2026 Spring Practice Thread

[Dale]

I’ll throw some chatter (or lack thereof) before he maybe proves it wrong in the scrimmage…..


…….its been deathly quiet on Keeley right?

Didn’t get a peep from Partridge yesterday that I saw. Little in practice reports of him even looking the part. Lot of hype on Young being revamped. I was thinking he would split with Young and backup Traore, if he’s JAG as he was most of his Bama career, it may trend towards more like Young’s backup + split with Dunham.

 

[allenm5333]

I’ll throw some chatter (or lack thereof) before he maybe proves it wrong in the scrimmage…..


…….its been deathly quiet on Keeley right?

Didn’t get a peep from Partridge yesterday that I saw. Little in practice reports of him even looking the part. Lot of hype on Young being revamped. I was thinking he would split with Young and backup Traore, if he’s JAG as he was most of his Bama career, it may trend towards more like Young’s backup + split with Dunham.

Look at Keeley as someone who may need a year of development. Bama coaching got bad when Saban left

 

[Dale]

Look at Keeley as someone who may need a year of development. Bama coaching got bad when Saban left

I don’t think they took him hoping he contributes in Year 5.

In the end he just needs to fill Burnham’s role. Similar to what they recruited like Jalen Thompson to be alternatively. Keeley just has potential for a bigger pop.

 

[stlnd01]

If that's actually the coaches message, that means they're cementing the left side and looking at a swap for Absher (or move Lambert back inside and play him at RT) for the stretch run. I would lean towards the former.

I just don't know how realistic it is for him to get strength/fitness back to an acceptable level given this kind of layoff.

I remember last spring, before Lambert and then Jags got hurt, seeing video of them lined up next to each other and thinking that's the OL we've been promised.
So yeah if Jags can get into good playing shape for the second half of the season, that would be huge. Also gives them an elite flexible option if any of the others goes down.

 

[Rocketman84]

For those of you that have been fans for at least 30 years...tell me when was the last preseason where you legitimately felt not only optimism, but legitimate confidence, that ND would either contend for the ship or win the ship? For me, I was young and naive and felt 2005 and 2006 were the years with Brady Quinn. Back then it was just optimism, not confidence.

This preseason just feels different. How much do I put on the futures bet for CFP Champions?

Funny you should ask, but it was about this time a year ago😏😏

Before that it was 2005/06

 

[Rocketman84]

This year, I don't see THAT position anywhere. Sure, there's questions still. Is Jagusah going to be ready for week 1? Is the spring buzz re: the receivers going to translate? Are the shake ups in the OL going to yield an elite unit? Etc.

I'd say aside from the rearing it's ugly head of Place Kicking that the only position would be TE. A bunch of talented but unproven guys and a portal guy who didn't do much at his previous stop. I'm hoping Flanagan can finally be healthy and put together a complete season and really expecting Premer to have his moments as well.

 

[Rocketman84]

... last year's team could have won. .... just sayin'

Just put the ball in the hands of your best player! Sounds simple enough until your 3 games into the season scratching your head.

 

[zelezo vlk]

If that's actually the coaches message, that means they're cementing the left side and looking at a swap for Absher (or move Lambert back inside and play him at RT) for the stretch run. I would lean towards the former.

I just don't know how realistic it is for him to get strength/fitness back to an acceptable level given this kind of layoff.

If the coaches think he can conceivably start practice in August to contribute in October, that should give him enough time. I don't expect he'll have the same "pop" but Freeman et al. won't let him touch the field if he's not in any shape to be out there.

 

[Dale]

With regards to Jagusah, if he’s coming into the picture with all 5 OL healthy and we’re picking and choosing, we’re probably good either way

 

[Fbolt]

 

[IrishLax]

 

[KPENN]

Talich getting some work at LB

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Said it before.
I'll say it again.

We're winning the fucking Super Bowl

 

[rtrn2glory]

Talich getting some work at LB

Where you seeing that? B/c I'm wondering if they're referring to him playing closer to the LOS in their Dime package. I seem to remember that being the case last year where they had like 6 DB's on the field.

 

[Dale]

KPENN kept it short and sweet for shock factor lol but it was conversations today with Biagi and Talich himself.

They said he’s playing a LB/S/Nickel hybrid type role. Similar to a Rover type from the past. Same way KVA, Sneed have their own hybrid type roles.

He was a Dime package slot corner/safety last year as well.

Could also be true safety PT might be hard to come by with Long and JOB.

 

[DomeFieldAdvantage]

KPENN kept it short and sweet for shock factor lol but it was conversations today with Biagi and Talich himself.

They said he’s playing a LB/S/Nickel hybrid type role. Similar to a Rover type from the past. Same way KVA, Sneed have their own hybrid type roles.

He was a Dime package slot corner/safety last year as well.

Could also be true safety PT might be hard to come by with Long and JOB.

I wonder if it’s that big nickel role like Kyle Hamilton plays for the Ravens. Depending on what the opponent is trying to do, he can be covering in the slot, seemingly be a third LB, or even be the end man on the line of scrimmage.

 

[Dale]

I could see this being particularly relevant versus Wisconsin and BYU who will be run heavy and 12 personnel. MSU, Navy and Stanford too for that matter. The front half of the schedule is heavy on these teams.

The back half will need Golden or whomever ready to play Nickel with Miami, SMU.

You could legitimately see Golden being the starting Nickel and not have him play the 2 biggest games at Nickel in favor of Talich and Moore.

