These four Notre Dame football players have the most to prove as fall camp opens

SOUTH BEND — As Notre Dame football prepares to open the third fall training camp of the Marcus Freeman era, the “challenge everything” mantra has been turned up to full volume.

Now that the College Football Playoff offers a dozen golden tickets rather than just four, the Irish faithful isn’t just hoping for an invitation, it’s positively counting on one.

With a solid month to tune up for the season opener at Texas A&M on Aug. 31, these four individuals have the most to prove in the coming days and weeks:

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A balky right ankle that required two offseason surgeries kept the former dual-threat Duke quarterback from fully displaying his mad skills in the spring. While the senior transfer likely won’t face live contact until opening night in Aggieland, Leonard’s passing accuracy, pocket poise and mobility will be tested in daily drills with and against his new Irish teammates.

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard (13) who is hurt, dresses and throws some pre-game passes with fellow quarterbacks Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the annual Notre Dame Blue-Gold spring football game at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend.

Summer throwing sessions in Fairhope, Ala., with a handful of his new targets were a good start, but there’s still plenty of trust to be earned in all directions. Unlike Sam Hartman, his one-and-done portal predecessor in the same role at Notre Dame, Leonard has the benefit of a seasoned offensive coordinator in Mike Denbrock.

The prize recruit from Rock Island, Ill., already knows what it’s like to step in for all-everything Joe Alt, even if Pro Football Focus wasn’t all that impressed with Jagusah’s work in the Sun…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/four-notre-dame-football-players-124719221.html

Author : South Bend Tribune

Publish date : 2024-07-23 12:47:19

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