Keith Arnold of Inside the Irish asked several Notre Dame sites to submit their top 25 players. I was honored to submit on behalf of Her Loyal Sons and have my name appear between two guys whose writing I really enjoy: Pete Sampson of Irish Illustrated and JJ Stankevitz of CSN Chicago.
Here’s my list, with a short insight on why I picked each individual:
25. ALIZÉ JONES, TE (Group ranking: #29/Just missed the cut)
Tight end is a wide open position. Durham Smythe is the only person who caught a pass last year and is still on the roster – and he only caught one, 7-yard pass. Jones is a true freshman, but there’s great potential in terms of catching the football. If he can prove he’s an effective blocker, he’ll certainly see the field.
24. ROMEO OKWARA, DE (Group ranking: #26/Just missed the cut)
On a defensive line that was much maligned during the team’s second-half collapse, Okwara was a standout in one very important way: He led the team with four sacks. His 39 tackles total was good for tenth place on the defense. Losing Jarron Jones (40 tackles last year) is going to make it that much more important that Okwara has a great year.
23. JARRETT GRACE, LB (Group ranking: #33)
We haven’t seen Jarrett Grace in a game that counted since that devastating leg injury against Arizona State in the 2013 Shamrock Series. People may have forgotten, but Grace was on the ascent at that time. He was leading the team in tackles when he went down. It’s been a long, hard road back – with other players establishing themselves at linebacker in the interim. But I still believe Grace has what it takes to be a difference maker for the Irish, and that’s why he makes my top 25.
22. NYLES MORGAN, LB (Group ranking: #20)
To a man, I think everyone I talked to last year was impressed with Nyles Morgan’s raw skills. It was clear, however, that he had little idea what he was supposed to be doing within the complex scheme of Brian Van Gorder’s defense. That only intensified when Joe Schmidt, the team’s defensive signal caller, went down with a season-ending injury against Navy. Morgan has tremendous talent, and he’s going to be an integral part of a rotation that includes Jaylon Smith, Schmidt, Grace and James Onwualu. Despite just four starts last year, Morgan was seventh in the team in tackles. He deserves a spot in the top 25.
21. AMIR CARLISLE, WR (Group ranking: #28/Just missed the cut)
It seems like every year I’m certain this is the year Amir Carlisle avoids injury, breaks out and excites us all. He won’t be competing for the slot receiver position anymore with C.J. Prosise, as the latter seems destined to get more touches in the backfield in Greg Bryant’s year-long absence. Can Carlisle prove to be a top-25 talent again? I say yes.
20. JOE SCHMIDT, LB (Group ranking: #12)
If you’re not convinced that this former walk-on (drink!) was not a key component of last year’s defense, well, then, you weren’t paying close enough attention. Schmidt seems to be one of the few individuals who understands where the defense needs to be lined up at all times. His return to the field will help the Irish defense tremendously.
19. JERRY TILLERY, DL (Group ranking: #25)
With news that Jarron Jones is lost for the season with a serious knee injury, Jerry Tillery carries a lot more value to the Irish. Tillery will likely split reps with Daniel Cage and Pete Mokwuah. Tillery carries a lot of hype – which I believed I deserved – and acquitted himself well during the spring game. I’m hopeful the loss of Jones will be mitigated by the rise of Tillery. (We submitted our lists before news of Jones’ injury.)
18. ISSAC ROCHELL, DE (Group ranking: #14)
Brian Kelly had high praise for his hulking defensive end recently: “If he continues to play at this level, he’s virtually unblockable in a one-on-one situation.” Rochell (2.5 sacks; 39 tackles last year) will need to get to the quarterback more this year if the Irish defense wants to truly throw teams out of their rhythm. I like Rochell’s explosiveness and his versatility. He was an easy pick for #18.
17. GREG BRYANT, RB (Group ranking: #24)
This one hurts. I knew Bryant would be suspended for four games when I slotted him at #17, but I still remember that speed on the punt return against Louisville. If only he can be a bit more patient runner, he’s got the size….and then, word came down that Bryant was gone for the year due to poor grades. Like Ishaq Williams, there is such talent here that has yet gone unrealized.
16. JARRON JONES, DL (Group ranking: #11)
I shouldn’t have fretted whether to put Bryant ahead or behind Jarron Jones because, sadly, neither of them will see the field for the Irish in 2015. Jones, returning from a foot injury, has sustained a serious knee injury in a “freak” accident during an 11-on-11 drill. It will require surgery. The Irish will certainly miss this effective run-stopper in the middle, but my hope is that Jerry Tillery (#19 on this list) steps up in Jones’ absence.
