This is a team with a solid but not spectacular roster. There's quality from top to bottom but there still are a lot of questions. The strength of this team is the OL where they have at least 11 capable starters. The question is the pass rush where they have no proven upperclassmen who've proven to get to QB's on a consistent basis. With a very tough schedule, maybe the toughest in the nation you need all hands on deck and we are currently in a holding patten with Ishaq Williams, KeiVarae Russell and DaVaris Daniels being investigated.
#28 Austin Collinsworth (rSr.) SS 6-1 205. Has appeared in 39 games with 11 starts. Chris' son. Versatile athlete. He's excellent on ST coverage. An assignment sound player. Technically sound as well. Plays the way he's coached to play. A solid presence who'll always be where he should be. Isn't a top flight athlete. Not a playmaker. Average speed and change of direction. Doesn't handle speed in space very well. Can be beaten and doesn't have make up speed. Can be exploited in such situations. Adds very good value to any team but more of a back up type who fills in occasionally. ST is his calling and he should be in someone's camp. UDFA.
#74 Christian Lombard (rSr.) RG 6-5 311. Has appeared in 33 games with 20 starts (13 at RT in 2012 and 7 at RG in 2013). Good versatile athlete. Looks the part, big strong and long arms. Quick off the snap. Well coached. Displays very good technique in pass protection especially. Did well for himself at RT with an above average kick slide. Strength and power aren't obvious in the running game. Doesn't open up holes or push defenders back. Not a mauler. Defenders get into his frame which negates any size or strength advantage he may have. His hands aren't as strong as they should be as defenders often slide off of or get out of his clutches. Missed the last few games of 2013 with a back injury the required surgery. Miss spring practice after undergoing wrist surgery as well. A very good player who gives you a solid and quiet days work but must improve his technique further. 5th-6th round.
#2 Cody Riggs (rSr.) CB/SS 5-9 190. Post graduate transfer from Florida. Has played in 40 games with 26 starts (13 at CB and 13 at SS). Valuable experience at both CB and S in one of the best conferences. Often played boundary CB in 2010 and 2011 but isn't big or as physical as you'd like in that role. Lacks the physicality to contend with the big WR's. Too many times he over committed to the jam only to be beaten at the line. This can be attributed to his lack of strength. Doesn't shy away from the action but is often on the outskirts of it. Is a sneaky blitzer. Although he's a starter his best position would be at NCB where he can utilize his quickness on the inside more than having to deal with size and strength on the outside. His size will always be an issue. 7th-UDFA.
#27 Kyle Brindza (Sr.) K/P 6-1 236. Has appeared in 39 games. Incredible leg! Handles kickoffs where last season 46.7% went for touchback. Improved on FG's from the previous season. Often kicking in bad weather. One of the most clutch kickers around. For his career he's 14 for 15 in the 4th quarter. Handles punts as well but this isn't his strongest area but the versatility is a plus. 5th-7th round.
#3 Amir Carlisle (rJr.) WR 5-10 190. Has appeared in 25 games with 0 starts. Transfer from USC. Former RB. Handling slot WR duties as well as getting a few touches out of the backfield. Stout and compact build and runs tough with the ball. Good hands which made the switch to slot a good move. Has nice short area quickness and has nice moves to juke defenders. Has a forward lean and will fall that way after contact. Lost a little confidence after a fumble against Purdue. Hasn't been highly productive. Has had injury issues since arriving at Notre Dame (broken ankle in 2012 and a broken collarbone in 2013). Is braced for a good season but I don't see him declaring.
#30 Ben Councell (rJr.) OLB 6-4.5 254. Has appeared in 21 games with 0 starts. Coming off of a torn knee ligament late in 2013 that required surgery and made him miss spring practice. His recovery has gone exceedingly well. Has been the backup to Danny Spond (2012) and Jaylon Smith (2013) in the old 3-4 defense at the DOG LB. A big athletic player who is a sure tackler. Can drop back into coverage as well as set the edge in the run game. Has never played SAM before. Looks a bit stiff in the hips changing direction. Hasn't done much as of yet statically. Still an unknown commodity in a 4-3. Will play plenty against the more physical teams on the schedule. Doesn't declare.
