Positional Previews #3 - Wide Receivers

We are continuing the Notre Dame Football 2009 Positional Previews by counting down 10 positions. You can read about the 10 positions and an explanation of the rankings here. In short, #10 is the position that I am least confident/most worried about heading into the season, while #1 is the position I am most confident/least worried about. Ability, depth, and intangibles all factor in.

Today we hit up #3 - Wide Receivers

Depth Chart - Here is a look at the depth chart. Note that the X is the Flanker (WR off the line of scrimmage) while the Z is the Split End (on the line) in a standard 2 WR set. 3WRs will be on the field a good bit in a Weis offense.

Talent - Possibly, likely the greatest WR combination in Notre Dame history will be suiting up for the Irish the next two seasons. Other national media agree with me, as Rivals ranked ND's Golden Tate and Michael Floyd the #1 WR combo in the country this year. The only reason WRs are #3 and not #1 in this position confidence countdown is simple - can we find someone who can step up if either Floyd or Tate goes down with injury? Last year, with Michael Floyd out the final few games, the Irish lost 4 of 5 as defenses double teamed Golden Tate. The offense dragged and experienced its worst games of the year. Unlike last year, we have a promising freshman that may be able to play opposite either Golden or Michael, should either go down. Shaquelle Evans has gotten rave reviews in camp, and should be the next Irish WR star - but he is a freshman and is unproven. Thus, the WRs are #3 on the countdown. Shaquelle was a high 4 star on Rivals, being heavily recruited by USC as well (he's from Inglewood, CA). Golden Tate, Duval Kamara, and Deion Walker were all similarly ranked 4 star recruits, while John Goodman, Robby Parris, and George West were 3 star guys. And Michael Floyd was a 5 star top 25 overall player in 2008 - as advertised after his freshman year in 2008.

Changes - The addition of Shaquelle Evans is the major change. Shaq has "burner" speed, much like Golden Tate, and appears physically ready to play. Sophomores John Goodman and Deion Walker look ready to contribute as well after a redshirt freshman year for each, and both could see playing time as the 4th and sometimes 3rd WR. A California summer trip hosted by Jimmy Clausen, where he, Floyd, Tate, and TE Kyle Rudolph worked on their passing for a week shouldn't hurt the passing game. With 2 of the most most dynamic WRs in recent ND history back for another two seasons, minimal change is good.

Depth - Improving. If Shaq Evans can be the 3rd WR we need, his prescence will work wonders for the offense. John Goodman and Deion Walker are also solid, talented, but unproven players that seem to be ready to contribute. George West and Robby Parris played more in 2007 than in 2008 (George West was the starting WR in 2007 at the beginning of the season! We've come a long way talent wise since then); my gut feeling is that the coaches will have a hard time playing Parris or West over developing Shaq, Walker, or Goodman, barring injuries or the young guys struggling. Recruiting wise, ND needs to get an elite WR every year to keep this cupboard stocked to an ideal level for a Weis offense. So far we have two solid 3 star guys committed, but need that gamebreaker. Likely next year will be a big recruiting year at WR, with Golden Tate and Michael Floyd that much older and closer to exiting the depth chart (more playing time to sell).

Goals - Big goals for this unit. In 2008, the ND passing offense ranked 34th in the country. This year, the goal is top 20. Golden Tate and Michael Floyd combined for 106 catches and 17 TDs last year (Floyd missed final 3 regular season games and played sparingly in the bowl game). Goal for the combo this year - 150 catches and 25 TDs. That is a very lofty goal; however, it would be almost identical to greatest WR duo in ND history, Jeff Samardzija and Maurice Stovall in 2005 - a duo that produced 146 catches for 26 TDs. TE Kyle Rudolph and the 3rd WR, hopefully Shaquelle Evans, are going to have to capitalize on the attention defenses will be giving Tate and Floyd. In 2008, non-Floyd/Tate receivers (including TE and RBs) accounted for 8 of the 25 passing TDs. This year, those guys need to get 15/35 total TDs thrown through the air. Obviously, we're predicting that the Irish WRs are in for a big year.

Final Analysis - This position is all about answering two questions: who can replace Floyd/Tate if an injury occurs? And who can play 3rd WR? The answer to both of those questions will be Shaquelle Evans. His youth and lack of experience held us back from putting the Irish WRs at the top of this positional confidence list. Maybe by year end, they'll prove us wrong.