Above the position battles, Irish fans are interested in one big question:  Does Brian Kelly fully recognize the extra risk that comes with the passing game? As noted in “if Weis fails”, former Head Coach Charlie Weis was infamous for his blind eye to the risks of the passing game, continually noting that “the play was there”.   Well, even if the play “is there” there are far more execution risks in the passing game.  As Lou Holtz noted, only three things happen when you pass and two of them aren’t good.  And running seems to be winning: 9 of the 10 last national champions ran for more than 200 yards per game and 9 of the top 10 teams in the country ran for over 200 yards per game last year.   With a retooled line the Irish should be able to be a “line up, physicality, leaning on the big boys up front to create space for the running backs and getting the ball in space to some skilled receivers”, as Denbrock put it.

Here’s a breakdown using the depth chart from Rivals.

Quarterback

Obviously the quarterback race is the most closely watched race at Notre Dame and Golson seems to have the edge this spring as a more consistent passer, with Zaire the better runner.  Sanford wants to see a less nervous Golson, “Basically, just take the offense as it comes, throw the appropriate throw and don’t get so fired up. He gets jacked up when there is a post open … he’s improved a lot with his fundamentals because he had a tendency to bounce around, hop around as opposed to playing with his cleats to the ground.”  Zaire’s problems are more fundamental,  “has a tendency to play with a really wide base…He’s done a great job in the last week of tightening that base up. It makes him a more accurate passer. When he gets really wide he has a tendency to not be able to get through his throws with his back hip.”

Both QBs should get equal reps in the Blue Gold game as the battle drags on into the fall.  With the focus on the first two QBs, Kizer simply hasn’t gotten much of a chance..

5 Everett Golson (6-0, 200), 5th/1 OR
8 Malik Zaire (6-0, 222), Jr./3
14 DeShone Kizer (6-4½, 230), So./4
4 Montgomery VanGorder (6-0¼, 215), So./4

Offensive Line

I think the next most intriguing position is the offensive line.  It’s easy to forget how poorly they played at the end of last year with the undersized Martin and Hegarty in the middle and Stanley still learning on the end.   This is the year the young pups have grown up and they’ve grown up into one of the biggest lines in the country.  Ronnie Stanley could be a first round pick (and could have been last year,) and he’s going to be paired next to the massive 5-star Quenton Nelson or Alex Bars (one of Kelly’s favorites.)  Nick Martin was able to add a lot of lower body strength at center and is purportedly much stronger.  The coaches have praised junior Steve Elmer’s “cleaner game” who has logged a ton of experience, but has yet to reach the potential that many saw for him.  And, on the outside, Mike McGlinchey’s stellar game against LSU signaled that he’s ready to play at a championship level.  Overall, the Irish line “could” be one of its best in years, though there are clearly some rough spots to iron out and they’re a little thin at tackle.
Left Tackle
78 Ronnie Stanley (6-5½, 315), Sr./2
70 Hunter Bivin (6-5½, 302), Jr./3

Left Guard
56 Quenton Nelson (6-4½, 325), So./4 OR
71 Alex Bars (6-6, 316), So./4
67 Jimmy Byrne (6-4, 295), So./4

Center
72 Nick Martin (6-4½, 301), 5th/1
53 Sam Mustipher (6-2, 305), So./4
66 Tristen Hoge (6-4¼, 281), Fr./4

Right Guard
79 Steve Elmer (6-5½, 315), Jr./2
60 John Montelus (6-4, 310). Jr./3
62 Colin McGovern (6-4½, 315), Jr./3

Right Tackle
68 Mike McGlinchey (6-7½, 310), Jr./3
75 Mark Harrell (6-4, 306), Sr./2

Running Back

Beyond the consistency of Folston and Bryant (who give the Irish two strong backs) the emergence of CJ Prosise has everyone talking.  He ripped off a 70 yarder in practice and no one could catch him, but he’s also (at 220 pounds) been running strong between the tackles.  Folston and Bryant give ND a “Riddick factor” two tough backs who are hard to bring down and can pile up the yards.   Prosise adds a home run threat that should be fun to watch.
25 Tarean Folston (5-9½, 214), Jr./2
1 Greg Bryant (5-10, 205), Jr./3

20 C.J. Prosise (6-0½, 220), Sr./2 OR

Wide Receiver

Chris Brown, Will Fuller and Amir Carlisle/Prosise will give ND one of the fastest groups of wide receivers in the land.   Brown has impressed many in the spring (of course he did last spring as well) and if he maintains that progress, the Irish will be very hard to defend deep.   The problem this spring: drops.  Which brings me all the way back to the first paragraph.   The Irish receivers “look” great, but they’ve had trouble catching the ball.  That has to worry the staff at this point.
Z Receiver (Slot)
20 C.J. Prosise (6-0½, 220), Sr./2 OR
3 Amir Carlisle (5-10, 192), 5th./1
16 Torii Hunter Jr. (6-0, 190), Jr./3

W Receiver (Boundary)
2 Chris Brown (6-1½, 195), Sr./1
88 Corey Robinson (6-4½, 215), Jr./2
11 Justin Brent (6-1½, 205), So./3

X Receiver (Split Wide)
7 Will Fuller (6-0, 180), Jr./2
15 Corey Holmes (6-0½, 184), So./4

Tight End

Durham Smythe has already been called the heir apparent to the tight end legacy at Notre Dame.  What has surprised onlookers this spring is his willingness to get dirty blocking.   He’s already a downfield threat and now, with this added dimension, he’s ready to be the full time starter (though he’s still a bit thin.)  It’s the opposite story for Tyler Luatua, Luatua’s strength allowed the Irish to used him as a blocker against LSU, but his spring he’s slimmed down and has apparently been more “lithe” in the open field.   All in all, some good talent here, but very young and maybe the weakest position on offense so far this spring, but a position with lot of potential.

80 Durham Smythe (6-4½, 245), Jr./3
13 Tyler Luatua (6-2½, 250), So./3
82 Nic Weishar (6-4, 237), So./4
18 Chase Hounshell(6-4½, 255), 5th/1
9 Mike Heuerman (6-3½, 225), Jr./3