#10 DaVaris Daniels (rJr.) WR 6-1.5 203. Has appeared in 24 games with 12 starts. Has shown elite WR traits. Was targeted more than any other player on the team a season ago. Makes big plays. Has a reception of 20 yards or more in 15 of his 24 games played. Good strong hands. Is physically up to task with physical CB's. Not easy to jam and is generally unbothered by their hand fighting. Inconsistent. Caught less than 50% of the passes thrown his way (44.1%). Porous number for an elite type talent. This can be attributed to poor QB play but he also can be blamed for not winning those one on one match ups for jump balls. There may be a learning curve still because he's still learning the nuances of route running. Has 1st round talent but he must find consistency to reach his high ceiling. He declares. 3rd-5th round. Note: Being investigated for academic misconduct so his status is uncertain.
#41 Matthias Farley (rJr.) CB/FS 5-11 205. Has appeared in 26 games with 19 starts (all at FS). Very good athlete. Versatile and a quick learner. Good speed. Was a WR when he got into the program but made the transition to S his redshirt freshman year and started. Good, aggressive tackler. Regressed at S in 2013. Takes bad angles to the ball. Gets caught looking in the backfield and was susceptible to play action. Struggled in man to man. Was better in zone but had his struggles there as well. Making the move to nickel CB where his aggressive nature is more suited. Won't get as many snaps as he has the past two seasons but is still a very useful player. Doesn't declare.
#5 Everett Golson (rJr.) QB 6-0 200. Has appeared in 12 games with 11 starts. Excellent athlete. Has a very strong arm and can make every throw. Great feet in the pocket and his QB skills look textbook. His three, five and seven step drops are crisp and his release point is always ideal, when he has a clean pocket. Dual threat who looks to pass first but can get yards with his legs for sure. Keeps plays alive by avoiding the pressure. Has made many a big play this way. Doesn't turn the ball over much. The mental side of the game is still where he needs help. Has needed lots of coaching on seemingly simple details. Has needed a simplified scaled back play book. As Brian Kelly put it he was riding on the bus to the BCS national championship not driving it. Was pulled out of several games in 2012 in favor of Tommy Rees. Doesn't always see the whole field. Needs to go thru his progressions better. Missed all of the 2013 season for cheating academically. Mechanics go out the window from time to time when faced with pressure. Forces passes into coverage at times. Listed height may be inaccurate because he appears more like 5-11. Has put in a great deal of work with new QB coach Matt LaFleur and QB guru George Whitfield to improve his game. He doesn't declare unless he has a lights out season where he consistently plays great football.
#59 Jarrett Grace (rJr.) MLB 6-2.5 253. Has appeared in 19 games with 3 starts. Very active! Good athleticism shows in both the running and passing game. Very strong and stout. A thumper who can take on OL very well. His ability to take on and shed blocks at MLB is second only to Trey DePriest out of the players I've watched so far. Stops the opponents forward progress with aggressive form tackling. Knows how to play the angles. This allows him to make tackles on faster players. Diagnoses plays very well and plays assignment sound. Which again enables him to make plays all over the field. Suffered a complete shattering of the fibula and tibia against Arizona State. The injury has brought into question his future although he has made great progress after a second surgery was performed to stimulate bone growth. An aggressive approach has him slated to be ready by game one but it remains to be seen if the optimism is justified. Was in the area of a 4.7 40 guy and you wonder if the injury has robbed him of any of his average speed. The further he gets away from the injury he gets the better off he'll be/play. I don't see a player who declares because he MUST have two injury free and productive seasons.
