Breaking Out: Could Micah Gilbert be the Offensive Catalyst Notre Dame Needs?
There has been a lot of talk regarding the lackluster start the Notre Dame wide receiver group has had to the season. With Micah Gilbert's impressive performance against Michigan State, he could be exactly what this offense needs going forward.
Via USA TODAY NETWORK via Reuters Connect
This wide receiver group came into this season with lofty expectations. They have the talent, the quarterback, and an offensive system that seemed like the perfect scenario for this group to hit the next level. Through three games, the Notre Dame passing attack has looked largely the same, with the receiving core still struggling to provide consistent, explosive, and dangerous options for CJ Carr. While the group is still looking to find their footing, Micah Gilbert may have finally hit his stride against MSU with a breakout performance.
Gilbert made his mark against the Spartans from the opening play of the game, linking up with Carr for a 61-yard pass completion. The play not only set up the offense in field goal range, but it was also the kind of explosive play this offense has been lacking against P4 competition. Gilbert then went on to be the most important piece of the Irish offense throughout the remainder of the contest. He caught a pass on a key fourth down to extend a drive and was the target on multiple mid-to-deep passes to move the chains. Gilbert was a consistent and reliable weapon for the Irish offense all game long as a chain-mover and big-play option. He went on to cap off his career night with another explosive play, getting behind the defense once again for a 39-yard completion, which required an acrobatic effort to set the Irish up in the red zone. Gilbert finished the night with 170 receiving yards, marking the most by a Notre Dame player since Chase Claypool in 2017.
The good news for Notre Dame is that the Irish may have found another reliable receiving option besides Jordan Faison who can sustain the offense through the air. If they can keep both of them heavily involved, defenses will have a much harder time zeroing in on just one player. To add to that, this performance could be the spark and confidence boost the entire room needs.
Despite Gilbert's performance, there were only three receivers who recorded receptions. Among them was Mylan Graham, who only recorded one reception for eight yards. For a former five-star player, Graham has yet to show any kind of true impact or real separation in a game this season. In total, he only has three catches for 32 yards this season. Jaden Greathouse, another presumed leader of this core, has also been quiet through the first three games, only recording four receptions thus far. Greathouse should be a go-to target at this point in his career, but his time at Notre Dame has been marked by inconsistency. He is another player who needs to find a way to get himself going if this group wants to evolve and take that next step.
Gilbert's performance against MSU is one of the reasons why people were excited about this group. It was projected to contain a lot of players capable of a performance like his. If Gilbert, or others not named Jordan Faison, can continue to string together impressive showings, it will make it incredibly difficult for defenses to predict where the ball is going. The Fighting Irish offense, as a whole, feels like it still has another gear to hit - both through the air and on the ground. The run game has not quite clicked yet, and the passing attack still feels like a one-or two-man show. If it does all come together, with the way they are currently playing defense, this team will be exactly who so many thought they would be: national championship contenders. If it doesn't, this team will still be good, but it will lack the consistent offense needed to navigate the gauntlet that is the College Football Playoffs.
Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism.
Follow The Irish Tribune on social media:
Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox.
Check out our Irish partners:
TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here!
Comments