Riley Leonard (Photo credit Joseph Weiser)
Fall camp kicked off for Notre Dame’s 2024 season Wednesday morning under a bit of cloud cover that kept an otherwise hot and humid morning tolerable, and story lines are beginning to populate with some actual on field data.
An early 7 x 7 skeleton drill started off inauspiciously for likely #1 quarterback and grad transfer Riley Leonard, but really well for All-American safety Xavier Watts. On Riley’s first “live” pass of the day, Watts stepped in front of a 15 yard out route for an interception. Later in the day Leonard overthrew a wide open Kris Mitchell on what would have been a sure deep touchdown. Steve Angeli actually looked a bit more accurate for much of the day, but Leonard settled down during a 25 play 11 x 11 session and unofficially went 8-11. The Irish pass rush did their part and came up with two “sacks” during the sequence. One featured a nifty inside swim move by grad transfer defensive end R.J. Oben.
Perhaps the best news of the day came from Freeman when he was asked about the health of TE Mitchell Evans, All-American cornerback Ben Morrison and Riley Leonard, all of whom are returning from surgeries. “Everybody will be clear by the time we get to game week”. And after missing most of Spring practice with an ankle surgery, Riley Leonard has been,”Free to cut it loose (the whole summer)”.
The media was treated to its first view of Australian import punter James Rendell taking snaps and punting against a full rush, Rendell effortlessly booted about a dozen balls easily in the 45-55 yard range, with good directionality and impressive hang time. Rendell, based on this small sample has the look of a weapon. All but one of his kicks exploded off his foot and seemed to go exactly where he wanted. The one punt that was shanked a little, still traveled in the 35 yard range with pretty good hang time. Marcus Freeman seemed to agree on just how effective Rendell can be, “He’s awesome , man. Glad to have him. He had a good summer….He’s going to be a weapon for us.”
The offensive line, must be rebuilt after the loss of tackles Joe Alt and Blake Fisher, who are now plying their trade in the NFL. Taking the majority of first team reps was (from left to right), Charles Jagusah, Pat Coogan, Ashton Craig, Billy Schrauth, and Amil Wagner. RS-SO, Wagner was in a battle for the right tackle spot with 5th year senior Tosh Baker all spring and now looks to have the upper hand.
Taking first team reps in rotation at the at the rebuilt wide receiver position, was Jayden Thomas, who flashed with some explosive moves and strong catches, Jaden Greathouse, Kris Mitchell, Beaux Collins, Jayden Harrison and Jordan Faison. Faison who was named MVP of the Sun Bowl last December for his 5-115 yard, 1 TD performance. He missed Spring practice while playing a key role for the ND national champion lacrosse squad.
One story line that of course can’t be avoided is the weather and the season opener at Texas A&, in less than a month, in what are all but assured to be hot and humid conditions. Post practice Marcus Freeman, who seemed please overall with the first day was asked about preparing for August heat in Texas and replied, “As much as we can practice in the heat we’re going to. Today was a good hot, humid day and we know that’s going to be the atmosphere were in.”
Now into his third season at the helm of the Irish, Freeman seems to be easing into and better understanding his role as “CEO”. “I think head coaches have to be master observers. You have to be able to observe and see everything…(but) when the head coach is over there it creates little more sense of urgency.”
ND season #138 will kickoff on Aug 31, 20024 at 7:30 PM in College Station, Texas, verses Texas A&M.