Tag: Brandon Joseph

Is Notre Dame a top 10 team entering 2023? 247Sports doesn’t think so

A bit low don’t you think?

As the college football season is set to finish this evening with [autotag]TCU[/autotag] facing [autotag]Georgia[/autotag] in the [autotag]College Football Playoff[/autotag] finale, it’s that time to look ahead at who will challenge to be in the game next year.

For [autotag]Notre Dame[/autotag], they are losing some stars (tight end [autotag]Michael Mayer[/autotag], defensive end [autotag]Isaiah Foskey[/autotag] and safety [autotag]Brandon Joseph[/autotag]) while they found a big time up-grade at quarterback with Wake Forest transfer [autotag]Sam Hartman[/autotag].

The player movement has many believing that the Irish will contend for a CFP spot but it seems like 247Sports isn’t thinking the same way. They released their way-too-early top 25 today and they ranked [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] and Notre Dame 13th.

It seems a bit low considering they have made an upgrade at the most important position with plenty of returning stars (cornerback [autotag]Ben Morrison[/autotag], offensive tackles [autotag]Joe Alt[/autotag] and [autotag]Blake Fisher[/autotag]). The highest vote they received was 10th, with is right around where they should have been rated.

[autotag]Tennessee[/autotag] has more questions than the Irish, they were ranked 12th. [autotag]Clemson[/autotag] had an up-and-down year and “return” their starting quarterback who just started his first game. The Tigers were 11th while [autotag]Oregon[/autotag] did make sense to me at 10.[autotag]Bo Nix[/autotag] returning helps while a big time recruiting class is on their way to Eugene.

It’s obvious that this could change, with the second signing period and more player movement in the transfer portal but having Notre Dame at 13, even right now, is too low.  Find out below where every team 247Sports ranked ended up.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Mike on Twitter: @MikeFChen

Notre Dame defender returning for sixth season

At Notre Dame, this is called the Shaun Crawford plan.

Notre Dame is getting an added boost of experience in the secondary for 2023 as safety [autotag]D.J. Brown[/autotag] has announced he’s returning for his sixth and final season of eligibility.  Brown redshirted in 2018 and is exercising the extra year of eligibility granted to all players due to the COVID year of 2020 to make this possible.

Brown has three career interceptions, all of which came in the 2021 campaign.  He started 10 games for Notre Dame in 2022 and finished fourth on the team in tackles with 48.  Brown’s experience will at least aid Notre Dame in what happens at safety in 2023 after [autotag]Brandon Joseph[/autotag] declared for the NFL draft and Houston Griffith used up his remaining eligibility.

Brown brings experience to the position which juniors [autotag]Xavier Watts[/autotag] and [autotag]Ramon Henderson[/autotag] will also return to play.  [autotag]Thomas Harper[/autotag] transferred in from Oklahoma State last week to join the group while [autotag]Justin Walters[/autotag] returns as a sophomore in 2023 after not playing a single snap there as a true freshman.  Freshmen [autotag]Ben Minich[/autotag] and [autotag]Adon Shuler[/autotag] are set to join the safety group this coming season as well.

Enjoy some of the best photos from Brown’s first five years at Notre Dame below!

[listicle id=66383]

Notre Dame safety is off to the NFL after just one season in South Bend

Good luck Brandon!

When [autotag]Northwestern[/autotag] safety [autotag]Brandon Joseph[/autotag] entered the transfer portal last season, [autotag]Notre Dame[/autotag] was viewed as a perfect fit for the former All-American. The marriage happened but it was a short one as today Joseph declared for the [autotag]NFL Draft[/autotag].

He did have one remaining season left to play, due to the extra year given out to players during the shortened COVID-19 season, but Joseph will now move on to the NFL.

During his lone season for the Irish, he had 30 tackles, one interception, and forced a fumble. Joseph also returned 18 punts for 179 yards with a long of 20 on the season.

At the beginning of the season, Joseph was viewed as a potential first round selection. It really is unknown where he will land at this point in time, but wherever he ends up, that team will be extremely happy with the player they are getting. We wish Joseph the best in “The League.”

[lawrence-related id=56399]

[lawrence-related id=56492]

[lawrence-related id=55908]

[lawrence-related id=66917]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz1mmy7gev0xbr player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Mike on Twitter: @MikeFChen

Should Notre Dame pursue Texas quarterback in portal?

