In this edition of the Hey Horka! BlueandGold.com message board mailbag column, we start with an honest assessment of what to expect from Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard this season. Then we dive into plenty more Fighting Irish football questions.
How good of a year do you think Riley Leonard will actually have? — Xray93
I think he’s going to have a fantastic year running the ball. I really do. And I don’t like saying this because it’s not the way it should be, but I do think some of his “holy cow” runs are going to be because he flees from an offensive line that isn’t protecting him as well as it should. Along those lines, I’m worried a quarterback with accuracy issues is going to be negatively impacted by an offensive line that isn’t adequately protecting him. He’ll still have some impressive throws, though, and many of his runs will be by design. He’s going to have a good year if he stays healthy. He can only have a great year if everything around him — the line, the wideouts and Mike Denbrock ‘s scheme in his first year — comes together. All that said I’m expecting a mixed bag with top-10 potential.
How are you feeling about the Texas A&M game after watching a few Notre Dame practices? — dcwflyca
About the same. The Charles Jagusah injury definitely makes me feel worse about it, but I’m not going to let one guy who never touches the football completely alter my thinking of how the game will go. I feel very strongly that Notre Dame has one of the best defenses in the country and the right guy(s) leading the charge on that side of the ball, and that’s what the Irish will need to lean into in an opening game as difficult as this one. Running the football well plus one or two offensive splash plays in addition to a dominantly played defensive game can get yield a Notre Dame victory. Easier said than done.
Do you think Notre Dame recruiting would be better if the Irish joined the SEC? — Xray93
There is definitely a positive perception element involved for SEC teams in recruiting, but it’s a subjective and unquantifiable one. Our esteemed board member @arrowfan624 is going to love this response … Notre Dame recruiting would be better if the Fighting Irish had SEC-like donors who open up their pockets. Quasi pay-for-play and not the “Notre Dame way”? Yup. But that’s just the nature of the beast and the absolute truth.
Who is the ALPHA at running back? — Steeplechaser2
I love Jadarian Price and he’s certainly alpha material, but I do think it will be Jeremiyah Love . Seems like Notre Dame is leaning back into him as a true RB with only occasional wideout duties. That’ll set him up for the alpha type season you’re alluding to.
How healthy does tight end Mitchell Evans look? — Steeplechaser2
I think he’s already all the way there and will most certainly be all the way there in three and a half weeks. I am officially not worried about him physically.
I think the new SEC has my attention more than anything else. I mean, Georgia and Florida both go to Texas this year. The Longhorns also get to play at Texas A&M for the first time in 13 years. I’m not trying to make this all about the burnt orange either. I think it’s fascinating that Oklahoma plays Tennessee, Auburn, Alabama and LSU. These are very fun games we’re all going to be blessed to.
What’s A&M’s biggest weakness on defense? How big of an advantage is it for Notre Dame? — arrowfan624
The corners. Only a big advantage for Notre Dame if the revamped wide receiver room is up to snuff, Leonard is protected well and Leonard is seeing the field and throwing the ball well. Simple as that.
How ends up playing left tackle by the end of the season, Tosh Baker or the field? — Kcndmis97
Man, I think I take the field. I can’t get over the high praise for Anthonie Knapp and if the only deterrent with Guerby Lambert is that he’s been here a few less months than the early enrollees … he’s going to have those months in his pocket by October.
Which defensive back has surprised you the most in fall camp? — Irons50
This is only because he was held out quite a bit in the spring so we didn’t see him as much as we’d like, but I think Jordan Clark has been rock solid as a slot corner and could end up being the best one Notre Dame has had since going the way of nickel in the last few seasons. If you’re looking for a young candidate, it’s Kennedy Urlacher . Really, really strong camp for the freshman safety so far.
Could Urlacher crack the two-deep? — arrowfan624
He’s playing the position Rod Heard II and Adon Shuler play, so not yet. And Luke Talich has looked good backing Xavier Watts up. But the early returns with Urlacher definitely make it seem like we’ll be talking about him a year from now the way we’re talking about Shuler right now. He’s ahead of that arc than Shuler was at this time last year.
How has Jaylen Sneed looked? Could Drayk Bowen and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa both be starters this season? — TyWebb
Sneed looks as good as he ever has IMO. This is his year. And if it’s not, well, probably won’t ever be. I’ve got more confidence in him than I ever have. Bowen and KVA will share time at MLB. Bowen is slightly ahead in what might be a 60/40 split at the moment.
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