Notre Dame Spring Kickoff: What To Look For From The Irish Offense
Notre Dame kicks off the 2024 spring today, which marks the third spring for head coach Marcus Freeman. It will be our first glimpse into what the 2024 Fighting Irish squad will look like.
There are plenty of things I am looking for, but as we kick things off here are the top things I'll have my eye on with the offense at this first spring practice.
NOTRE DAME OFFENSE
Here is what I'll be looking for from the Fighting Irish offense:
1. Initial Changes From Mike Denbrock - We won't know all the changes that new offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock plans to make until the fall, but I'm looking forward to seeing the initial changes. I expect to see more 11 personnel, but how much of a shift will it be? How will he use the running backs? What pass game adjustments will he make? What will the schematic adjustments be in the run game? We'll get an early look at all of these areas, and I'm looking forward to seeing it.
2. Riley Leonard The Thrower - We all know that Riley Leonard is a dynamic runner. In fact, he's arguably the most dynamic running quarterback at the Power 4 level. What I am most interested in seeing in the early practices is what Leonard has as a thrower. I want to see first hand how the ball comes out of his hand. I want to see if he's been able to clean up his footwork. I want to see how he handles the intermediate to deep zones. I also want to see how quickly he gets on the same page as the pass catchers.
3. Offensive Line Makeover - The offensive line started its makeover heading into the bowl win over Oregon State, but are more changes coming? I expect to see the same five starters from the bowl game line up to start the spring, but how will the young talent look? Are Charles Jagusah, Billy Schrauth and Ashton Craig ready to take another big step forward? What will the right tackle battle look like? Will Sullivan Absher or Sam Pendleton make a jump? There's a lot of talent up front, and this line is going to be huge, but just who emerges as the top blockers, and how good can this group really be? I'll be spending a lot of time focusing on this group, that's for sure.
4. Transfer Receivers - Notre Dame needed an infusion of speed at wide receiver, and that was true even before it lost its two best big play weapons from the 2023 offense (Chris Tyree, Tobias Merriweather). Landing transfer Kris Mitchell and Jayden Harrison gave the Irish a pair of dynamic athletes at the wide receiver position. Mitchell had a 1,000-yard season at Florida International and Harrison was a first-team All-American kick returner. How will their impact speed translate to a place like Notre Dame? I'm very much looking forward to seeing what this duo can do, especially Mitchell, who has a chance to give the Irish the kind of consistent big-play weapon it hasn't had since Will Fuller left.
5. Who Are The Playmakers - Sure, getting Mitchell and/or Harrison to add big play production to the pass game would help, but there needs to be more. Notre Dame has to become a more efficient and explosive offense, especially against the best teams on the schedule. Who will become those playmakers at wide receiver and running back? I can't wait to see the Jeremiyah Love-Jadarian Price combo at running back. Does Jaden Greathouse breakout after flashing big time potential as a rookie? Does a tight end step up with Mitchell Evans out? Does the light go on for Deion Colzie? Can Jayden Thomas go from steady to standout? I can't wait to see how much of this happens in the spring.
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