Pokemon GO IRISH! - Her Loyal Sons

Keep an eye out in Pokemon GO and you might seem some striking similarities between current Notre Dame players and your favorite Pokemon!

Unless you literally live under a rock, you’ve probably seen the latest craze that is sweeping the world of social media. Pokemon GO has taken over the lives, timelines, walls, and feeds of everyone you know, and it shows no sign of stopping or slowing down any time soon. Recently, the @FightingIrish twitter account conducted a tour of the Notre Dame campus in search of local Pokemon via the Pokemon GO app. In keeping with this idea, we came up with a few examples of some players and personnel on the Notre Dame Football team and the Pokemon you might spot in Pokemon GO that they happen to look like!

For the sake of this post I will be making references to the original Red and Blue versions of the video game for Gameboy. Just a heads up.

Grab your (poke)balls and let’s dive right into it!

Torii Hunter Jr – WR

Looks like: Scyther

A flying, bug type with gigantic blades for hands, Scyther is the perfect match for Torii Hunter Jr. Hunter will be making his mark cutting through opposing secondaries all season long as the presumable number one for Notre Dame’s wide receiving core. Scyther is one of the most elusive and annoying Pokemon to catch in Pokemon GO, so if you see him, make sure you make the most of your opportunity or he’ll make you pay. And maybe name him “Hunter” just for kicks 😉

Isaac Rochell – DE

Looks like: Lapras

Lapras is known in the Pokemon universe as a stoic, reliable, loyal creature whose calm demeanor hides its formidable strength and resilience. It has one of the highest HP stats of the entire game and at times can seem unbreakable. Rochell has been nothing if not consistently formidable throughout his career at Notre Dame, albeit in the shadow of a player the likes of Sheldon Day. Is this the year Rochell breaks through as the Irish answer at pass rush? Lapras, use Swim Move! It’s super effective!

Tarean Folston – RB

Looks like: Tauros

This one is almost too easy. Tauros? Tarean? Running Back? Raging Bull Pokemon? In the original Gameboy games, the wait for a Tauros was long and arduous, as they could only be found in the town with the 5th Badge and only within an area called the Safari Zone, where even then you had a time limit and terrible resources to catch one. After a very promising first year as a member of the active roster, the chance to see Folston in action would have to wait another year after a year-ending knee injury. “Safari Zone? See you in the end zone, bitch.” – Folston, probably.

Cole Luke – CB

Looks like: Nidorino

Few Pokemon are known to defend their territory as fiercely as Nidorinos looking out for their new families, and with all the changes this Notre Dame secondary is expected to go through in 2016, Nidorino felt like the perfect Pokemon for Cole Luke. They’re aggressive, are poisonous to the touch, and will catch you not looking whenever the opportunity presents itself. Opposing wide receivers better mind their Ps and Qs in 2016, because Cole Luke isn’t going down without a fight! Who knows, maybe this will be the year his game evolves…

Josh Adams – RB

Looks like: Jolteon

Jolteon is one of many possible evolutions for a Pokemon called Eevee, which are commonly known as the Eeveelutions. Jolteon, the electric type, happens to be the fastest Pokemon in the original 150, and with the departure of Will Fuller, there is an argument to be made that Josh Adams may sneak up and take the title of fastest player on the offense in 2016. As a freshman, the wide-eyed Adams scampered to a Notre Dame Freshman Record 835 yards, and 6 TDs while splitting time with CJ Prosise. Maybe lightning will strike twice, and Adams can continue to electrify the offense in 2016. Wouldn’t exactly be a shocker! OK, i’m done i’m sorry.

Shaun Crawford – CB

Looks like: Abra

You may be looking at that weirdo and be thinking, “No way, Shaun Crawford is one of the most hyped players on the team. That guy looks dumb!” Trust me, what you don’t know about Abra is that he eventually evolves into the second most powerful Psychic pokemon in the game, and only second to number 1 who happens to be the ever-famous Mewtwo. Abra’s young, but his two evolutions are aptly named Kadabra and Alakazam, because like Abra’s evolution tree suggests Crawford may just shock audiences this fall with his amazing abilities. Abra also happens to be known for Teleporting from place to place, and word on the street is that Crawford is now the fastest player on the team. Are you watching closely?

