2 goods ones in ND's back yard of Chicago.
Both Kaleb Brown and Tyler Morris are higher end 4 star WR's, but both are rumored to be Michigan leans at this point.
Not good.
Move outside?
Has to be discouraging for him as well, he sat out all of last year for reasons never disclosed. Played on the scout team, and this year was going to be his year, in spite of his relative lack of playing time he was counted on to be a go to WR.
But it's not like there aren't any other guys to replace him, but the problem is none of them have played very much.
The exception is Northwestern Transfer Ben Skowronek who likely will benefit from the opening that Austins injury provides for him. He has experience and was successful when healthy at Northwestern.
But Braden Lenzy gave us a taste of what his speed can do. You mentioned Tommy Tremble, he showed a lot last year and he's likely to do just what you mentioned play TE from a detached position. Brock Wright will be the inline TE. Don't forget Mike Mayer maybe the most talented TE we've had coming in as freshman.
Lawerence Key's, Javon McKinley, Joe Wilkins all have potential just have to show it.
Don't forget about Jordan Johnson a National Top 50 player as a WR from St. Louis. Freshmen WR's at Alabama and Clemson frequently shine, why not here.
At Bama-OU-Clemson-LSU-OSU, they all would not lose a beat or sleep over losing a top WR. They all have 3-4 just as talented or good. And that is not an exaggeration if you have been following the WR talent they all have had lately.
If there is a season, this might be a big opportunity for the FR WR Johnson.
Braden Lenzy's job just got a lot tougher.
The red flag (other than the actual recruiting profiles of the other WRs) was giving a scholarship to a slow, unaccomplished grad transfer with an injury history and a 5th year to another WR.
All the programs you mention can run the ball against good defenses. Our scheme does not allow that, but other programs can lose a WR easily since they can compensate with other means, such as a power running game when needed.
The sucking started in Week 2 after opening with our (then) annual in-state speed bump called Purdue.