Notre Dame Football: 5 Freshmen Who Could Make Instant Impacts

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame football’s incoming freshmen arrived on campus over the last week, and summer classes began Monday.

With the full ensemble in town, let’s take a look at five true freshmen who could make immediate impacts on the field for the Irish in 2015.

The Irish have welcomed 23 freshmen to the mix, including the four early enrollees who have already logged their first semesters.

Justin Yoon

Credit: 247Sports

Specialists aren’t usually the flashiest members of a recruiting class, but Notre Dame kicker Justin Yoon is likely the most important rookie to suit up for the Irish in 2015.

With Kyle Brindza gone, Yoon will take over the placekicking duties. Tabbed as the No. 2 kicker in the country, Yoon will step right into the spotlight in the season opener against Texas.

“The thing that stood out was his strength and accuracy,” Irish head coach Brian Kelly said on national signing day. “He's a hockey player, as well, and gave up hockey to concentrate this year strictly on his kicking, and I think he proved himself pretty good in the All-Star games this year. But I think you'll see him as being one of the real stars in this class in terms of impacting right away.”

Yoon buried three field goals in the Under Armour All-American Game in January, including a 47-yarder.

Jerry Tillery

Credit: 247Sports

Early enrollee defensive lineman Jerry Tillery took to college quickly, standing out in spring practice and even studying abroad in South Africa recently with seven of his teammates.

At 6’6.5”, 300 pounds, Tillery has the natural ability to provide value on the defensive line amid a cluster of options for new defensive line coach Keith Gilmore. Kelly highlighted the Shreveport, Louisiana, native as an early story of the spring, praising the rookie’s technique with his hands, among other traits.

Tillery earned first-team reps during spring ball, and he could be counted on as a rotation player in 2015, even when nose tackle Jarron Jones (foot) returns to full form.

Alize Jones

"

"The Transformation" pic.twitter.com/vmwcVGc51e

— ALIZÉ JONES (@AlizeJones8) June 11, 2015"

Tight end Alize Jones arrives with plenty of hype at a position without proven past production for Notre Dame.

Irish redshirt sophomore Durham Smythe is at the front of the line to replace NFL draftee Ben Koyack, while Tyler Luatua, Nic Weishar, Chase Hounshell and Mike Heuerman could factor into the mix, as well.

Jones, the No. 1 tight end in his class and the No. 62 overall player in the country, is a pass-catching tight end. He whetted the appetite of Irish fans in the spring with videos of one-handed snags.

“He will be a threat catching the football,” Kelly said on signing day. “You will not be able to put a linebacker on him. You're going to have to use a safety to cover Jones.”

"

When I look at myself, I'm not representing Alize now. I'm representing My family, the city of South Bend and The University of Notre Dame.

— ALIZÉ JONES (@AlizeJones8) June 14, 2015"

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pic.twitter.com/Lyp0EQa1yF

— ALIZÉ JONES (@AlizeJones8) June 8, 2015"

Shaun Crawford

Credit: 247Sports

The Irish receive a definitive boost with cornerback KeiVarae Russell’s return. However, Notre Dame is still unproven at the position beyond Russell and returning starter Cole Luke.

Freshman cornerback Shaun Crawford could compete for playing time in the secondary with the likes of fellow corners Devin Butler and Nick Watkins. Even if he doesn’t crack the sub-package rotation, the athletic Ohio native is not far away from the two-deep.

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"The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more" Officially off to South Bend... This… https://t.co/ZJKYuZpN42

— Crawf (@1ShaunCrawford) June 12, 2015"

It’s also worth noting Kelly mentioned Crawford’s “dynamic” return ability on signing day.

Brandon Wimbush

Credit: 247Sports

Freshman quarterback Brandon Wimbush might not take a single snap in 2015, but the No. 3 dual-threat quarterback and No. 45 player in his class isn’t as far down the depth chart now that Everett Golson has departed for Florida State.

Quarterback DeShone Kizer, who redshirted last season, enters his second year in the system. Wimbush arrived on campus this past weekend.

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So fired up to bring in @BrandonW_7 to the #NDFam and for him to join a great room of QB’s. Time to get to work! #RedArmy

— Coach Mike Sanford (@CoachSanfordND) June 13, 2015"

“We have to prepare him as if he could compete and has to be ready to compete,” Kelly said last week. “I don’t think we have the luxury that we look at him and say, ‘Alright, you’re a redshirt. Don’t worry about it.’ It clearly is a different situation [than with Kizer last year].

“I think we have to find out what he will know when we throw it at him the first time," Kelly added. "And what he can absorb is gonna be important to see over the next couple of weeks.”

Though he may not see the field in 2015, Wimbush’s proximity to the top of the depth chart and the overall lack of experience at the quarterback position warrants a mention.

Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting stats and information courtesy of 247Sports.com and all quotes obtained firsthand. Star ratings reflect 247Sports composite rankings. 

Mike Monaco is the lead Notre Dame writer for Bleacher Report. Follow @MikeMonaco_ on Twitter.