SOUTH BEND, IN — marcus freeman I don't want to give too much credit to Notre Dame's early incoming freshmen.
The Notre Dame football head coach said the same thing and did a lot of dancing when asked broad and specific questions about the 15 scholarship freshmen who officially joined the program in January. With four games remaining on Notre Dame's spring football schedule, Freeman wants his young players to avoid comparing themselves to other players or their former players.
“I spend so much time explaining to the freshmen how different their paths are, right?” Freeman said after Saturday's practice. “There are players who come here and are ready to go. There are some who will take a few years. You have yours. Xavier Wattseth and you have yours benjamin morrison's. A ceiling is a ceiling, right? But I hope our players don't just watch the Benjamin Morrisons, they watch the journey of Xavier Watts. ”
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► Transcript: What Marcus Freeman said after Notre Dame spring practice #4
► Assessing OT Amir Wagner's bid to top Notre Dame's depth chart
► Notes: Notre Dame's offensive line competition is just beginning
► Notre Dame football depth chart prediction for spring practice
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Watts, a former wide receiver rookie, waited until his senior season in 2023 to become a full-time starter at safety and finished the year as the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner as the nation's top defensive player. finished. Morrison, a cornerback, earned a starting role as a freshman in 2022 and was a freshman All-American.
Freeman expressed great concern about giving someone too much credit too soon or making someone feel left behind, leading his answer to a question about the freshman running back's pass protection abilities. Kedren Young and Aneyas Williams into the same refrain.
“I'm not going to go around asking some of these direct questions, but it's really important for them to hear it. Everyone's journey is different,” Freeman said. “The journey of Aneyas will be different from the journey of Kedren. audric [Estime]'s. I don't think Audric played much his freshman year, right? Look at Audric now. He will be one of the top backs.
“If we can continue to use those guys as an example instead of in high school, they're going to have all the pressure that they get from the stars and social media and their parents. I'm a parent too. We strive to take all the pressure off and allow kids to focus on their progress and their journey without worrying. [anything else]”
Young suffered a hamstring injury in the past two practices, which has slowed his performance. Williams saw some action Saturday as the Irish wore full pads.
“He had a good look on his face,” Freeman said. “I'm excited about the way he's coming in and I'm like, 'Coach me.' Make me better.” 'He's like a sponge. I remember when we were punting, I looked at him and was like, he just makes me feel better. These types of people continue to grow.
“Sometimes you might come across as someone who makes excuses. That makes the improvement last longer. A guy like Aneyas, on the other hand, is such a sponge. I'm looking forward to watching his journey.”
Freeman referenced his own college football journey when speaking to players during practice. He was not expected to play as a freshman, even though he entered Ohio State as the No. 4 inside linebacker by the Rivals and the nation's No. 31 prospect in the 2004 class.There were exceptions, such as wide receivers. ted zinn jr.was on the Ohio State team, but there wasn't as much pressure to perform early on.
“There was no social media. My parents didn't tell me to start. There wasn't that kind of pressure at all. ” Freeman said. “So you've experienced your progress. I want young people to really understand and believe that and ignore that noise and just focus on improving. That kind of thing. Then be careful.”
Nevertheless, Freeman couldn't help but highlight one freshman midway through his answer: defensive end. bryce young. Hell, it's hard to ignore the 6-foot-7, 246-pound freshman.
“I think Bryce Young, first and foremost, stands out physically and is ready to go to college. He has a job to do, just like any other player, but perhaps the one that stands out the most is… I think it's him, he's just physically ready at this point.”
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What to expect from Notre Dame's tight end usage
The Irish have been practicing without their senior tight end. mitchell evans and graduate senior tight end. Kevin Bauman They are recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered last season.And even a junior tight end. Eli Raridon Two anterior cruciate ligament injuries in the past two years have limited his workload as teams try to protect him.
As a result, Notre Dame's offense has been operating primarily with 11 players (one running back, one tight end, and three wide receivers) through the first four practices.That doesn't necessarily mean Notre Dame will have a new offensive coordinator. mike denbrock They will have to give up the 12 (1 back, 2 tight ends) or 22 (2 backs, 2 tight ends) previously used.
“The conversation I had with Coach Denbrock is, ultimately, we're going to put our best players on the field,” Freeman said. “If we go into fall camp and feel like we have a chance to be successful, even if we have two tough games, we're going to put three wideouts on the field and two tight ends, but if we I saw him do that once when he was in Cincinnati.
