Mitchell Evans heard his name called during last month’s NFL Draft, becoming the fifth Notre Dame tight end selected in the last seven years.
In South Bend, Notre Dame will be looking to replace Evans’ 77 catches for 903 yards and five touchdowns over the last four seasons.
Now, the Irish are tasked with replacing his production — 77 catches for 903 yards and five touchdowns over the last four seasons.
This spring, the tight end room looked thin, with just three scholarship players — Kevin Bauman, Eli Raridon, and Jack Larsen available for practice. Cooper Flanagan continues to rehab from an Achilles injury, while Arkansas graduate transfer Ty Washington was still finishing his degree. Washington will officially begin his Notre Dame career in June, alongside highly touted freshman and Irish legacy James Flanigan.
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman and his staff considered adding another tight end from the transfer portal or high school, but ultimately decided against it.
“Do we take another portal guy or not - the decision was is it a number or the right guy,” stated Freeman. “The decision was the right guy wasn’t out there and we don’t need a number.”
That decision only gained confidence with Raridon's big spring. The staff has high hopes for the law firm of Flanagan and Flanigan. Freeman believes Flanigan could carve out a role early in his career.
“Again, we feel good about Eli,” said Freeman. “We didn’t know if Kev was going to come back in terms of taking another high school kid. Cooper, who we have high hopes for - we think he can be really good tight end for us. Larsen is a developmental guy and a young guy.
“We really like Flanigan. We think he can help us. It’s not a super deep position like it’s been in the past, but we really like the guys we have.”
Tight end isn’t the only position Notre Dame will need a player to emerge at when fall camp starts. Safety and nickel are two positions that have talent, but defensive coordinator Chris Ash will need a few guys to raise their level of play if Notre Dame wants to return to the College Football Playoff.
Adon Shuler will man one of the safety spots, but the other and reserve roles are completely up for grabs.
”We’re going to need someone at the safety position to emerge,” Freeman said. “Luke Talich, Tae Johnson, Jalen Stroman - somebody has to emerge at that position to be a guy. We have to see who that is going to be.”
At nickel, Alabama graduate transfer DeVonta Smith will start, but Karson Hobbs, Ben Minich and others will battle for playing time.
Hobbs all but said he was the fastest player on the team earlier this spring, which was softly backed up by others. He has all the confidence in the world and is coming off an impressive spring. Freeman was pleased with his growth, but wants the Cincinnati native to take another step.
“Karson isn’t talent level, it’s consistency,” explained Freeman. “He’s a highly talented guy. He’s starting to show he can be consistent, which ends up building trust that you’re going to play him.
“Right now, who is going to be the next nickel to go in the game between DeVonta Smith starting at nickel, but who is the next guy? Karson should be the guy. He has to be consistent. He’s a high, high talented guy, who was playing his best ball at the end of spring.”
In addition to player development, Notre Dame needs key contributors to stay healthy and regain form after injuries.
Defensive ends Jordan Botelho and Boubacar Traore and center Ashton Craig suffered season-ending knee injuries and are on track to play week one.
Graduate transfer receiver Malachi Fields also had offseason surgery and has already started working out on campus.
”100 percent by game one,” said Freeman when asked about the health of the four players. “I expect them to be ready to go by the start of camp, but I'd rather say they'll be ready by game one. They should be 100% as long as there are no setbacks in the summer, but I expect them to be ready to go."
Want the latest scoop on the Fighting Irish? Sign up for our newsletter and become an ISD Premium Subscriber: Sign Up for ISD
Columbia Navy Notre Dame Fighting Irish Tech Trail Omni-Shade Polo
Join our free email list