Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BY LOU SOMOGYI S eldom will one find a recruiting class so deep and well rounded where major contributions can be expected at each position by the group's sophomore year. The year 2014 might be one of them because at least a dozen sophomores are projected to take on a starting or major role. It's not a surprise given that this class was a top-five haul when it signed in February 2013 — the highest rating among head coach Brian Kelly's five recruiting harvests. Name a position group and chances are a sophomore will be a main option. In order, we list where they could have the top impact in 2014: 1. Running Back — Two of the three scholarship players here will be sopho- mores. Tarean Folston took over as the top rusher over the last six games in 2013, finishing with 470 yards overall, yet Greg Bryant's ascent this spring after a medical redshirt season helped prompt the move of senior Amir Carl- isle to slot receiver. The Floridian and "SEC-caliber" backs join senior Cam McDaniel to comprise a restructured three-man ro- tation because of George Atkinson III's decision to turn pro after his junior year. "We've added a little bit more re- sponsibility in pass protection for them," Kelly said this spring. "… All three have had a good spring and re- ally have developed in all of those ar- eas: pass catching, running the football and pass protection. "Folston probably started a little slow but has picked it up at the end — and it might have been because Greg Bryant has had a really good spring." In 2012, the senior tandem of Theo Riddick (917) and Cierre Wood (742) combined for 1,659 rushing yards. Down the road, the Folston/Bryant tandem could eclipse that standard by two backs in the same class. 2. Defensive Backfield — Safety Max Redfield cracked the starting lineup for the first time last season in the Pinstripe Bowl and was the top free safety throughout the spring. Next to Sam linebacker Jaylon Smith and maybe Bryant, nobody arrived with more hoopla in the sophomore class than Redfield, who had to deal with a much steeper learning curve at safety. Starting strong safety Austin Collin- sworth, a fifth-year senior, is far more advanced at directing the back end of the defense, but defensive backs coach Kerry Cooks said that comes with ex- perience. "It's hard for a young guy to really understand and grasp all the things we're asking him to do," said Cooks, who said the lone objective he had for Redfield this spring was to have a base and handle on his assignments. "Then in the summer and in camp, we can progress him a little bit longer to learn and help everybody else." Opposite junior cornerback Kei- Varae Russell, either Cole Luke or Devin Butler is in line to be the starter. Offseason shoulder surgery limited Butler 's work this spring, and Luke seized the other starting role. Cooks said Luke is to corner what Redfield is to safety. "One of the smoothest athletes that I've been around," Cooks said of