Notre Dame Spring Game: Players with Most to Prove in Blue-Gold Game

Notre Dame's annual Blue-Gold game provides one of the nation's most loyal fanbases with a first look at how the Fighting Irish are shaping up for next season. Expectations are always high in South Bend, so even spring ball gets taken seriously.

Let's take a look at some of the players already under pressure to perform on Saturday. Even though final decisions likely won't be decided until fall rolls around, that doesn't make the Blue-Gold game any less important. It's key to make an early impression.

Tommy Rees

The biggest problem for the Notre Dame offense last season was turnovers. Even though Rees did provide some stability under center while he was in there, he did give the ball away far too much. The junior must prove those issues are behind him.

If he were to struggle, Andrew Hendrix and Everett Golson are both waiting in the wings hoping to earn the job as well. So Rees' margin for error probably isn't as large as he'd like, but competition should bring the best out of him.

A strong performance would calm any fears Irish fans may have about the quarterback position, at least for now.

John Goodman

Michael Floyd has departed Notre Dame en route for the NFL. It's never easy to replace a starting receiver, but when he had enough ability to become a first-round pick, it's basically impossible. That's the task the coaching staff faces.

Tight end Tyler Eifert, who was second on the team in receiving last season, should ease the pain a little bit. The Irish still need somebody to help stretch the field, however, and Goodman will get every opportunity to claim the job.

The senior has only caught 28 passes in his first three seasons. That said, he has a good chance to thrive with more playing time. He must earn it starting in the Blue-Gold game, though.

Kapron Lewis-Moore

Notre Dame's biggest concern on defense will be generating pressure on the quarterback. The team's secondary should have no trouble shutting down opposing passing attacks as long as they get some help up front.

It starts with Kapron Lewis-Moore. Another senior, he's totaled just 3.5 sacks during his career as a rotation player, but is now expected to step into the starting lineup. There isn't a lot of experience behind him on the depth chart either, so the Irish are relying on him to step up.

He has prototypical size and speed to make an impact, now he just needs to translate that into results. A spring game against the Fighting Irish's veteran offensive line will help him understand what it will take.