 

[SWirishfan]

I could see this being particularly relevant versus Wisconsin and BYU who will be run heavy and 12 personnel. MSU, Navy and Stanford too for that matter. The front half of the schedule is heavy on these teams.

The back half will need Golden or whomever ready to play Nickel with Miami, SMU.

You could legitimately see Golden being the starting Nickel and not have him play the 2 biggest games at Nickel in favor of Talich and Moore.

Planning to the strengths of your personnel.
Talich slot against TE/heavy groupings
Golden slot against 10/speed personnel

Like the NBA version of playing big or small

 

[rtrn2glory]

I could see this being particularly relevant versus Wisconsin and BYU who will be run heavy and 12 personnel. MSU, Navy and Stanford too for that matter. The front half of the schedule is heavy on these teams.

The back half will need Golden or whomever ready to play Nickel with Miami, SMU.

You could legitimately see Golden being the starting Nickel and not have him play the 2 biggest games at Nickel in favor of Talich and Moore.

A lot will be predicated on down and distance too and I venture to guess that we will be able to get a lot of those teams into obvious passing downs, so he'll still be getting his reps nonetheless, but to your point I agree. I'm curious to see what Michigan St will be. I think we're getting them at a good time b/c I think Fitzgerald will have them competitive rather quickly.

 

[SDIrishFan]

I don’t think they took him hoping he contributes in Year 5.

In the end he just needs to fill Burnham’s role. Similar to what they recruited like Jalen Thompson to be alternatively. Keeley just has potential for a bigger pop.

Apparently JJP was MIA for his first spring too. That worked out pretty well. We'll see I guess.

 

[KPENN]

KPENN kept it short and sweet for shock factor lol but it was conversations today with Biagi and Talich himself.

They said he’s playing a LB/S/Nickel hybrid type role. Similar to a Rover type from the past. Same way KVA, Sneed have their own hybrid type roles.

He was a Dime package slot corner/safety last year as well.

Could also be true safety PT might be hard to come by with Long and JOB.

I didn’t keep it short and sweet for “shock factor” I saw it on On3 and relayed it here. This is what was said

“Safety Luke Talich told us today that he's added some Sam linebacker responsibilities this spring as the Irish are low on healthy linebackers. Interesting way for the staff to find more opportunities to use Talich this coming season when Adon Shuler and Brauntae Johnson are hard to take off the field.”

I didn’t say he was moving to LB, just that he was getting work in.

 

[Dale]

I didn’t keep it short and sweet for “shock factor” I saw it on On3 and relayed it here. This is what was said

“Safety Luke Talich told us today that he's added some Sam linebacker responsibilities this spring as the Irish are low on healthy linebackers. Interesting way for the staff to find more opportunities to use Talich this coming season when Adon Shuler and Brauntae Johnson are hard to take off the field.”

I didn’t say he was moving to LB, just that he was getting work in.

Was kidding

 

[IrishLax]

I’ll throw some chatter (or lack thereof) before he maybe proves it wrong in the scrimmage…..


…….its been deathly quiet on Keeley right?

Didn’t get a peep from Partridge yesterday that I saw. Little in practice reports of him even looking the part. Lot of hype on Young being revamped. I was thinking he would split with Young and backup Traore, if he’s JAG as he was most of his Bama career, it may trend towards more like Young’s backup + split with Dunham.

I think the intent is for him to be rotational end in standard down & distance and then also be a pass rushing option inside on 3rd & long. I think his snap share will be lower than the "starters" but he will probably play quite a bit. I likewise have not heard anything about people thinking/saying "oh wow he's a stud!" He's probably a late round / UDFA type of guy.

 

[Rocketman84]

With regards to Jagusah, if he’s coming into the picture with all 5 OL healthy and we’re picking and choosing, we’re probably good either way

Absolutely, and more importantly if he's healthy.

 

[2013Irish]

When is the jersey scrimmage?

 

[IRISHbluehen]

When is the jersey scrimmage?

4/18

 

[stlnd01]

I think the intent is for him to be rotational end in standard down & distance and then also be a pass rushing option inside on 3rd & long. I think his snap share will be lower than the "starters" but he will probably play quite a bit. I likewise have not heard anything about people thinking/saying "oh wow he's a stud!" He's probably a late round / UDFA type of guy.

Keeley is basically replacing Burnham, right? A flexible second-string DE who'll play a lot but not "start." Maybe has higher upside. Maybe his length makes him more valuable in pass rush situations. Maybe he's more willing to fill that role than Burnham was at this point in their careers.
But there was never really an expectation he'd beat out Young (or Traore) was there?

 

[2013Irish]

Anybody find it a little odd how much higher the optimism is this offseason compared to last? They were coming off a natty appearance.

 

[JD Irish]

Keeley is basically replacing Burnham, right? A flexible second-string DE who'll play a lot but not "start." Maybe has higher upside. Maybe his length makes him more valuable in pass rush situations. Maybe he's more willing to fill that role than Burnham was at this point in their careers.
But there was never really an expectation he'd beat out Young (or Traore) was there?

I frankly think Burnham was much better than Young last year. I think he is a big loss. Keeley has not been as good as Burnham to this point in their respective careers.

 

[Dale]

Keeley is basically replacing Burnham, right? A flexible second-string DE who'll play a lot but not "start." Maybe has higher upside. Maybe his length makes him more valuable in pass rush situations. Maybe he's more willing to fill that role than Burnham was at this point in their careers.
But there was never really an expectation he'd beat out Young (or Traore) was there?

Young needs to take a step forward to be unbeatable on a depth chart. There is optimism he has, but I don’t think it would have been shocking to hear Keeley > Young.