Irish Sports Talk: Notre Dame Football

Until the season begins it's unclear in how many ways Drue Tranquill will contribute to the Irish defense in 2016 but you can be certain it will be huge. Although he's struggled in coverage when needing to turn and run he will be the starting strong safety unless a freshman can beat him out.

Last season Tarean's season ended before it began. But all appears well and back on track for the senior running back. The question will be how will the carries be split between Folston, Adams, and Williams.

Ashton White spent the 2015 season on the scout team but could make a difference for the Irish on special teams in 2016. There's a lot of young competition fighting for the 2-deep and Ashton will need to have a solid Fall Camp to find a spot.

The Irish are desperate for answers on defense and Nick Coleman could answer one of those questions at cornerback. Nick played in all 13 games as a freshman, mostly on special teams, and could play a significant role for the Irish at cornerback.

Brian Kelly said a number of freshman defensive backs will play this Fall, will Julian be one of them?

Brian Kelly announced what the focus is for the football team and some position battles of interest. The freshmen defensive backs will be given ample opportunity to prove themselves and the wide receiver group is one of the most important ones to get sorted out. On the QB's Brian Kelly is in no rush to make a decision but he is considering all options, even playing both.

Nicco Fertitta played safety in high school but at with the talent Notre Dame has brought in at safety there's not a path for him to compete for a starting role. But he can make a huge impact on special teams and take over where Matthias Farley left off in 2015.

No question that Kevin Stepherson caught the eye of coaching staff and media this Spring as an early enrollee but can he continue to stand out this Fall with the CJ Sanders returning and other incoming freshmen.

Josh came into Fall camp in 2015 as a freshman and wasn't physically where the coaches wanted him to be. In the Spring of 2016 he had remade his body and the coaches were pleased with how he looked physically. He's only training at Mike linebacker behind Nyles Morgan and even though he's the 2nd stringer at that position because "It's the most difficult position to learn." he probably won't see game action except for blowout games.

Notre Dame has question marks on the defensive side of the ball but one thing is certain from Brian Kelly's Fall Camp opening press conference and that is that freshman defensive backs will be playing for the Irish this Fall. Spencer Perry isn't a guarantee to contribute as a freshman but he will be given opportunity.