#77 Matt Hegarty (rJr.) LG/C 6-4.5 295. Has appeared in 21 games with 2 starts. Slated to start at LG and back up at C. Very good athlete. Well coached and technically sound. Good frame for the interior of the OL. Has a wide frame with long arms. Quick feet and can get out to the second level with ease. Strong player who doesn't give much ground once engaged with a defender. Gets good push in the running game. It's always a good thing when an OL gets his arms extended against a DL and you see that a lot with him. Picks up blitzes and stunts very well. Suffered a mild stroke and had heart surgery in December of 2012. Since he's been fine but that needs to be further evaluated. Needs to play with a better base, more balance. On the ground too often for someone so coordinated. Doesn't declare but has great value at both G and C and would be a high commodity if the heart checks out at his medical checks.
#18 Ben Koyack (Sr.) TE 6-5 254. Has appeared in 37 games with 7 starts. Extremely hard working and dedicated. Has worked behind some talented TE's in Tyler Eifert and Troy Niklas. Has been used primarily as a blocker in two TE sets. Very strong hands and when he latches on to DB's and LB's he can drive them backwards. Hands are good as a pass catcher as well. He's set the tone this spring as the offenses most consistent pass catcher in fact. Has a nice get off of the LOS as a pass catcher. Appears to run in 4.6-4.65 40 range. Can line up next to the T or split off whether in the slot or out wide. Only has 14 career receptions. This is a byproduct of having the talent he's had in front of him but it must be noted. Did get off to a nondescript start in years one and two and confidence became an issue after some early season drops in 2012. Has worked on his blocking but there's still work to be done. Hasn't been consistent with his technique. Needs to always use controlled aggression. Sometime appears passive in his blocking and that's when he gets pushed around. Looks like a leader now and it should show up in his play this season. 2nd-4th.
#72 Nick Martin (rJr.) C 6-4.5 295. Has appeared in 24 games with 11 starts. Leader of the OL. Good athlete. Has great size for the position. Looks like a T and his skill set would translate well to G if he had to play there, as he's played both before. Wide build with long arms. Is really quick in the trenches. Feet are very nice and athletic for an interior lineman. Well coached. Uses excellent technique consistently. Has great balance and strength. Extends his long arms to lock out and shut down DL. Coming off of a late November MCL tear that required surgery and kept him out of practice until August camp. Isn't a mauler and football strength isn't always evident. Has the look of a player who should physically dominate but he doesn't in the running game. Gets good positioning but not enough push. Looks to be a special player moving forward but I don't think he declares although he's about ready.
#33 Cam McDaniel (Sr.) RB 5-10 205. Has appeared in 34 games with 4 starts. Good athlete. Well rounded skill set enabled him to make the temporary switch to CB last spring. Good ST player. The unsung type. Very dependable and durable. Compact build with a really strong lower body. A great short yardage back. Has a great feel for and timing for finding running lanes. Has surprising agility. Has good hands and can pick up blitzers. Isn't a great athlete out of the backfield. Doesn't have top end speed or even a second gear. No ones ideal RB. Has maxed out as far as size goes. Can pick up the blitz but isn't necessarily a good blocker. Could do a better job of sharpening his route running out of the backfield which would make him an available check down option sooner. Has never been the guy you'd want to lead the charge but he's resilient. He finds his way into the lineup no matter how talented the guys are in front of him. He has done everything asked of him and more. UDFA.
#38 Joe Schmidt (RJr.) MLB 6-0.5 235. Has appeared in 23 games with 0 starts. Was a walk on who earned a scholarship. Cerebral football player. Tremendous knowledge base. Teams defensive leader. Resembles Zach Thomas in stature. Surprisingly quick in the trenches. Is stout and can get off of blocks. Looks comfortable in coverage. Knows where to be at all times. Still an unknown as far as being a full time player. If not for injury he wouldn't be assuming a starters role. Size is an issue against big opponents. Not a great athlete. Will be a situational player. Should be a serviceable player but one with limitations. Doesn't declare.
