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The annual Blue-Gold game is just a little over a week away for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and ever since spring football started, fans have wondered how the depth charts will look like come fall. While I won’t dare look ahead that far right now, I do think we can piece together a two-deep based on what we’ve seen and heard during the spring practice sessions.
This is based solely off of what is going on right now and takes into account some injuries and dismisses a few others. Doghouses are there — and so are a few personal projections. This is a “kind of / sort of” version of the depth chart. Take it for what it is.
OFFENSE
Spring Offensive Depth Chart (Kind Of)
| QB | RB | WR | WR | WR | TE | LT | LG | C | RG | RT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | RB | WR | WR | WR | TE | LT | LG | C | RG | RT |
| Ian Book | Jafar Armstrong | Chase Claypool | Chris Finke | Michael Young | Cole Kmet | Liam Eichenberg | Aaron Banks | Jarrett Patterson | Tommy Kraemer | Robert Hainsey |
| Phil Jurkovec | Tony Jones | Braden Lenzy | Lawrence Keys | Kevin Austin | Brock Wright | Aaron Banks | Josh Lugg | Zeke Correll | John Dirksen | Quinn Carroll |
The common sense projections are there at quarterback, running back, tight end, and the offensive line. It’s the wide receivers that start to make a little noise. I like a starting trio of Chase Claypool, Chris Finke, and Michael Young. Those three offer experience, speed, and a bit of comfort for Ian Book. The four sophomores of Kevin Austin, Braden Lenzy, Joe Wilkins Jr., and Lawrence Keys III makes a dynamic group, and how Chip Long plans on sorting this out come fall remains a little bit of a mystery.
DEFENSE
Spring Defensive Depth Chart (Kind Of)
| DE | DT | NT | DE | MIKE | BUCK | ROVER | SS | FS | CB | CB | NICKEL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE | DT | NT | DE | MIKE | BUCK | ROVER | SS | FS | CB | CB | NICKEL |
| Julian Okwara | Myron Tagovailola-Amosa | Kurt Hinish | Khalid Kareem | Asmar Bilal | Jack Lamb | Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah | Jalen Elliott | Alohi Gilman | Houston Griffith | Troy Pride | Avery Davis |
| Daelin Hayes | Jayson Ademilola | David Lacey | Ade Ogundeji | Shayne Simon | Jordan Genmark Heath | Paul Moala | Derrik Allen | D.J. Brown | Avery Davis | TaRiq Bracy | Houston Griffith |
The focus all spring has been about the linebacker position, and perhaps we are starting to see what might actually be there come fall. Asmar Bilal and Shayne Simon to the MIKE wasn’t on anyone’s list of things that might happen before the spring — yet here we are. Jack Lamb appears to be a player that just keeps getting better, and has flashed for the coaches this spring. I still think there is a TON of work to do with the NICKEL, and that job will most likely be Shaun Crawford’s come fall.
SPECIAL TEAMS
I give you no depth chart as there is just not a big focus on the kicking game in the spring. Jonathan Doerer and Jay Bramblett have the kicking and punting duties respectively. I imagine the kick/punt returners will still have a lot of players cycling through until the middle of August, so I’m going to leave that alone too.
LAST BIT
I think Notre Dame’s roster is in a strong position right now and will only get stronger in fall camp. It’s never going to be perfect this time of year, and it’s almost never going to be an accurate reflection for the upcoming season, but there are pieces to work with here.
Remember to not be overly encouraged or discouraged with spring ball results as they just don’t have all the pieces for the team ready to go. It’s like trying to sell a finished house without electrical wiring — even the Amish put the wiring in their homes.