15. C.J. PROSISE, RB/WR (Group ranking: #9)
I’m not sure the excitement could be higher about C.J. Prosise’s transition to running back. Prosise started learning the position even before Greg Bryant’s first suspension (for four games) was announced. We saw glimpses of Prosise’s explosive speed when he took an end-around 50 yards in the Music City Bowl. I expect Tarean Folston to get the lion’s share of carries, with Prosise being a nice complement. I look forward to see who (Justin Brent? Dexter Williams? Josh Adams?) emerges as the team’s third back.
14. STEVE ELMER, OG (Group ranking: #15)
Steve Elmer and Mike McGlinchey (who I left off my list, but finished 16th in the group ranking…oops) have a very important job this year: Protecting left hander Malik Zaire’s blind side. Elmer’s been moved around from guard to tackle to guard again due to some injuries last year, but he clearly works best on the inside. He had some excellent games last year, but consistency remains a mystery (hey, that rhymes!)
13. COREY ROBINSON, WR (Group ranking: #17)
Robinson is so much fun to watch. We saw hints of this in 2013 when he became the “throw it up and get it guy” for Tommy Rees – especially against Air Force. Robinson isn’t the elite talent that Michael Floyd was/is, but his unique physical traits make him a nightmare for some teams to match up against. He’ll be a great complement to Will Fuller. If teams start respecting Fuller by putting more bodies in his zone, expect Robinson to be one of Zaire’s favorite targets.
12. ELIJAH SHUMATE, S (Group ranking: #18)
This is Elijah Shumate’s year to prove his NFL worthiness, and I’m pushing all of my chips in the pot on this one. Shumate has always had the physical attributes necessary to wreak havoc on opposing receivers, but his judgment skills (both on and off the field) are sometimes lacking. With KeiVarae Russell and Cole Luke manning the corners, and Shumate and Redfield – who comes with his own heightened expectations – working the deeper parts, this should be the best defensive backfield we’ve seen since Shane Walton, Vontez Duff, Glenn Earl and Gerome Sapp.
11. NICK MARTIN, C (Group ranking: #8)
With Matt Hegarty moving on, the depth chart at center is Nick Martin. Zack’s younger brother was hampered by multiple injuries last year, which also caused a semi-disruptive shake-up on the offensive line to accommodate him. Martin is a respected teammate from all accounts and should be a captain again this year. I look to him to keep Malik Zaire focused when the breaks are beating the boys.
10. COLE LUKE, CB (Group ranking: #7)
I’m a big Cole Luke fan. Thrust into the primary CB position due to the loss of KeiVarae Russell right before the beginning of last season, Luke stepped up to the challenge. He had four interceptions, and broke up 11 passes – tied for the most since 1978. I can’t wait to see Luke and Russell together out there, especially if Luke manages to be even better than during his sophomore campaign.
9. JUSTIN YOON, K (Group ranking: #30/Just missed the cut)
There’s apparently a long-standing joke about HLS writers overvaluing kickers, but I’m too new to understand that I played right into it. Yoon has already been named the starter at kicker, and I have great expectations for him. I’m not yet sold that Notre Dame’s offense under Malik Zaire will be a well-oiled machine. If I’m right, that will create plenty of opportunities for Yoon to make 3 when 6 is unattainable. My bold prediction is that Yoon will be last year’s Will Fuller; my fellow experts will be embarrassed to have left him off their ballots.
8. MAX REDFIELD, S (Group ranking: #13)
Of the group, I was highest on Max Redfield. He’s pursuing an economics degree with a minor in Mandarin Chinese, which impresses the hell out of me. Redfield is capable of taking something difficult and translating it into something he can use – which is a necessity in Brian Van Gorder’s complicated defensive scheme. He has some real troubling moments last year, causing him to miss time. But he’s a true talent. Perhaps this position was an oversell, but I think very highly of his potential.
7. MALIK ZAIRE, QB (Group ranking: #10)
I love Malik Zaire’s confidence. I love that Malik Zaire can make a 60-yard pass look effortless. I love that Malik Zaire can run with the football and does a passable job with the read option. I love that Malik Zaire is left handed.
But…I’ve only seen the guy take 103 snaps. I’m worried that we’ve collectively placed all of these expectations on Zaire that he cannot possibly fulfill because he’s still, in many senses, a work in progress. The Irish’s entire fortunes will rest on Zaire staying healthy and playing well. If he struggles, Everett Golson is not walking out of that tunnel to pick up the slack. I’m going to be rooting hard for his success, but I expect more growing pains that perhaps others believe will occur.
