5 storylines for Notre Dame spring football
By LaMond Pope 648-3090 or lpope@post-trib.com March 19, 2013 8:46PM
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 11: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish waits to enter the field with his team before a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Notre Dame Stadium on September 11, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Michigan defeated Notre Dame 28-24. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brian Kelly R:\Merlin\Getty_Photos\16-Sep-10_102306225JD056_Michigan_v_N.jpg
Updated: April 21, 2013 6:51AM
Brian Kelly’s goal for the end of Notre Dame’s spring football is “to set the depth within the ranks.”
Here are some storylines for the national runners-up as camp kicks off today.
Stepping in for Te’o
Jarrett Grace, Carlo Calabrese and Kendall Moore are among the players who will get a chance to fill the loss at middle linebacker. That’s a huge task, considering the player they will be replacing is Heisman Trophy runner-up Manti Te’o.
Center of attention
Kelly said Matt Hegarty is “100 percent cleared” after undergoing heart surgery in December and is one of the options, along with Nick Martin and Mark Harrell, at center.
Focused on football
Kelly said George Atkinson III did not participate in track and field because he is solely focused on being the No. 1 back. He rushed for 361 yards and five touchdowns last season.
“We like that competition that we have at the running back position,” Kelly said.
The next step
What’s next for quarterback Everett Golson after breaking out last season?
“The development of Golson now will be consistency week in and week out,” Kelly said. “Getting us in the right protection. Playing at a tempo and a pace that we can control the football game at the pace that we want to play at.”
Happy returns
Kelly has all of his assistants back for another run this season. That list includes safeties coach Bob Elliott, who had kidney transplant in the offseason.
“He is doing extremely well,” Kelly said. “He’s been at our morning conditioning the last couple weeks. He’s looking great. He’s back to being a pain in the butt, so we know he’s doing well.”
— LaMond Pope