Should Notre Dame be looking to the Longhorn state for help at quarterback next year? Thanks to @jhickey24 & @longhornswire for the scouting report!

College football’s postseason and offseason are so different now than they were just a few short years ago. One reason is the transfer portal. Welcome to recruiting on steroids that moves at the pace of a Formula 1 car instead of a big semi. Thanks to the portal, teams can freely recruit players from other schools to fill positions of need.

Notre Dame hasn’t had a huge number of players enter via the portal, but some select difference-makers certainly have. [autotag]Ben Skowronek[/autotag] led the team in receiving yards in 2020 after transferring from Northwestern. [autotag]Jack Coan[/autotag] went 11-1 as the starting quarterback in the 2021 regular season after being passed over at Wisconsin due to injury. And this season another former Northwestern star, safety [autotag]Brandon Joseph[/autotag], made the biggest impact as a transfer.

We don’t expect Notre Dame to be bring in loads of new faces as did USC, LSU and others did via the portal last offseason, but we do expect them to search for a veteran quarterback. [autotag]Drew Pyne[/autotag]’s limited ceiling, [autotag]Tyler Buchner[/autotag]’s never-ending injury concerns and the lack of experience on the rest of the depth chart tells you exactly why it makes sense.  

So with that in mind, we’re taking a look at potential quarterbacks for Notre Dame to land via the portal. What is their backstory? Why are they leaving their schools? What is their potential as collegiate starter in 2022? We’re seeking out the help of our experts with connections to other programs in doing so.

Texas quarterback [autotag]Hudson Card[/autotag] announced Tuesday that he’ll enter the portal. Could the former Longhorns starter be a fit for Notre Dame? Here’s how our colleague, Joey Hickey at Longhorns Wire breaks down Card.

Should Chicago’s college football team try poaching another from Chicago’s Big Ten team?

Should Chicago’s college football team try to poach another from Chicago’s Big Ten team?

Notre Dame doesn’t use the transfer portal like Lincoln Riley and USC, as the Trojans have become college football’s version of shopping on Black Friday.  The end result may be great but the process in getting there makes you want to vomit.

Notre Dame has been known to pick their spots in the portal, however.  We’ve been tracking all the quarterbacks who enter the portal for obvious reasons, but a compelling non-quarterback entered Tuesday.  It’s especially compelling for Notre Dame because it’s a program just down the road that the Irish have poached a couple of talents from in recent years.

Malik Washington was Northwestern’s leading receiver this past season and entered the portal Tuesday.  He’s listed at 5-9, 180 pounds and although nobody would describe him as a burner, he consistently makes plays on the ball.  It should also be noted that perhaps no Power Five team has had less production from their quarterbacks in the past two seasons.

Washington hauled in 65 receptions for 694 yards (10.7 avg) this year, the sixth-highest total in the entire Big Ten.  He did find the end zone just once but then again, Northwestern threw for just 10 touchdowns all year.

Notre Dame had massive receiver issues this season as a sophomore [autotag]Lorenzo Styles[/autotag] was the only one to amass 300 yards.  If it wasn’t [autotag]Michael Mayer[/autotag] chances are it wasn’t getting done in the passing game and the group of receivers would certainly use some help and experience.

Wide receivers coach [autotag]Chansi Stuckey[/autotag] has the cavalry coming but counting on several underclassmen is a risk I certainly wouldn’t prefer taking.  Growth and development will help Styles, [autotag]Deion Colzie[/autotag], [autotag]Tobias Merriweather[/autotag], and the incoming freshman group, but it would certainly be nice to have some proven veteran experience as well and Washington would accomplish that.

And heck, [autotag]Ara Parseghian[/autotag], [autotag]Ben Skowronek[/autotag], and [autotag]Brandon Joseph[/autotag] all worked out alright so why not do it again?

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz1mmy7gev0xbr player_id=none image=https://fightingirishwire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[lawrence-related id=65495,65352,65318]

[listicle id=65328]

Marcus Freeman updates Notre Dame injuries ahead of USC showdown

Relatively small list which is good news heading into a huge game

Notre Dame will be in fairly good shape healthwise when they enter the Los Angeles Coliseum in hopes of wrecking USC’s College Football Playoff dreams on Saturday night.  Marcus Freeman held his weekly press conference on Monday and gave the following updates in regard to player health.