Alize Jones – TE

Looks like: Gengar

The face of terror in Pokemon games is Gengar, the ghost type Pokemon. Gengar is a mismatch for just about anything aside from Psychic Pokemon. Its specialty is causing Nightmares for the opposition, and using its finishing move Dream Eater. You can use your imagination with what that means. Who better to fit this description than the Alize Jones? Defenses will be losing sleep all season trying to figure out how to stop him, and many a dream will be devoured by his moves. I hope some Defensive Coordinator out there is psychic, or at least smart enough to run from this battle.

Drue Tranquill – S

Looks like: Arcanine

Among the most heroic-looking Pokemon, Arcanine is a symbol of leadership and dedication, with a reputation for companionship that is unparalleled in the games. Not only are they among the most powerful attackers in the game, their added Fire type adds the potential for getting burnt in the process. Drue Tranquill’s past two seasons have been cut short by injury, and yet his spirit and dedication have never wavered. Give Tranquill and opportunity to light you up, and you will get burnt. Just ask Georgia Tech.

Brandon Wimbush – QB

Looks like: Wartortle

Among the original three starter Pokemon (Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander) the Squirtle evolution tree is perhaps the most well-rounded. They have very high durability due to their high defensive stats, and as they evolve their attacks eventually develop into LITERAL CANONS. While young and perhaps a little hotheaded, Wartortles are just itching for an opportunity to bust our of their shells and show the world what they really got. Brandon Wimbush: The Evolving Wartortle who just can’t wait to unleash his canons upon the College Football world.

Nyles Morgan – LB

Looks like: Magmar

Seriously, he LOOKS JUST LIKE THE GUY HOLY CRAP. Its the eyes. Scratch that, it’s just everything.

Jerry Tillery – NG

Looks like: Rhydon

When Tillery is on, there seems to be no stopping him. He’s massive, and powerful, and opposing offenses fear his every move. Rhydon happens to be among the most massive Pokemon in the game, and is much faster on its feet than it appears, with above average Speed stats. The problem with Rhydon is that it has many weaknesses, and as such can sometimes require frequent recovery. If Tillery can overcome his conditioning and find a way to stick out more snaps per game, O-lines nationwide better beware.

Terry Jillery – NG

Looks like: Snorlax

You know I had to.

Deshone Kizer – QB

Looks like: Hitmonchan

Warrior. Fighter. Rocket-powered arm. Underrated value. All these things apply to when Hitmonchan and DeShone Kizer first joined their teams. Kizer was regarded as a bench-warmer when he joined the Fighting Irish, perceived to be light years behind his competition. When you get Hitmonchan in the game, he is level 25, and it is at a point where in order to progress your team should be at level 40+. What people fail to recognize is that Hitmonchan is in the top 5 for Attack Power in the entire original game, and should not be overlooked. While everyone’s starter usually plays out to be their favorite Pokemon, maybe giving the bench guys a shot might pay off too. #TeamKizer?

Malik Zaire – QB

Looks like: Pikachu

Of course he does, look at that damn smile! This one should make sense. He’s the current “face of the program” (for now), gets almost all of the attention, is the one everyone and their mom actually know by name, and is stupidly adorable. Ok maybe not that last one, but tell me you don’t love you some Malik Zaire! Regardless of whoever wins the competition, the first Pikachu I find in Pokemon GO is being named Zaire and you can’t stop me! #TeamZaire

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SupermanTDJesus

Video Wizard, Podcast Co-Host
"He's what would've happened if Jesus knew Final Cut" - Ty Hildenbrant, The Solid Verbal

SupermanTDJesus is a video-making, and podcast-talking person. He favors caps lock and expressing himself through pictures and GIFs during games. His videos are a mix up of the cool football plays from the previous week's Notre Dame game, tooooootally spectacular editing, and the most polarizing music selections. Sometimes, he'll write nice things.

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