Notre Dame Blue-Gold Game: What To Look For

Notre Dame concludes its spring tomorrow with the annual Blue-Gold Game, which will be our last chance to see this team in action before we get to fall camp. There will be plenty that I will be watching for in the game.

QUARTERBACKS READY TO SHINE

Quarterbacks Sam Hartman and Tyler Buchner have both had strong springs for the Irish. Hartman is still evolving and growing in the offense, but when he's on he's really good. IB's sources indicated that Hartman was one of the stars of last weekend's big scrimmage. Buchner has built on his Gator Bowl performance and is showing he is still the very talented quarterback we thought he was, but he's showing more polish.

How will the pair finish the spring? At the end of the day the spring game performance is not at all indicative of how they will play in the fall (see DeShone Kizer in 2015), but seeing them both play well certainly will create some positive vibes with the fan base.

I'm also looking forward to seeing talented freshman Kenny Minchey, who we didn't get to see much of in team settings during the open practices. Steve Angeli's first spring ended with him leading a game-winning drive in last year's Blue-Gold Game. That's quite the act to follow!

PERIMETER IMPACT?

We've heard a lot about the rise of the Notre Dame wide receivers this spring, and there's no debating there is really good talent in the room. The question remains, however, that this is still a relatively unproven unit. With the running back and tight end depth charts very thin, the wideouts should get a lot of chances to make plays in the Blue-Gold Game.

I love the talent that Tobias Merriweather and Deion Colzie possess, but I'd like to see them finish the spring making some plays. It's unfair, but I don't really worry about Jayden Thomas and don't pay much attention to him when he's in the slot. He's already earned my trust there. But will we get to see him outside in the spring game? If so, how will he play, and can he show the ability to do more than just play in the slot?

Then there's Chris Tyree, who is looking to use his home run speed to add more value to the pass game. I would love to see Tyree get free and make some plays in the spring game.

If this group of returners end on a strong note in the Blue-Gold Game you'll start to see the fan base start to really buy into what this group can do. If they don't finish strong you'll see doubts persist. It's not fair, but that's the reality.

FRESHMAN WIDEOUTS ARE EXCITING

Notre Dame signed one of the nation's best wide receiver hauls in the 2023 class, and three of them were on campus this spring. Braylon James, Jaden Greathouse and Rico Flores Jr. all had some outstanding moments this spring, and they have shown in practice they were as good as advertised.

Now they get to play inside Notre Dame Stadium and in front of tens of thousands of fans for the first time in their careers. That is certainly a different type of spotlight for these youngsters. They should get plenty of reps and opportunities to make plays.

I have a feeling by the end of the game Irish fans who don't really follow recruiting are going to realize just how much young talent this team has on the roster. I want to see James get a chance to show his speed, and both Greathouse and Flores Jr. should get a chance to make plays as well.

IS SCHRAUTH READY?

Notre Dame needs two new starters at guard, and while veteran Andrew Kristofic is a bit of a known (he has 8 career starts), but we don't know much about sophomore Billy Schrauth. One of the top recruits of the 2022 class, Schrauth certainly comes with high expectations, but we have yet to see him take a snap in a Notre Dame uniform.

This spring we'll get to see him playing between Joe Alt and Zeke Correll. He's a very talented young blocker with impressive physicality and surprising quickness for his size and style of play. Schrauth making a smooth transition into the lineup - where he's being tasked with replacing a four-year starter - could go a long way towards solidifying the Irish line and making it one of the nation's best.

We'll get a chance to see this trio play together in the spring game, and if the Irish can run the ball behind this group it will give me great vibes about what we'll see in the fall.

INTRIGUING SOPHOMORES

Notre Dame's sophomore class didn't make much of an impact last fall outside of All-American cornerback Benjamin Morrison. That group is now expected to provide a much, much bigger impact in year two.

On offense, sophomores Tobias Merriweather and Billy Schrauth are expected to be starters. They were discussed above, but tight end Holden Staes and running back Gi'Bran Payne have also had strong springs. Staes is competing for a major role at tight end, while Payne is hoping his strong March and April performance can get him more touches in the fall. With both being part of very limited depth charts at their positions, Staes and Payne should both get plenty of chances to shine in the Blue-Gold Game.

On defense we'll see a lot more of the sophomores in the two deep. Morrison is obviously already one of the nation's best at his position, but classmate Jaden Mickey took advantage of Cam Hart's injury by having a strong spring as well. Mickey is close to solidifying his role as the No. 3 corner, and a strong spring game could help him nail that down.

At linebacker, both Nolan Ziegler and Jaylen Sneed are battling for major roles on defense. I'm curious to see how they handle the extensive action I expect both to have in the spring game. Up front I'm looking forward to seeing how Josh Burnham, Junior Tuihalamaka, Tyson Ford and Aiden Gobaira finish their springs off.

CORNERBACK DEPTH

Hart has been out of contact periods all spring and won't play in the spring game, and I'm not sure how much we'll see Morrison. That leaves players like Mickey, Chance Tucker, Ryan Barnes and Clarence Lewis in position to battle with the talented Irish wideouts. Who steps up and shines, which will help solidify the corner depth chart.

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Irish Breakdown Content

2023 Scholarship Chart
2023 Football Schedule

Notre Dame 2023 Scholarship Offers
Notre Dame 2024 Scholarship Offers

2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Offense
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Defense

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