Jack Larsen's hands are elite, but he's developed into a more complete tight end, ready to seize opportunity in South Bend.
Notre Dame's tight end room is loaded with potential, but it's one of the more uncertain rooms on the offensive side of the ball. With the departure of Eli Raridon who will likely be drafted in about a month, the roles in the tight end room is up for grabs and there's some potential in the room that's relatively untapped. Rising redshirt sophomore Jack Larsen is a player who looks to make his presence felt this offseason which will lead to his most productive year in South Bend yet.
"The game has slowed down a lot for me," Larsen explained when asked where his game is at right now. "I feel a lot more comfortable within the offense. I’ve gotten bigger, so I feel my presence. I feel comfortable putting my hand in the dirt and blocking."
His hands have never been a question, and some have gone as far to say Larsen might have the best hands on the team, not just the tight end room. But his size at 6-3, 250-pounds is different from some of the other guys in the room like 6-6, 250-pound Cooper Flanagan or 6-6, 251-pound James Flanigan. Larsen had to prove himself as a blocker and this offseason, he's taking the necessary steps to get there.
"With the lifting and running and stuff, I’ve gotten better with my footwork," Larsen explained. "Most importantly I've grown a lot in the blocking game. I think that’s helped tremendously. That’s kind of the base of where your good footwork comes from. You’re not going to fall over and you will be on balance. That’s helped a lot. I definitely feel a lot more confident."
Where Larsen has truly excelled since he arrived on campus was as a pass catcher. We've seen him have impactful catches in last years Blue Gold game hauling in a beautiful throw from quarterback CJ Carr over the top of starting safety, and captain, Adon Shuler.
"I feel like the route game has always been one of my strengths," Larsen said. "I’m starting to get a better feel for man-zone looks and when to throttle or when to try to create a rub. The route game for sure is a strength. I’m trying to make my blocking presence known as much as I can. You need to be able to do that as much as the route-running, if not more, at tight end."
Larsen has the opportunity to solidify his name in the tight end rotation for Notre Dame this season. That room is the most wide-open of any position groups on the offensive side of the ball. Larsen has grown physically and mentally this offseason. When asked about how he was feeling, the Charlotte, North Carolina native kept it short and sweet.
"It was a great winter. I feel big, strong and ready to go."
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