Blue & Gold Illustrated: Notre Dame Football And Recruiting

If Notre Dame wants to get into the playoffs and make another run at a title, its defense must step up and play championship defense. That must happen without All-Americans Jaylon Smith and Sheldon Day, who are now in the NFL. Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell debate which defensive player holds the key to that turnaround, and why.

Blue Gold Illustrated recruiting editor Andrew Ivins and football analyst Bryan Driskell give an update on where things stand with Notre Dame recruiting. Ivins was at the The Opening Regionals in Chicago and Columbus, Ohio, where a number of Notre Dame commits and prospects shine. The pair discusses several recent offers, the most important recruit in the class and where things stand at defensive tackle and linebacker recruiting before moving on to listener questions.

Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell debate Notre Dame's offensive line play, and which unit will be better. Somogyi takes the stance that the 2015 line is best, while Driskell argues that the 2016 unit will end up being better despite the loss of 1st Round NFL pick Ronnie Stanley and 2nd Round NFL pick Nick Martin.

Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell discuss the importance of being disruptive defensively, and what Notre Dame can or should do in order to become that type of defense. Of course, getting after the quarterback is one of the most important keys to being disruptive, as the four playoff teams from 2015 showed. The staff answers listener questions at the end.

Blue Gold Illustrated football analyst Bryan Driskell and assistant editor Andrew Owens review the 2016 NFL Draft, and where Notre Dame's players ended up. The staff reviews the fit of all seven picks before previewing the 2017 draft prospects.

Blue Gold Illustrated football analyst Bryan Driskell and assistant editor Andrew Owens preview the 2016 NFL Draft. Notre Dame has two players considered first round locks, but another eight could also see their name called. It is a deep draft and a lot could happen once it starts, which could impact where the Irish players ultimately get picked. The discussion ends with the latest on All-American linebacker Jaylon Smith, who is looking to climb up draft boards after a devastating knee injury clouded his future in the game.

Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell field subscriber questions, and the majority of them center around the defensive unit and defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder. Is this the year we see defensive improvements from the Irish under their third-year DC? That is discussed, as is which players emerged - or will emerge - as leaders on that side of the ball.

Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell recap the spring as the Irish head into the summer offseason. Their focus is on ranking the position groups 1 through 10, while discussing the strength of the team and the areas for concern heading into the summer.

Blue Gold Illustrated gets you prepared for the 2016 Notre Dame Blue Gold Game. Senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell give the latest news involving the Irish program, discuss the game format and break down the rosters. Following that segment, Driskell and recruiting editor Andrew Ivins preview the visitor list, which includes a pair of 5-star recruits from the 2017 class and several of the top players on the board for Notre Dame in the Class of 2018.

Blue Gold Illustrated senior editor Lou Somogyi and football analyst Bryan Driskell break down the latest happenings from Notre Dame's spring practices. Standouts from Saturday's open practice are discussed, and subscriber questions are addressed. Topics range from who should start at quarterback, to who is the most irreplaceable player on the roster and of course, whether or not Notre Dame has the talent to be a Top 10 program in 2016.