Irish head coach Brian Kelly dropped some personnel notes—including a coaching move—into Friday’s press conference with other noteworthy items. Here’s a rundown of the most important points Kelly made in the final practice of fall camp.
Sanford upstairs; Denbrock on the field
Kelly still hasn’t decided who will call the plays – the candidates include himself, associate head coach Mike Denbrock and offensive coordinator Mike Sanford. But he does know where the coaches will be positioned on game day, and Kelly revealed the newest hire will be upstairs while Denbrock mans the sideline.
New look in nickel package
Losing Shaun Crawford for the season is a blow to the secondary, especially when you consider the true freshman was in line to start against Texas in the nickel package. Now that he’s out with a torn ACL look for senior KeiVarae Russell—the team’s best corner in man-to-man coverage—to take Crawford’s place inside in the nickel package. Russell spent some time in the nickel package with Matthias Farley and Crawford at the start of fall camp. Kelly also revealed junior Devin Butler has established himself as the team’s No. 3 cornerback behind Russell and Cole Luke, and he’ll play when Russell slides in to cover the slot receiver.
Jones, St. Brown will contribute
It became clear earlier this week that freshmen Equanimeous St. Brown and Aliz’e Jones will contribute this fall at wide receiver and tight end. But both played with the second-team offense on Friday and showed why Kelly expects both to contribute instantly.
Kelly called both players extremely gifted athletes and said the 6-foot-5, 240 pounds Jones is a “matchup nightmare.” [link url=" http://notredame.247sports.com/Bolt/Kelly-Jones-and-St-Brown-Will-Be-Tough-To-Keep-Off-The-Field-38872215"]You can read more on that here.[/link]
Kizer settling into No. 2 role
If Kelly had to release a depth chart today, sophomore DeShone Kizer would be his second-string quarterback. Kizer’s looked more comfortable in the offense and looks to have won the competition going on behind Malik Zaire against true freshman Brandon Wimbush.
Team sees live special teams action
Kelly had the Irish go through live special teams action at Friday’s practice. It’s the first time Kelly’s done so with one of his teams since he coached at Grand Valley State. (Kelly left Grand Valley State in 2003.) Either C.J. Sanders or Will Fuller will return punts for the Irish, while it looks like C.J. Prosise—who was back at practice after missing 10 days with a hip flexor injury—is pushing Amir Carlisle as kick returner.
Three tight end set?
Notre Dame's deep at the tight end position, and all four tight ends could see the field at different times. Three could also see the field at the same time, with Kelly noting Friday that the Irish could use three tight end sets this fall with Jones flexed out wide. Chase Hounshell and Tyler Luatua will be used largely as blockers, while Durham Smythe, Nic Weishar and Jones will be threats in the passing game.
Hunter Jr. needs touches
Torii Hunter Jr. might not see all of his playing time at slot receiver. Kelly said the team’s most versatile receiver needs touches, and the coaching staff plans to move the junior around in order to put the ball in his hands. It’s possible he could carry the ball in jet sweep packages like Prosise did in 2014.
No clarity on Bryant's future at Notre Dame
Kelly was asked Friday if he thinks the door has closed on suspended running back Greg Bryant's Notre Dame career. The Irish head coach, who said a day after Bryant's enrolled at ASA Miami junior college that he hadn't spoken to the running back, didn't sound optimistic about the junior's future.
"I think the last we heard that he was thinking about another school," Kelly said. "We get different reports each day."