#11 Ishaq Williams (Sr.) DE/OLB 6-5.5 271. Has appeared in 35 games with 0 starts. A top tier natural talent! Has great size, speed and strength. As an OLB in Bob Diaco's defense the last three years he appeared well coordinated and comfortable moving around and in coverage. Hasn't done much of anything with his God given gifts as of yet. Has made next to no plays at all. Gets blocked too easily and has no pass rush moves much less counter moves. As a run defender he is stout but yet still gets moved off of the ball too much. The most uninspired player I've ever seen. The most uninspired player you've ever seen too. I guarantee it. Outwardly shows no passion. This doesn't mean he lacks it deep down but his demeanor and lack of results seem one and the same. Has moved to his more natural position of a 4-3 DE finally. This is his last hope of salvaging a nondescript college career. Based off of talent he's a sure fire 1st rounder but the results are pedestrian and UDFA worthy. 6th-UDFA. Note: Being investigated for academic misconduct so his status is uncertain.
#2 Chris Brown (Jr.) WR 6-1.5 195. Has appeared in 25 games with 8 starts. Great speed and leaping ability. Vines for arms. Deep speed has to be accounted for. Has a frame that can add weight and not lose speed. Has been teams best and most consistent WR since spring practice. Has stepped up to be a team leader type. Has never been a full time player. Has started some but more of a platoon type player who ran mainly go routes. Could still stand to get bigger and stronger. Needs to be quicker off of the snap to eat the CB's cushion and make them uncomfortable. Only 17 career receptions. Hasn't had to shoulder the responsibility of a true number one or two WR and run a full route tree. He's gotten better but still has a lot to prove and improve upon. Doesn't declare.
#91 Sheldon Day (Jr.) DT 6-2 285. Has appeared in 24 games with 8 starts. Very active. Quickness is his best trait. Flashes off of the snap. Nonstop motor, relentless. Has very good and quick hands. His style is why he makes the plays he has made. Has the ability to be highly disruptive. Plays short armed and loses any speed and quickness advantage he has. At initial contact at the LOS he is the player who tends to go backwards. Gets stuck on blocks. Gets redirected in the run game too much. Doesn't handle double teams at all. It seems as if solid technique is used on him he's a non factor. Tries to rely on his quickness and loses his strength and power base in doing so. Has no reason to declare, he needs these two years of eligibility to fine tune his game. Dealt with a high ankle sprain all season which did play into his less than stellar play but he's not ready either way.
#94 Jarron Jones (rSo.) DT 6-5.5 315. Has appeared in 12 games with 1 start. Imposing stature! Extremely long arms. Good athleticism and coordination for such a big player. Tremendous power in his hands that jolts OL backward. Knows how to lock out and control them once he gets his arms extended. Has the ability to command (thru his strength and power) double teams as well as clog up running lanes. Makes a concerted effort to get those arms up to bat down passes. Is still relatively inconsistent. Is playing his third position as a 4-3 DT after being a 3-4 DE and then a 3-4 NT. Hasn't always been known as a hard worker. Had the immature label for a while. Still raw over all. Plays tall at times an loses leverage. Allows OL to get into his chest too much. Still learning hand placement. He has a world of upside but he's far from a finished product. He needs lots of reps and technique work. Skill set could translate to a top notch LT although he's headed in the right direction at DT. Doesn't declare.
#45 Romeo Okwara (Jr.) DE/OLB 6-4 260. Has appeared in 26 games with 1 start. 19 year old junior. Very athletic with long arms. As an OLB in Bob Diaco's 3-4 his responsibilities were to drop back into coverage and he looked coordinated and comfortable in doing so. Can hold his own as a run defender. Is plenty strong. He's a big hitter. Is fast but isn't the quickest off of the snap. Tends to get boxed out or redirected in the run game. Stays stuck to blocks for too long. More of a natural DE but needs to learn the technical aspects of the position better. Hasn't displayed much in the way of pass rush moves. Started the spring as the guy at weak side DE but has since lost traction in fall practice and lost the starting gig to true freshman Andrew Trumbetti. Will still get plenty of work but won't break out to the point of thinking of declaring.
#6 KeiVarae Russell (Jr.) CB 5-11 190. Has appeared in 26 games with 26 starts. Great athlete! Arrived on campus as a RB but make the switch to CB and adapted seamlessly. A player to be excited about. Great to watch. Brash and is a talker. Has a short memory. Technique is nearly impeccable. Knows how to use angles to his advantage. Footwork is really good. Knows how to use his hands against WR's. QB's rarely look his way and if a pass is completed on him he does a good job of keeping the play in front of him for short gains. Is almost equally as good in off coverage as he is in man. Willing tackler in the run game. Plays extremely smart. Isn't really big or strong. Has improved in both departments but he's still on the light side. Tackles low all the time which can be a gamble when only going for the feet and ankles. You rarely see him wrap up a RB or WR with a physical form tackle. Has to continue to get bigger and stronger but he has that "it" factor you want in a CB. Top flight player who no doubt will declare. Top 20 pick. Note: Being investigated for academic misconduct so his status is uncertain.
#22 Elijah Shumate (Jr.) SS 6-0 208. Has appeared in 22 games with 4 starts. Defensive backfields most athletic player. Hits extremely hard. Has LB type power when tackling. Tackles very well. Is. a natural run defender and enforcer. Has solid coverage skills as well. Despite his superior physical skill set he's still a backup due to not having the mental aspects of the position down. Will see a lot if game action but must break thru that mental barrier to become a starter and eventual good player. Doesn't declare.
#78 Ronnie Stanley (rSo.) LT 6-5.5 315. Has appeared in 15 games with 13 starts (all at RT). Making the transition to LT after Zack Martin's graduating. Very good athlete! Excellent foot speed and quickness in his kick slide. Long arms and is very coordinated. Well coached. Quick off of the snap into his stance. He can take on speed and power. Has a great deal of strength himself and rarely goes backwards when engaged with a pass rusher/run defender. Solid in his technique at all times. He's very consistent. Doesn't display a mean streak. Not a mauler or a big time man mover. Has the ability to be a top level LT. Should make a seamless transition and give consideration to leaving early but I don't think he will. A future 1st round pick but as of now he's a mid 2nd-early 3rd rounder.
Non draft eligible player(s) of note:
#1 Greg Bryant (rFr.) RB/PR 5-10 205. Has appeared in 3 games with 0 starts. Only had three carries on the season. Suffered a knee injury and decided to redshirt. Has explosive ability! Has great hands out if the backfield and is a very strong runner. Has Adrian Peterson type ability without the great home run speed. Needs to learn patience and allow his OL to set things up for him. He lacks that natural feel in this regard. Still adjusting to the mental aspect of the game.
#79 Steve Elmer (So.) G/T 6-5.5 315. Has appeared in 10 games with 4 starts (all at RG). Slated to play RT this season which is his more natural position. Big, athletic and strong he should be a mainstay in the lineup for years to come.
#10 Max Redfield (So.) FS 6-1 198. Has appeared in 12 games with 1 start. Ultra talented player with a huge upside. Great range and strong tackling ability. Slated to start after a frustrating freshman season. Getting the mental aspect of the position down so he should show signs of stardom this season.
#9 Jaylon Smith (So.) OLB 6-2.5 235. Has appeared in 13 games with 13 starts. A freshman sensation and a revelation. All world athleticism! Can blanket WR's in coverage and is an overall shutdown coverage LB. The type who will revolutionize the position. Playing the same position that Thomas Davis played in Brian VanGorder's defense at Georgia that turned him into a 1st round pick. Should flourish big time this season!