Tag: Notre Dame depth chart

Injured Notre Dame linebacker Marist Liufau out for season

Tough loss for the Irish.

If Notre Dame is going to uphold its defensive reputation, it will have to do so without one of its returning linebackers. Last week, junior Marist Liufau was dealt a major injury in practice. It turned out to be a broken ankle, and he ended up needing surgery, which took place Monday morning. However, Brian Kelly said during a news conference later in the day that Liufau will miss the entire season.

Liufau was expected to start at Will linebacker this season. With that possibility out the window, the depth chart for the Irish’s season opener against Florida State lists junior JD Bertand as the new starter. Backing up Bertrand is senior Shayne Simon.

After seeing limited action as a freshman in 2019, Liufau played 10 games in 2020 while recording 22 tackles, six apiece coming in the ACC Championship Game and the Rose Bowl.

Bertrand played in seven games in 2020 and recorded seven tackles, while Simon had 14 tackles while starting eight of 11 games.

Notre Dame/Florida State: Shakeup in Irish secondary pregame?

Is there a change of plans for the Notre Dame secondary tonight? Pregame work outs seem to indicate as much. Keep an eye out.

We’re quickly approaching kickoff between No. 5 Notre Dame and Florida State and we’ve got some news regarding tonight’s depth chart for the Irish.

Per reports from various media members at Notre Dame Stadium tonight, it appears the secondary will look a bit different.

That list in the secondary is missing the name Nick McCloud, the graduate transfer who started both games this season at one of the corner positions, opposite Bracy.

McCloud was not mentioned by Kelly during the week as being unavailable, nor was he mentioned as one of the unavailable players by Notre Dame PR earlier Saturday.

It could be a shakeup or it could be a whole lot of nothing.  Either way it’s something to keep your eye on with the Notre Dame defense tonight.

Notre Dame football: Senior linebacker leaves program

With the 2020 season set to begin Saturday for Notre Dame as they host ACC opponent Duke, the Irish will be without senior linebacker Jordan Genmark Heath, as the senior linebacker has opted to leave the football program.

With the 2020 season set to begin Saturday for Notre Dame as they host ACC opponent Duke, the Irish will be without senior linebacker Jordan Genmark Heath, as the senior linebacker has opted to leave the football program.

Genmark Heath figured to be in the running to start for the Irish at their Buck linebacker position but the depth chart released to the public on Monday made no mention of his name.

Hours later, Genmark Heath shared his plans for the future on Twitter.

Genmark Heath, a senior from Cathedral Catholic in San Diego, started the opener against Louisville in 2019 and played in all 13 games in each of the last three seasons.  Genmark Heath recorded 42 tackles in his three seasons with the Fighting Irish, one being for loss against Michigan last year.

Genmark Heath is currently enrolled in Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business.

 

Notre Dame Football: Is a leader at running back emerging?

Does Notre Dame have a running back starting to emerge from the back in the battle for reps?

One thing we’ve discussed this summer is that Notre Dame has a stockpile of options at running back, but that there isn’t a lot of faith in what those backs will be able to in 2020.

When Brian Kelly met the media for the first time back in the first week of fall camp, he noted the weight freshman Chris Tyree came in at and that Tyree wasn’t going to just be a gadget guy in 2020.  Kelly was also complimentary towards another running back earlier this week when asked about red-shirt freshman, Kyren Williams.

“I think the hard work, his commitment in the offseason has put himself in a position now where he’s what we thought he would be,” Kelly said. “He can catch the football. He’s got really good vision, escapability. He’s not afraid to block or run the ball up between the tackles so he’s going to be a really key piece for us moving into the season.” – HC Brian Kelly

Liam Eichenberg was interviewed after a recent practice and shared the following while discussing the offensive, specifically the running backs:

“The running backs – Kyren Williams is having a great camp. The offense is rolling. It’s been good.” – LT Liam Eichenberg

Williams played in the first four games of 2019 as a true freshman, getting four carries and one reception that totaled 29 yards.  He also returned a pair of kickoffs for a combined 35 yards.

It’s early and it’s going strictly on words from his coach and teammate, but it would appear Kyren Williams is turning heads and doing a lot to earn a good amount of touches early in the 2020 campaign.