“[autotag]Cam Hart[/autotag] will probably be questionable for this one. He had a shoulder injury that he had previously, but he had a shoulder injury. [autotag]Isaiah Foskey[/autotag] is probable. Mitch Evans I would say is probable with the ankle sprain. Probable for [autotag]Jayson Ademilola[/autotag], probable for [autotag]Brandon Joseph[/autotag], still questionable for [autotag]Tobias Merriweather[/autotag]. Still trying to see his recovery of the concussion.” -Marcus Freeman on Nov. 21, 2022

Obviously with USC’s talent at wide receiver the Hart status is a bit concerning.  Getting Joseph back, which it sounds like is going to happen, should go a long way as well after he’s missed the last two contests.

More Notre Dame-USC coverage:

A first glance at USC

ESPN FPI increases Notre Dame’s upset chances

Notre Dame’s statistical leaders for 2022

College Football Playoff ranking projections following Week 12

[mm-video type=video id=01gjh09ehjzsb1pyjvzp playlist_id=01eqbz1mmy7gev0xbr player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gjh09ehjzsb1pyjvzp/01gjh09ehjzsb1pyjvzp-89c789233edfb160dc4c69edcae99518.jpg]

[listicle id=64940]

Notre Dame-Boston College: Irish injury update before kickoff

Hate to see players unable to play on their senior day

Notre Dame will take the field on their senior day a hair shorthanded.  We already knew that a good amount of players were going through various ailments as Marcus Freeman updated the masses earlier in the week.  We now have official word as three Notre Dame players won’t be able to play today.

Officially out for today are:

  • Wide receiver [autotag]Tobias Merriweather[/autotag]
  • Safety [autotag]Brandon Joseph[/autotag]
  • Defensive lineman [autotag]Jayson Ademilola[/autotag]

Merriweather and Joseph were expected but the Ademilola one is new as he wasn’t even mentioned by Freeman earlier in the week.  This official word comes straight from Notre Dame football’s public relations department.  Although I don’t think these will have much of an impact on what should be an easy Irish victory, it stinks to see Joseph and Ademilola not being able to play on their special days.

[listicle id=64760]

 

Notre Dame injury update ahead of Boston College game

An updated look at Notre Dame’s injury report ahead of Boston College game.

When you make it to the last couple of weeks of November no football player is 100%.  That’s certainly the case for Notre Dame as with two games remaining, plenty of players are dealing with their own issues from concussions to bruises to sprains and plenty else.

[autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag]’s final media availability before Saturday’s senior day kickoff against Boston College took place on Thursday. During it, he updated the status of more than just a few of the players who are battling through some things.  Here is the latest we have from Freeman on several of the Fighting Irish players working to return to the field.

Lions draft watch: Clemson vs. Notre Dame scouting preview

The Lions will be in attendance to scout many 2023 NFL draft prospects in South Bend

One of the big games on the college football slate in Week 10 of the CFB season takes place in South Bend. Clemson visits Notre Dame in a widely anticipated game that features several 2023 NFL draft prospects.

It’s a game where the Detroit Lions will be among many NFL teams in attendance to check out potential draftees. I’ll be there as well when the fourth-ranked Tigers play the 5-3 Fighting Irish on Saturday night.

Here are some of the players to know through Lions draft eyes.

How Twitter reacted to Notre Dame-Syracuse: Irish side

How are you feeling after that win?

This was supposed to be the front half of a tough back-to-back for Notre Dame. Sure, Syracuse had just lost to Clemson, but it still looked like a tough opponent. All of that went out the window when [autotag]Brandon Joseph[/autotag] had a pick-six on the first play from scrimmage, and the Irish almost never looked back in a 41-24 win. It gives them momentum they absolutely needed ahead of when they face Clemson themselves next week.

Although any chance of something significant coming out of this season has passed, Irish fans are waiting to see what can be salvaged. This win means there’s a good chance the Irish will finish with seven wins, and that surely would be welcome considering the disappointments that have happened this year. That fact is not lost on Irish fans, and they took to Twitter after the game to express their happiness. Here are a few examples: