Matthew “Bo” Bauer – an early-entry freshman Mike linebacker from Cathedral Prep in Erie, Pa. – caught everyone’s attention during one April spring practice.
Bauer took a blow to the knee, one that you could see from quite a distance away that hyperextended his leg and bent it back in an awkward fashion, forcing the 6-foot-2¾, 225-pounder to hobble to the sideline.
It didn’t look good. It looked like the kind of injury that might require a lengthy rehabilitation heading into the summer months, if not surgery.
About 20 minutes later, Bauer was back on the field. In live action. Playing as if nothing had happened to him.
It was just one example of Bauer’s impressive spring.
Friday, at Notre Dame’s first practice of the pre-season on Oliver Field at The Culver (Ind.) Academies, Bauer continued to impress. He consistently ran first-team reps at Mike linebacker as veterans Te’von Coney and Drue Tranquill rotated with Bauer.
“Bo reminds me of myself freshman year in terms of he’s always looking to meet, he’s always looking to get extra work in, he’s always looking to learn,” Tranquill said. “He’s hungry, just soaking things in. He works hard on a day-to-day basis.
“If you watch him, you’ll see a guy who is running 20, 30 yards downfield to tag the guy off. The dude gets in neck deep in the cold tub every day after practice. I mean, he’s one of those old, traditional middle linebackers that’s a leader.”
Make no mistake, neither Coney nor Tranquill will be coming off the football field much this fall, health permitting. But Bauer, sophomore Jordan Genmark Heath, and red-shirt sophomore Jonathan Jones are battling for an opportunity. Bauer and Genmark Heath in particular look like solid backups to Notre Dame’s outstanding one-two punch.
“Bo Bauer has physically transformed himself,” said Irish head coach Brian Kelly. “His mentality, his work ethic, the way he attacks things both in the classroom (and on the field)…He’s been extremely impressive…Jordan Genmark Heath has been moved to the Will (Buck) position. We need time there. Those will be crucial development pieces.”
Tranquill is convinced as it pertains to Bauer.
“I love him, man,” Tranquill said. “He’s a great guy. A guy I’ve tried to bring along and lead. He’s going to be the future of this team. He’s a good player.”