6. SHELDON DAY, DL (Group ranking: #5)
When Sheldon Day is healthy, there’s no one on this team that does a better job clogging up the line of scrimmage. He’s a beast, and a true leader deserving of his captaincy. This is his last, best opportunity to make the case that he can provide a true pass-rush threat and a run-stuffer on an NFL level. The coaches are high on him and so am I.
5. TAREAN FOLSTON, RB (Group ranking: #6)
#RTDTF: Run the damn Tarean Folston. Folston is a historically slow starter, which the Irish won’t be able to accommodate as much with the loss of Greg Bryant. With a talented offensive line in front of him, I think 1,000 yards is a definite for him barring any injury that cuts into playing time. If the Irish can establish the running game early, they’re going to be hard to defend with Zaire having both the arm and the legs to beat defenses keying on Folston.
4. KEIVARAE RUSSELL, CB (Group ranking: #4)
Like Zaire, Russell talks a great game. Unlike Zaire, Russell has actually proven he can back that talk up with a dominating performance on the field. Even with Cole Luke’s emergence, Russell’s absence was certainly felt last year. He seems to have approached his year-long suspension the mature way, and his talents are going to pay great dividends for the Irish this year and the NFL in coming years.
3. WILL FULLER, WR (Group ranking: #3)
I’ll admit it: I’m not sure I knew Will Fuller’s name before the 2014 campaign started. Fuller and last year’s starting quarterback Everett Golson found a rhythm that worked out perfectly for the speedy receiver. Fuller grabbed 15 TDs and had more than 1,000 receiving yards – and still wasn’t a finalist for college’s highest receiver award! Regardless of accolades, opposing coaches are well aware of what a home run threat Fuller is.
2. RONNIE STANLEY, OT (Group ranking: #2)
Ronnie Stanley: Boy, when he plays with something to prove, they may be no finer offensive tackle in college football. Stanley shunned the NFL – and its millions – for another year with the Irish to make a deep run in the college football season and improve his game even more. Stanley is a human handcuff. Opposing defensive lineman will surely hate lining up against him – and his big body will provide wonderful protection for Zaire on bootlegs and roll-outs.
1. JAYLON SMITH, LB (Group ranking: #1)
Even if you hated the Irish, you’d have to respect the talent of Jaylon Smith. Regardless if he plays up the middle or picks a side, Smith has great natural instincts to find the ball carrier and drop him. He’s lived up to every expectation made of him, and he’s a NFL talent in waiting. His sole weakness seems to be checking defenses into correct calls. It was Smith, after all, who moved the defense to the exact wrong spot on a goal line stand versus Louisville. But he did it with confidence!
Just missed the cut
JAMES ONWUALU, LB
The hardest part about making a top-25 list is you’ve got to omit a couple of good people. Onwualu is a wide receiver turned undersized linebacker who made several starts last year. As I look forward to this year, however, I see Jaylon Smith eating into a lot of Onwualu’s playing time. I could see him being a necessary fresh-legged reserve or a capable starter in case of injury.
ANDREW TRUMBETTI, DE
Defensive end is certainly a position of need. I hope Trumbetti proves himself capable in reps he shares with Romeo Okwara.
DURHAM SMYTHE, TE
No disrespect intended to Smythe by leaving him off my list, but I’m frankly more excited about Jones’ potential. I would love to be wrong about this.
MATTHIAS FARLEY, CB/S
Farley is a wide receiver-turned-safety-turned-cornerback-turned-role-player-turned-starter. With KeiVarae Russell returned, expectations high for Max Redfield and the emergence of Cole Luke, Farley’s best attribute may be that he’s experienced it all during his five years at Notre Dame and will be a good leader on the team.
QUENTON NELSON, LG
Nelson is the starter at left guard, sandwiched between the talented Ronnie Stanley and the reliable Nick Martin – who heads back to center this year where he belongs. He’s expected to split time with Alex Bars. He may be top-25 talent, but I’m not expecting it this year from the redshirt freshman.
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TheHawkND
I agree about Yoon. A good FG kicker is needed to win those close games – FG’s cost ND a couple of games last year that they should have won. He definitely deserves to be in the top 10, at least in the Top 10 Most Important players. From videos posted, I like how his kicks look. They don’t have the “hook” that dooms a lot of kicks (while ND had a good kicker, there were too many balls hooking the past few years). I am excited about the kicking game this year….last year I was just petrified when ND went to kick….(but the year ended on a good note!)