Rob Hunt provided a plethora of injury updates that will dictate the outlook of spring practice for the Fighting Irish.
Art by The Irish Tribune
Head football athletic trainer Rob Hunt gave an update about the availability of Notre Dame's roster for upcoming spring practices.
With the elongated college football season that had the Fighting Irish playing from August to mid-January, the training and recovery process is something that will be a work-in-progress.
Many starters last year who played numerous snaps will be on somewhat of a "pitch count", in which they will be taking reps and participating without being a full-go. This list of players includes: Adon Shuler, Aamil Wagner, Bryce Young, Christian Gray, Drayk Bowen, Jaden Greathouse, Jaylen Sneed, Josh Burnham and Leonard Moore.
There are players that will have "modified activity" which includes: Anthonie Knapp, Will Pauling, and Billy Schrauth.
The notable players that are out for spring are: Jordan Botelho, Ashton Craig, Cooper Flanagan, Boubacar Traore, and Jalen Stroman. While all the returning players from the Fighting Irish's team last year were expected, the Virginia Tech transfer, Stroman, still recovering from his clavicle injury from last season opens some doors for new players to step-in.
Amid these injuries and limited snaps, let's look for some players to stand out during spring practice.
Safeties: Luke Talich and Kennedy Urlacher
With Stroman's injury taking the transfer portal acquisition out of spring ball entirely, the Irish will have an open competition to see who can play alongside Adon Shuler next season.
Even with Shuler on limited snaps during spring, safeties Luke Talich and Kennedy Urlacher are primed to make a move up the depth chart.
Being stuck behind All-American Xavier Watts and Shuler last year, Talich and Urlacher didn't receive many playing opportunities; yet, when they did get their chance, both players made the most of it.
Talich's shining moment from last season was his 79-yard pick six against Florida State that put the cherry on top of a 52-3 rout of the Seminoles.
Urlacher's greatest moments came against Purdue last season, as the true freshman was flying across the field and demonstrating his freakish athletic ability.
With the safety position basically being vacant during spring practice, I'd expect these two players to distinguish themselves in the prime opportunity.
Wide Receivers: Cam Williams and Micah Gilbert
The next two prospects that have an opportunity to etch their way into playing time are Cam Williams and Micah Gilbert.
Let's start with Williams, who was the higher rated prospect in the class of 2024, but saw a harder time adjusting to the college level.
With Will Pauling limited during spring ball due to a right fifth metatarsal injury and Jordan Faison playing on the lacrosse team, Williams has an opportunity to get increased snaps during the spring.
In a similar manner, UVA transfer Malachi Fields is coming during the summer which leaves the boundary receiver position wide open. Insert Micah Gilbert.
Gilbert has shown flashes of greatness, especially last spring as an early enrollee as he was the leading receiving in Notre Dame's Blue-Gold game. He also saw playing time this season and demonstrated the ability to create separation in his sparing minutes.
With both young receivers showing immense promise and the receiving room being stretched thin, Williams and Gilbert have the chance to prove they are reliable options come next season.
Offensive Lineman: Guerby Lambert
Marcus Freeman always states that the strength and identity of Notre Dame football starts in the trenches. There is no better example of unit strength than the Irish's offensive line.
Even with the departures of Pat Coogan, Sam Pendleton, and Rocco Spindler, the Irish are primed to have a Joe Moore Award caliber offensive line next season.
The only question is: What will the line look like?
Will Charles Jagusah remain at left tackle as he was intended to last season? Will he move inside to guard where he was the highest ranked player on the offensive line in the Orange Bowl game against Penn State?
Joe Rudolph has all spring and summer camp to figure out the answer. In my opinion, there are three locks for the offensive line as it stands right now.
Wagner, Jagusah, and Schrauth are all Day One prospects for the NFL Draft. They will be 3/5 of your starting line. Now, it's a numbers game.
How will Ashton Craig come back from his knee injury? Will Anthonie Knapp seamlessly transition into the interior offensive line?
The biggest question mark lies within the development of Guerby Lambert. Lambert, from a physical sense, looks to be the next "great" in the offensive line room. Could he have so impressive of a spring that the coaches cannot deny but give him the opportunity? That is the biggest question. If so, then you have Jagusah transitioning into a guard, and then have Knapp and Craig fight for the center position.
The Fighting Irish have an embarrassment of riches along the line, and it should be interesting to see how the positions play out.
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