2024 Spring Practice Thread

[notredomer23]

First practice is Thursday.

What are some of the more intriguing storylines? I want to personally see how big of a step up the '23 class takes. We expect big things out of Love, Gray, and Greathouse, but who else will emerge this spring?

 

[Armyirish47]

I'm excited to see what OL combos we roll out, what the new linebacker group looks like as a unit, and what swag Freeman is rocking that I will never get to enjoy personally.

 

[SoIll]

In Loys tidbit, he essentially said the RB room wouldn't miss Estime. It's going to be elite.

 

[GowerND11]

OL, LB, and the DL rotation

 

[stlnd01]

First practice is Thursday.

What are some of the more intriguing storylines? I want to personally see how big of a step up the '23 class takes. We expect big things out of Love, Gray, and Greathouse, but who else will emerge this spring?

Traore.
One of Bowen or Ausberry emerging as a solid option at LB.
I'd love to see what we have in Adon Shuler.

 

[GoIrish41]

How Leonard’s skill set changes the offensive approach, if the dynamic athleticism of the LBs translates into more explosive plays, who steps up to fill the safety spot opposite X, and DL rotation.

 

[a mike]

In Loys tidbit, he essentially said the RB room wouldn't miss Estime.

Yeah thought I heard some murmurs over the weekend someplace that he didn't run a very fast 40 time. Can't remember exactly where I saw it though

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Yeah thought I heard some murmurs over the weekend someplace that he didn't run a very fast 40 time. Can't remember exactly where I saw it though

Joe Alt was basically faster.

 

[PutuporShutup]

First practice is Thursday.

What are some of the more intriguing storylines? I want to personally see how big of a step up the '23 class takes. We expect big things out of Love, Gray, and Greathouse, but who else will emerge this spring?

1. WR Room - Can it actually be a weapon
2. LB - Can the high potential turn into better results or will the lack of experience and potentially discipline bite ND
3. Does Leonard become a difference maker at QB
4. Do we get more production out of WDE?
5. RT and Guard spots, talent, but TBD
6. If Evans isn't ready by fall is Eli ready to be the next great one (he wasn't fully himself last year after both surgeries)

 

[IA4irish]

This team is going to be loaded for a great run next fall. I think the biggest thing that could hold them back is the offensive line. The interior o-line was downright bad at times and Fisher played well below expectations last year. Writers talked about how they wanted a tackle in the portal. That is cause for concern in my opinion

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

1. WR Room - Can it actually be a weapon
2. LB - Can the high potential turn into better results or will the lack of experience and potentially discipline bite ND
3. Does Leonard become a difference maker at QB
4. Do we get more production out of WDE?
5. RT and Guard spots, talent, but TBD
6. If Evans isn't ready by fall is Eli ready to be the next great one (he wasn't fully himself last year after both surgeries)

How dare you doubt Special Agent, Michael Denbrock. Dude is bringing the nukes.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Definitely want to see the QB development in the new offense with Leonard and Angeli; I realize it's clearly Leonard's job to lose, but Angeli really looked good last year in spot action. Really comfortable with our QB situation, high floor. Excited to see how they gel with the revamped WR room.

OL, DL and LB for sure as previously posted. Also curious to see how the secondary shakes out, particularly who settles in opposite Benmo and X at CB and S. Can't wait for the practice reports.

 

[stlnd01]

This team is going to be loaded for a great run next fall. I think the biggest thing that could hold them back is the offensive line. The interior o-line was downright bad at times and Fisher played well below expectations last year. Writers talked about how they wanted a tackle in the portal. That is cause for concern in my opinion

There just aren't that many worth taking. I'd rather build our own OL, TBH. You get multi-year starters that way, too, which is so important at that position in particular. We've got sufficient talent on the roster, it's just a matter of developing it.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

I'm not going to list all the Tidbits Loy dropped.
Because I'm too aroused to reach the keyboard right now.
Had to voice text this one

 

[PutuporShutup]

How dare you doubt Special Agent, Michael Denbrock. Dude is bringing the nukes.

Ha... LSU's pass game was SIGNIFICANTLY better in year 2 under denbrock than year 1. LSU/Daniels threw for 1000 yards more in 2 less games 2023 vs 2022.

