this many at this high a level, fo sho!

I would disagree that Crawford is the top Nickel. Farley and Russell will be the nickel and they can work Crawford in as the season goes. Crawford is going to be a nice player, but he isn't going to hold up vs the run right now.

I'd love to see Wimbush get a redshirt year. He need to fine tune a lot of things before he steps on the field. I love his cool and calm nature, but as most freshmen are, he is just way too slow processing things.

Sebastian has done some nice things, but I would be shocked if he beats out Shumate and Tranquill for the SS spot. He will play a lot of vs options teams, as Kelly stated, but he does seem to be a liability at times against the pass, similar to Farley.

Beautiful point, all three! Reps!

Did you also hear Kelly sound like Coleman would play corner when Russell moved to slot? Is it Crawford Kelly was saying wouldn't hold up against the run, (in PC)? I may have gotten that wrong!

 

[Bogtrotter07]

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Hey I just got a chance to go through the B&G video, great to see all the running backs go through the gauntlet machine thingy the right direction!

Things are really looking up this season!

Here is to Autry!

 

[woolybug25]

Saw this clip on CJ's Instagram. Haven't seen it on any of the vids yet, but it was nice.

https://instagram.com/p/6bdVA4Cba1/

I'm on my phone and can't embed for some reason.

 

[BeauBenken]

Saw this clip on CJ's Instagram. Haven't seen it on any of the vids yet, but it was nice.

https://instagram.com/p/6bdVA4Cba1/

I'm on my phone and can't embed for some reason.

Gets 20 yards after contact, splits two players who are in great position (holy shit Morgan filled that SO fast and well, but CJ is just that quick), and then shakes off 3 tackles. Bravo.

 

[NCND]

Gets 20 yards after contact, splits two players who are in great position (holy shit Morgan filled that SO fast and well, but CJ is just that quick), and then shakes off 3 tackles. Bravo.

Yea I noticed Nyles Morgan in that too. Damn

 

[Fbolt]

Disappointed in that clip! He's never going to get playing time if all he does is bounce it outside!

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

Morgan is extremely fast and athletic. Blankenship I think it was, has to make that tackle behind the line.

 

[NDdomer2]

Morgan also got back up to make the force OB. Kid flies around.

 

[Cackalacky]

Saw this clip on CJ's Instagram. Haven't seen it on any of the vids yet, but it was nice.

https://instagram.com/p/6bdVA4Cba1/

I'm on my phone and can't embed for some reason.

Watch Morgan get that late but flag. CJ slipped right by him in the backfield.

 

[BobbyMac]

Wanna know how fast CJ is? Watch the angles EVERY defender takes as he breaks to the sideline and then the adjustment they make after that... Oh sh!t moment collectively hit them.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Martini, Blankenship and Morgan all missed the tackle. I wonder if he can really do this in the games.

 

[NDBoiler]

Morgan also got back up to make the force OB. Kid flies around.

This. He had amazing recovery to get back in the play at the end after he was on a knee in the backfield and hurdled a guy!. That to me was almost as impressive as CJs run.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Martini, Blankenship and Morgan all missed the tackle. I wonder if he can really do this in the games.

Me thinks yes. You're not gonna get much more sure tackling than that, outside of Morgan, he just whiffed on it (though to be fair, had it been a game, Morgan would've probably leveled the guy, probably didn't because he didn't want to hurt him). But Blankenship practically engulfed him, and for a 5'8 180 pound player to stay upright and keep going, that's extremely impressive. It's not just sure tackling, but odds are that 3 player won't be in your backfield on a regular basis, ready to gang up on you like this play.

 

[woolybug25]

One thing to note, that was horrific downfield blocking. #34 (Adams?) just completely whiffed on an easy block on Morgan that could have broke CJ free. He didn't even need to necessarily block him, just put his body in front of him.

I definitely see what BK meant when he said that CJ has a great ability to cut at full speed. The kid could be electric in the return game.

 

[longliveautrydenson]

This. He had amazing recovery to get back in the play at the end after he was on a knee in the backfield and hurdled a guy!. That to me was almost as impressive as CJs run.

Morgan's acceleration at the end of the play was absurd. As much as I love Schmidt, I don't know how long we're going to be able to keep that athleticism off the field.

 

[stlnd01]

Yeah. Morgan was just about as impressive on that play as Sanders.

 

[rtrn2glory]

i'd rather morgan play for onwualu than schmidt.....hate on schmidt all you want, but his football iq is the highest on the team and that is why he is always around the ball.
not to mention he lines up nearly everyone on the front 7 and that is experience that is hard to just brush aside.

 

[longliveautrydenson]

i'd rather morgan play for onwualu than schmidt.....hate on schmidt all you want, but his football iq is the highest on the team and that is why he is always around the ball.
not to mention he lines up nearly everyone on the front 7 and that is experience that is hard to just brush aside.

It's not hating on Schmidt to recognize Morgan possesses superior athleticism and physicality. Also, Morgan has no experience working at Sam and is an unlikely candidate to replace Onwalu. I would just like to see Jaylon and Nyles as the two LBs when we line up in our nickel defense. We played as much if not more nickel last year than we did our base 4-3, and playing Jaylon and Nyles together maximizes our athleticism on the field.