(Photo: Chad Ryan/Fighting Irish Preview)
Viliamu-Asa Listed as Questionable
Notre Dame released its opening depth chart and availability report Monday ahead of Sunday night’s season opener against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field.
The first two-deep features plenty of familiar names, but it also provides a few surprises. Six true freshmen made the depth chart, Notre Dame still has not settled on a backup quarterback, and linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa is listed as questionable.
Six Freshmen Make the Two-Deep
Noah Grubbs, Teddy Jarrard, Bubba Frazier, Charlie Thom, Grayson McKeogh and Joey O’Brien all earned spots on Notre Dame’s opening two-deep.
Thom is particularly notable. The 6-foot-7, 295-pound freshman is listed as an option at both tackle positions. McKeogh is also in the mix behind Will Black at left tackle.
Frazier provides depth at wide receiver, while O’Brien is listed behind two-time captain Adon Shuler at boundary safety.
Getting six true freshmen onto the opening depth chart is another indication that the NCAA’s new “five for five” rule is having an impact so Marcus Freeman and his staff will not be afraid to turn to talented young players if they are ready.
No Clear No. 2 Quarterback
One of the biggest questions coming out of fall camp remains unanswered.
CJ Carr is firmly established as Notre Dame’s starter, but both Grubbs and Jarrard are listed behind him with an “OR” designation.
That means Notre Dame heads into Wisconsin week without publicly identifying a clear No. 2 quarterback.
Both freshmen have spent fall camp competing for the job, and the opening depth chart suggests that competition remains unsettled — or at least that the Irish are not ready to reveal a winner.
Several Other Competitions Remain Open
Quarterback isn’t the only position featuring an “OR.”
Notre Dame lists Sullivan Absher or Styles Prescod at right guard, while Cooper Flanagan and James Flanigan share the top line at tight end. Several backup roles at running back, wide receiver and in the secondary also include “OR” designations.
The depth chart provides a much clearer picture of Notre Dame’s plans for the opener, but it also shows that Freeman and his staff still have options at several positions.
KVA Questionable for Wisconsin
The biggest name on Notre Dame’s availability report is Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, who is listed as questionable with a left knee issue.
The designation is noteworthy considering how Viliamu-Asa has looked during the portions of practice open to the media. He has appeared to be participating fully and has practiced without an obvious brace or wrap on the knee.
Viliamu-Asa is listed behind Drayk Bowen at MIKE linebacker, along with sophomore Madden Faraimo.
Eight Irish Players Ruled Out
Notre Dame listed eight players as out for the Wisconsin game: Matty Augustine, Christopher Burgess Jr., Tiki Hola, Charles Jagusah, Ko’o Kia, Quincy Porter, Chaz Smith and Chris Terek.
Several of those absences were expected based on injuries sustained during the offseason and fall camp.
With the opener now less than a week away, Notre Dame’s first depth chart provides the clearest look yet at the group the Irish expect to take into Lambeau Field.
And while much of the lineup is settled, the depth chart leaves at least one intriguing question unanswered: Who will be the first quarterback off the bench behind CJ Carr?