Notre Dame Football: Davonte Neal Must Play on Offense for Irish

While prized recruit Davonte Neal can technically play either receiver or defensive back, Notre Dame will have no choice but to play him on offense. Additionally, this isn't a move that they would be best served to wait on. 

ESPN lists Neal as an athlete, Rivals compares him to Santana Moss, referring to the Chaparral High School star as a receiver, while Scout lists Neal as a defensive back.

As part of its 2012 recruiting class, Notre Dame hasn't recruited a lot of offensive talent around prized quarterback Gunner Kiel. 

Looking at Notre Dame's group, Rivals lists Neal as the only 4-star (or better) receiving recruit that the Irish have on their roster. There is plenty of help on the defensive side of the ball, but Kiel has very few weapons to work with. 

If Brian Kelly is going to get the most out of Kiel, he'll have to surround him with the best athletes possible. Neal runs a 4.4 40, he's more than a good enough athlete to star at Notre Dame with a quarterback like Kiel. 

It is best for Notre Dame to get those two on the field at the same time next year. With Michael Floyd's departure and the uncertain quarterback situation that the Fighting Irish finished 2011 with, there is no reason for these two to not see significant playing time in 2012. 

That might lead to some growing pains next season, but this is your cornerstone combination to build the passing game around for the next four years. Even if 2012 is a rough one, 2013 and beyond will be strong seasons in South Bend.

Playing Neal at defensive back would not only be overkill at an already strong position, but it would also hamper the other side of the ball significantly. This team was much more potent on defense in 2011 than on offense, and 2012 will be on the same lines. 

They need to shake things up and ignite the offense. Without Floyd, they will struggle to find a vertical passing game. Fortunately, Neal has the speed and skills needed to change that, the Irish just need to commit him to the offensive side of the ball, no questions asked.

Photo courtesy of USA Today and David Wallace of The Arizona Republic.

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