“What I like about this work is that it's not, 'This is our plan.' Who fits into that? His mindset is, 'OK, who's the best 11 and best 22?' ”. And how do we coordinate our attacks around those guys? ” The concept remains the same. What we do doesn't really change. who is that? Are you a tight end? Or a wideout? ”
When it comes to short yardage situations, Freeman values results over personnel. If a pass to a first down is easier than a run, so be it.
“As long as it’s a first down, we’re good,” Freeman said. “You know what I'm saying, right? Now, if it's not a first down, you didn't always get a first down with 22 guys or 13 guys. At the end of the day, you can definitely get that one yard. If there is, I think that's fine.”
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Evaluating safety options
Not only does Notre Dame have a new coaching structure in the secondary, but the Irish are also looking for a new starter to play alongside Xavier Watts.If you used the previous starter DJ BrownEligibility expiration and third safety Ramon Hendersontransferred to UCLA, and Notre Dame has plenty of inexperienced options to work next to Watts this spring.
That will change this summer when Northwestern graduates transfer. Rod Hard II, who was watching practice this week, will join the program and compete for the starting spot.But until then, I'm a sophomore Adon Schuller, luke taric and Ben Minnich There will be plenty of opportunities for them to demonstrate their potential.
“They were really impressive,” Freeman said. “I’ve been really impressed with Adon and Luke’s work so far, especially getting some reps in. The players that have been in the four practices have really grown.
“Ben has shot more twos, but Ben has also shown a lot of growth. All three of these guys are going to help us in some way, whether it's starters, backups or special teams this year.” , I don't know what the roles will be. But I think all three of them will be, and I'm really happy with their performance in the four practices.”
Shuler played the most safety of this trio in 2023. According to PFF, Shuler played 52 defensive snaps compared to Minnici's 15 and Talich's six. However, Taric, who missed the last three games with a broken collarbone, appeared in a record eight games due to special teams duties. Shuler had six total tackles, Taric had two tackles and Minnic had one tackle.
special teams coordinator Marty Biagi and defensive coordinator al golden Provides special assistance to defensive backs coaches Mike Mickens To cope with expanded responsibilities.Mickens practiced strictly with cornerbacks before becoming safeties coach. Chris O'Leary This offseason, he will be traded to the NFL's Los Angeles Chargers.
“I have a lot of confidence in the whole back end, the coaches and the players,” Freeman said. “I love walking by their offices. Coach Biagi, Coach Golden, and Coach Mickens all have offices in the corner of our building, and Coach Mickens and Biagi meet with the players together. I often see him having meetings with Coach Golden and other coaches separately, and that gives me confidence that our defense is going to be great.”
additional points
► Official Athletic Director Transition jack swarbrick to Pete Bevacqua It will be held on Monday at Notre Dame Cathedral. Bevacqua has been known as his successor since last July, so Freeman expects an easy transition. And if they need Swarbrick, they don't think he'll be hard to find.
“This passing of the baton has been going on for months,” Freeman said. “You've really been working with both Jack and Pete on what's going on with the College Football Playoff. What's going on with the TV deals and other things?
“What's unique is if Jack isn't here, he can't leave. That's what I told him. He can sit in my office. He's going to be around here. But he's only a phone call away.
“That applies to myself and Jack Swarbrick may no longer be my direct boss, as Pete is, but he has always been a mentor and a phone call away. He knows I'll blow him up if I ask him a question. We're just a phone call away. We'll always have a relationship. I'll always tap into his wisdom. .
“Pete and I have had a great relationship during this transition. I'm excited about the next steps for Notre Dame football.”
► Quarterback riley leonard He wasn't the only one to undergo surgery this week.senior wide receiver Dion Colzi Freeman said surgery was required to repair the dislocated finger. He is expected to return at some point next week, but he won't be catching passes right away.
► Freeman said more than 70 professional football officials attended Notre Dame's pro day on Thursday.The list also included the head coach. Dan Quinn (Commander Washington) and mike mccarthy (Dallas Cowboys) and General Manager adam peters (Commander), Will McCray (Cowboys) Brian Gutekunst (Green Bay Packers).
“This is a testament to the hard work our guys put in and really putting themselves in a position to excel at the next level and have an opportunity to go to the next level,” Freeman said. “It was amazing. I thought our staff did a great job in presenting it and wearing it. They did a great job.
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