Notre Dame Spring Practice: A Look at the Offensive Backfield

Late in 2010, many things came into focus for the Fighting Irish. Suddenly tackling was no longer an issue. Cornerbacks could cover. Safeties weren't terribly out of position. Passes could be caught by players other than Kyle Rudolph. The offensive line could give a young inexperienced quarterback time to throw while also opening up running lanes. The defensive line could stop the run.

A 4-0 finish over Utah, Army, USC and Miami turned a dismal spring into a joyous winter.

Making the dark-of-late winter around Notre Dame seem even more cheery was a series of recruiting coups that brought a host of new play makers and solid players into the fold. Fortunes certainly seemed to be rising on a rocket like trajectory.

As if to re-ground us all just as Spring Practice was to begin, all-everything WR Michael Floyd was arrested on DUI charges and suspended indefinitely. Though certain to play in 2011, it did remind us all that there are still questions to be answered.

As spring descends upon South Bend, there are concerns in the defensive backfield where Bennett Jackson and Austin Colinsworth are transitioning from receiver and young incoming freshman have not yet arrived.

The largest concern is undoubtedly the most fearful—the offensive backfield.

With the departure of Armando Allen and Robert Hughes, the returning backs are thin. Cierre Wood and Jonas Gray are far and away the one-two punch that is expected to be the most potent to grace the blue and gold since Bettis and Brooks, but behind them is now officially a chasm.

Promising sophomore-to-be Cameron Roberson's knee let out a frightful pop as it twisted under during only the third practice of the spring. The injury's extend is as of yet undiagnosed, but as head coach Brian Kelly stated “We didn't like the way it looked. Generally, when you get a knee (injury), you know if it’s a hyperextension or a bruise. They need to send him for an MRI, so I never like hearing that news.”

When practice No. 4 begins today there will be only two scholarship running backs in camp.

That number will be bolstered come summer when Kelly welcomes George Atkinson III and Cam McDaniel to the fold.

The other half of the Notre Dame backfield, one who faced the lack of depth scenario last spring is the quarterback.

The question at QB is much different this year, as two players return with substantial experience and two are viewed as "perfect" for running Brian Kelly's spread gun offense.

Everybody's buzz QB has to be Andrew Hendrix. He is fast, mobile and has a cannon for an arm. He will be a sophomore with four years of eligibility remaining. Kelly's future plans for Hendrix last year kept him from joining Nate Montana and Tommy Rees in backing up Crist, virtually receiving the "Gold Shirt" (Notre Dame's unofficial "Red Shirt" year).

Joining Hendrix in the exciting but unknown category is incoming freshman Everett Gholston. Another spread-built player he possesses good foot-speed with a good arm and quick decision making. He was targeted as a player who could be too system perfect to keep off the field.

Returning from his second knee surgery int as many years is incumbent starter Dayne Crist. The biggest questions to Crist's future lie in how he bounces back from his injury. If he is right, he certainly has a leg up to emerge camp as the starter. surprising everyone for the second straight year, Crist completed a six month rehab in 4.5 and managed to be on the field for spring practice.

The wild card is now wearing No. 11, an undersized kid with the least physical tools among the four in Tommy Rees. Had it not been for Hendrix saving a year of eligibility last year, it is questionable if Rees ever sees the field. As it was Rees threw for over 1100 yards in five games, completed 61 percent of his passes, and connected on 12 touchdowns against eight interceptions.

The four headed monster that is the quarterback competition will be splitting reps equally this spring. They will be evaluated on progressions as well as completions, to better demonstrate knowledge as opposed to simply physical skill. The coaching staff has gone as far as to build a camera-equipped helmet that will track a players eye movements to better illustrate that the player is using the system correctly.

After only three practices, reports are as expected. A calmer more confident Dayne Crist looks the part of the incumbent starter. Without a major surprise, expect to see Crist under center when South Florida comes calling.

Hendrix and Gholston each look enticing, but raw. Each at times demonstrates their athleticism, but have struggled with throws and with making reads. They are at this point a work in progress, early in progress at that.

Tommy Rees is burdened by the problem that he simply is in the wrong system. Not lead footed by any stretch, but more built for a traditional offense rather than a spread. His experience will keep him in the competition, as will his accuracy and coolness under pressure. His lack of anything spectacular will more than likely prevent him from ascending the depth chart to it's highest position without injury.

Rees fans should take solace in the fact that those words could have been used 35 years ago when describing Joe Montana looking up at Rusty Lisch and Gary Forystek.

When spring camp concludes, expect to see Crist atop the depth chart followed by Rees.

Watch for Hendrix or Gholston to surpass Rees by the beginning of the 2011 campaign, and begin the process of pushing Crist to graduate with a year of remaining eligibility.