Notre Dame Football: Gilman’s Eligibility Denied

Alohi Gilman Will Not Play In Season Opener

Prior to today’s press conference, it had been a general suspicion among Irish fans that Alohi Gilman would not be given eligibility to play immediately. This, as it turns out, ended up being true. Brian Kelly confirmed in the presser that Gilman’s eligibility had been denied and that Notre Dame is “still in the process of deciding whether to appeal that or not.” Brian Kelly provided stereotypical “coach speak” with a hopeful view on the situation, but it is looking increasingly less and less likely that the Navy transfer will see the field for the Irish this fall. Without him, the two deep at each safety position ended up consisting of Nick Coleman and Isaiah Robertson at Free Safety, and Jalen Elliot and Devin Studstill at Strong Safety.

Other Takeaways:

• Alizé Mack was described by Kelly as being in good shape and ready to go for the season. With a hamstring issue slowing him down for a significant portion of fall camp, there is a reasonable cause for concern. Mack is a superbly talented player and this Irish team can only benefit from having him on the field.
• Several positions have notable “or’s” for starters along the depth chart. Some of note include Greer Martini or Tevon Coney at the Buck position, Andrew Trumbetti or Jay Hayes or Daelin Hayes at defensive end, and Chris Finke or Freddy Canteen at slot receiver.
• Kelly, when asked about running backs, said “I think you’re going to see them on a rotational basis.”
• However, he did also say Josh Adams will be “at the top of that list.”
• Brian Kelly addressed a snap issue with the defense. He stated, “11 guys with 85 snaps is not what we’re about.” This led into a claim of a 15-16 man rotation that will likely be the basis of the defense for this season.
• Chip Long will be calling plays from the sideline to start the season, however that is subject to change later on in the season.
• Brian Kelly said he wants his players to just play the game. His exact words were “Go play! Have fun! Be excited! You’ve prepared for this opportunity!” A loose and reasonably comfortable team is good, and Kelly 2.0 seems to want that.
• Kelly wants to live up to the expectations he has at Notre Dame. “It’s ‘God. Country. Notre Dame.’ That’s a high bar... Last year I didn’t live up to that bar... The expectation is to win a National Championship. That’s a pretty high bar.”
• The mental preparation of this team is what Brian Kelly is most proud of as a whole. He claimed, “this football team is the most prepared that I have coached from a mental perspective.”
• Kelly and this Irish team are excited for the opener. He said it like 193 times.
• Wimbush’s most praised trait is his ability to forget a bad play and keep his head in the game. In other words, he’s composed. Brian Kelly called it, “a passion and perseverance for the game.” Hopefully he’s the polar opposite of Everett Golson in terms of composure.