How Notre Dame looked in first spring practice of 2024
SOUTH BEND — Notre Dame football started its six-week spring practice schedule Thursday, giving a first glimpse of what the 2024 team might look like.
Here are five observations from the 90minute session at the Irish Athletic Center.
Jaden Mickey has a good day
Along with being the most vocal player, defensive back Jaden Mickey made a couple nice plays during 1-on-1 and 7on-7 drills. He shut down new wideouts Kris Mitchell and Cam Williams individually, to the point where quarterback Riley Leonard didn’t even attempt the pass to Mitchell.
Mickey was advantageous on a pass to Mitchell in 7-on-7, with the ball popping out of the wide receiver’s hands and into Mickey’s for an interception.
Mitchell did get back at Mickey a little bit with a nice catch over the defensive back during the 11-on-11 session.
Transfer WR Beaux Collins is here, even if he isn’t practicing
Collins announced his transfer to Notre Dame from Clemson in the winter, but is finishing classes up at Clemson before enrolling at Notre Dame. That didn’t stop him from being at practice Thursday, observing the wide receivers he’ll be working with in the summer. Collins finished with 91 receptions, 1,290 yards and 11 touchdowns across three season with the Tigers.
Notre Dame defensive backs Benjamin Morrison (20) and Jaden Mickey (7) run through a drill together during a practice on Thursday at the Irish Athletics Center in South Bend.
Quarterbacks, offense flash
Riley Leonard looked good in his first practice for the Irish. He showed his legs
a few times, running when the defense had covered all of the receiving options. That will be a key part of Notre Dame’s offensive success this season.
The wide receivers also had some good moments, specifically Mitchell, Jayden Thomas and freshman Micah Gilbert.
Personnel updates
Offensive lineman Rocco Spindler, who missed the final three games last season with a knee injury, was a full participant in practice.
Notable players not practicing were tight ends Mitchell Evans and Eli Raridon, defensive end Aiden Gobaira, defensive back Loghan Thomas and defensive lineman Armel Mukam. Coach Marcus Freeman announced after practice that all five would be out for all of spring practice.
Devyn Ford is changing positions, going from running back to safety. There were no other notable position changes on the team as of Thursday.
Bowen, Gray nicked up
Both defensive back Christian Gray and linebacker Drayk Bowen exited practice with apparent leg injuries and did not return. The severity still unknown, but both players were able to walk off the field on their own power.
Defensive line dominates
It’s common for the defense to be ahead of the offense early in spring practices, and that showed Thursday. The defensive line would have had multiple sacks had they been allowed to touch the quarterback. Notre Dame returns a lot of talent on that side of the ball, giving them high expectations as the 2024 season begins.