Denbrock details offensive surges, highlighting emerging weapons and a bolstered offensive line poised to elevate Notre Dame's attack.
Notre Dame's spring training has come to a close after this past Saturday's Blue-Gold game. There was a lot to take away during the spring practice window, like there is every offseason. The Fighting Irish offense took some steps forward in the right direction, but still have a ways to go before they're ready to compete for a national title.
Having a returning starting quarterback in CJ Carr helps the operation immensely and gives the Irish offense a lot of national recognition. But it's going to be the emergence of Carr's weapons and the offensive line that will propel this unit forward as well.
"They've put themselves in a position where, come fall camp, they can be relied on," Denbrock explained. "I like the depth that we've got there. Unfortunately, over the last couple of year, it has provided us with a need to have depth. Good Lord willing, maybe that's not the case, but if it is, we've got a number of players who can help this football team win games."
The departures of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, the first running backs in the history of the NFL Draft to be taken as the first two running backs off the board, have left some questions about the running back room. But Denbrock is confident in the makeup of the room and it starts with rising junior Aneyas Williams who's stepping into a much larger role this season.
"Aneyas is going to play a major part in the running back room's success," Denbrock said. "I think I've said this before, but it's going to look different. Jeremiyah and JD have moved onto the NFL but that doesn't mean our expectation or the production in that room necessarily has to be less. So my anticipation for Aneyas is the same as it's always been every time we've given him an opportunity and he stepped into the football game. He's made something positive happen and I don't see that being any different."
The wide receivers also took a step forward this offseason. From the first practice, we noticed that this group looked the part. They were long, physical, athletic, quick, twitchy and explosive. Throughout the spring, they showed what they can bring to this offense.
"I like that group overall," Denbrock shared. "I think there's a lot of diverse talent in that group. Most of them have come in with a mature level about their work ethic. They've picked things up pretty fast and they continue to get better every day. Now, they're in charge of that to dig in over the summer. Their details and their focus should bump up a little bit, but I like the versatility of that group. I think there's some really talented players there."
Despite the losses of Love, Price, receiver Malachi Fields and tight end Eli Raridon, this is one of the more talented offenses Notre Dame has had from top to bottom in quite some time. The outlook of this group, especially with Denbrock heading into year three, is looking tremendous. There's still a ways to go before they're championship-ready, but they're putting in the work this offseason to reach their full potential.
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