Can Denbrock bring the "nukes" year 1 at ND like he did in year 2 at LSU?

 

[IAIrish]

There just aren't that many worth taking. I'd rather build our own OL, TBH. You get multi-year starters that way, too, which is so important at that position in particular. We've got sufficient talent on the roster, it's just a matter of developing it.

Aamil Wagner and Tosh Baker need to realize their time is now, given the depth chart. Hopefully, we'll see two refreshed, hungry veterans fighting for a job with Alt and Fisher gone.

The interior should be a battle. No guard position is safe given the mediocre play there last season. Which two come out on top?

 

[PutuporShutup]

Aamil Wagner and Tosh Baker need to realize their time is now, given the depth chart. Hopefully, we'll see two refreshed, hungry veterans fighting for a job with Alt and Fisher gone.

The interior should be a battle. No guard position is safe given the mediocre play there last season. Which two come out on top?

I think Billy is almost a lock at one guard spot

 

[Irish#1]

Ah yes, spring practice, the annual rites of passage where reports makes us think everyone is a potential AA and a Natty is in the cards.

 

[GrangerIrish24]

I'm not going to list all the Tidbits Loy dropped.
Because I'm too aroused to reach the keyboard right now.
Had to voice text this one

I’m concerned for you. Are your needs being met?

 

[Rizzophil]

I’m surprised no one posted about Junior Jabbie yet

 

[notredomer23]

While no schedule has been posted yet, just saw O'Malley confirm that the second practice isn't until the 20th because of Spring Break. Definitely an odd set up.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Aamil Wagner and Tosh Baker need to realize their time is now, given the depth chart. Hopefully, we'll see two refreshed, hungry veterans fighting for a job with Alt and Fisher gone.

The interior should be a battle. No guard position is safe given the mediocre play there last season. Which two come out on top?

I thought the guards were trending up at the end of the season - meaning Schrauth had clearly seized a starting job.

(And Craig's ascent also helps them look better)

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

While no schedule has been posted yet, just saw O'Malley confirm that the second practice isn't until the 20th because of Spring Break. Definitely an odd set up.

Weird? Kelly has been doing this for quite awhile I believe. Maybe back during the 2016 restructuring? Anyway - the idea is it creates a longer spring calendar. Gives the coaches more "days" with the same number of practices. It also is typically used as a glorified media day too, so they can give the journalist some meat...then they can get some story lines for the next couple of weeks going.

 

[Lberry]

-- How does Botehlo look? 2023 was underwhelming, has he changed his body?
-- LB rotation
-- How much is Baker rotating and with whom
-- Safety rotation
-- Everything Leonard Riley

 

[NDisme]

In Loys tidbit, he essentially said the RB room wouldn't miss Estime. It's going to be elite.

I’ll still miss that lovable Tank

 

[SoIll]

I think Billy is almost a lock at one guard spot

Loy

"Expect him to be a “hit” and put on a show this year"

Talked to someone at Notre Dame

Talked to someone at Notre Dame

247sports.com

 

[stlnd01]

-- How does Botehlo look? 2023 was underwhelming, has he changed his body?
-- LB rotation
-- How much is Baker rotating and with whom
-- Safety rotation
-- Everything Leonard Riley

Are we expecting him to get two inches taller and grow longer arms?

 

[PutuporShutup]

Are we expecting him to get two inches taller and grow longer arms?

I would expect him to improve or lose spot to Traore and Burnham

But your point is valid. Like JR, he does NOT have the physical make up of what you want in the WDE. He at least has more athleticism than Jr.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Loy

"Expect him to be a “hit” and put on a show this year"

Talked to someone at Notre Dame

Talked to someone at Notre Dame

247sports.com

If he's not Quenton 2.0 I'm giving Tom a swirly

 

[stlnd01]

I would expect him to improve or lose spot to Traore and Burnham

But your point is valid. Like JR, he does NOT have the physical make up of what you want in the WDE. He at least has more athleticism than Jr.

Yep. The prototype for that position is more Foskey/Traore, but we have wound up with a couple of guys there who seem more physically suited to play inside. I think Traore could be our next great pass rusher, personally.

That said, when he's on, Botelho plays with a violence that can do a lot of damage. Word was he was quietly hurt a lot of last year, right? Hopefully he's in a better spot now.