Deion Colzie Continuing To Develop Is Essential For Notre Dame In 2023

Wide receiver Deion Colzie has improved over the last year, but another jump is needed for the Irish offense

Notre Dame wide receiver Deion Colzie has certainly come a long way in the last year, but the journey isn't over for the rising junior. In fact, you could argue Colzie is the poster boy for the Notre Dame receiving corps, which battled injuries, poor early season play and had plenty of doubters last fall, only to emerge late in the season. Now, Colzie emerging is an essential ingredient to this unit going from being a group with potential to one that can produce at a high level.

Colzie had a rough spring a year ago, battling injuries and some drops. Despite him just being a sophomore - and a young sophomore at that - many seemed to be ready to write Colzie off. His fall got off to a slow start once again as Colzie was getting back to good health. He didn't play a snap until the third week of the season, but even then Colzie played just 23 snaps through the season's first seven games.

Things started to turn around in Notre Dame's 41-27 win over Syracuse. Colzie played 30 snaps and caught 3 passes for 47 yards. Those numbers won't blow you away, but Colzie was open quite a bit in that game and he played quality football. In the final five games of the regular season Colzie hauled in 9 passes for 192 yards, including a career-high 75 yards against USC, which included his first career touchdown grab.

There still exist doubters of Colzie, but this spring we started to see him gain more and more confidence. We have yet to see Colzie consistently play to his potential, and he hasn't had a breakout yet, but this spring we saw him take yet a step in the right direction.

The question is does Colzie want to be a great player, and is he willing to take his focus, attention to detail and work to level required for him to maximize his athletic potential.

My contention has always been that Colzie has the physical tools to be an outstanding college receiver. He possesses elite size at 6-5 and 211 pounds with long arms. Colzie has surprisingly good speed for his size, which he showed in the last open practice by toasting All-American cornerback Benjamin Morrison on a post route. Colzie showed improved route running skills late last season, which is important in the boundary.

There really isn't any physical skill that Colzie lacks to be an impact player. The question has always been does he want to be great. Expressing it this way can make it seem like Colzie is lazy or not a hard worker, and that's not my intent. There is putting in good work, and then there is a dogged determination to be the best player you can be. That's what I'm waiting to see from Colzie. 

We are entering the period in his career that will likely determine if Colzie turns into a solid starter and key contributor, or if he become an impact pass catcher. Will he be solid, or will he become a difference maker. The tools are there for Colzie to be that kind of player. He took strides towards that this spring, but over the next five months he'll need to build on this and take his game to a higher level. 

If Colzie builds on the momentum he gained this spring and takes his work level, focus and pride in his craft to another level he'll erase any doubt about his game. We won't be talking about potential anymore with Colzie, we'll be talking about a wideout that is a key ingredient to an explosive offense. If Colzie gets stronger, enhances his release package and is more consistent with his route speed he becomes a matchup nightmare. It's hard to contain a player with his combination of size and speed, and that's why it is so important for Colzie to raise his game. We all know quarterback Sam Hartman loves throwing the deep ball to big receivers, and he and Colzie should connect a lot in the fall, assuming Colzie keeps building his game.

Imagine an offense that has Colzie on one side with Tobias Merriweather on the other, and both players are playing near their potential. How do you defend an offense that not only has those twin towers outside, the tight end talent Notre Dame possesses, and players like Jayden Thomas, Chris Tyree and possibly Lorenzo Styles in the slot. 

That makes it much, much harder for teams to also put the resources needed to slow down the run game. This is the kind of talent that should have Notre Dame fans excited about what this team can be.

But that's it, we are still talking potential. When the conversation with Colzie stops being about potential and is about his production he's going to quickly become a fan favorite, and the Irish offense will be very, very hard to stop. 

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Bryan Driskell
BRYAN DRISKELL

Bryan Driskell is the publisher of Irish Breakdown and has been covering Notre Dame football for over a decade. A former college football player and coach, Bryan and Irish Breakdown bring a level of expertise and analysis that is unmatched. From providing in depth looks at the Fighting Irish, breaking news stories and honest recruiting analysis, Irish Breakdown has everything Notre Dame football fans want and need. Bryan was previous a football analyst for Blue & Gold Illustrated before launching Irish Breakdown. He coached college football at Duquesne University, Muhlenberg College, Christopher Newport University, Wittenberg University and Defiance College. During his coaching career he was a pass game coordinator, recruiting coordinator, quarterbacks coach, running backs coach and wide receivers coach. Bryan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Salisbury University, where he played quarterback for the Sea Gulls. You can email Bryan at bryan@irishbreakdown.com. Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more. BECOME A MEMBER Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time! Follow Bryan on Twitter: @CoachD178Like and follow Irish Breakdown on FacebookSubscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channelSubscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes Sign up for the FREE Irish Breakdown daily newsletter