Blue & Gold Illustrated: Notre Dame Football And Recruiting

BGI recruiting insiders EJ Holland and Mike Singer break down Notre Dame's recent commitments, discuss the June 21 official visit weekend, and break down Irish recruits at the Rivals Five-Star Challenge.

The running back position was a major question mark going into the 2018 season, but the unit performed well, led by the big play running of the now-departed Dexter Williams, the emergence of converted receiver Jafar Armstrong and the clutch playmaking of Tony Jones Jr.

With Williams gone there are once again questions at the position, but also more cautious optimism about how good this group can be. Blue & Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell break down the position and share their thoughts, as well as what they are hearing, about the running backs heading into the 2019 season.

In November the Notre Dame Fighting Irish head down to Durham, NC for the first time since 1961 to take on the Duke Blue Devils. Duke is led by one of the best coaches in the country, and this game will be a tougher test than some think.

Blue & Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell discuss Duke head coach David Cutcliffe, break down the 2019 roster and talk about why they think the Blue Devils could be a surprise team in the ACC this season.

Recruiting insider EJ Holland and football analyst Bryan Driskell break down Notre Dame's big commitments from the weekend and preview the upcoming official visit weekend.

The linebacker position is probably the biggest question mark for the Irish defense heading into the 2019 season. There is talent, but the group is incredibly inexperienced. Blue & Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell discuss what the position lost, what it returns, who is expected to compete for time and what needs to happen for the unit ti flourish in 2019.

After playing USC and Michigan in back-to-back games, the Irish come back home and take on the Virginia Tech Hokies. After a 6-7 season, the Hokies return a lot of talent, including one of the best wide receiver/tight end combos and linebacker duos on the Irish schedule.

Blue & Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell break down the Hokies, how the timing of the game makes it a challenge, and whether or not Virginia Tech can get back to its glory days.

Blue & Gold Illustrated recruiting insiders Mike Singer and EJ Holland are back with another episode of Pod Like A Champion, where they break down Notre Dame's newest commitment and wrap up last weekend's Irish Invasion and key recruiting weekend.

Notre Dame's beat Michigan in 2018 and had a better record, but the Wolverines are ranked higher in the three of the four preseason magazines. Blue & Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell discuss the hype surrounding the Wolverines and whether or not it is valid. But the show begins with a discussion of the rivalry as a whole and where it stands.

Blue & Gold Illustrated recruiting insiders EJ Holland and Mike Singer break down an important recruiting weekend for the Fighting Irish and take questions from the BGI message board.

Notre Dame has a chance to have one of the ten best wide receiver units in the country, at least according to Lindy's Sports preview magazine. Blue & Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell break down the position group and talk about why expectations are so high.

The BGI staff talks big picture with the unit before breaking down veterans like Chase Claypool, Chris Finke and Michael Young. The discussion finishes by discussing the talented sophomore class and what that groups emergence can do for the unit and offense as a whole.