Work ethic helps give Claypool a star turn

SOUTH BEND — Jay Fujimura traveled from Canada to watch Chase Claypool compete in Notre Dame’s opener against Michigan, and since then the football coach at Abbotsford Senior Secondary School in British Columbia has kept tabs on his former player’s season on television.

Fujimura continues to be proud of the Irish wide receiver’s development.

“Every year, he’s been getting better and better,” Fujimura said in a phone interview a few days before the third-ranked Irish took on Florida State at Notre Dame Stadium. “He always pushes himself, and whatever he needs to work on, that’s what his goal is. He always does whatever you ask, like special teams. I’m glad to see it’s all paying off for him.”

The 6-foot-4, 227-pound Claypool has played on special teams for the Irish, but his main responsibility is catching the ball. The junior had a season-high 130 receiving yards in last week’s win at Northwestern.

“The game plan set me up for that,” Claypool said after the game. “I didn’t know I’d have this many opportunities to make those plays, but going into the game, you always want to feel like you’re going to play a big role in the game.”

Claypool had a different quarterback throwing passes Saturday night against the Seminoles. Brandon Wimbush started in place of Ian Book, who suffered a rib injury against the Wildcats.

Claypool is one of three Notre Dame wide receivers with at least 30 catches. Miles Boykin entered Saturday with 40 receptions for 642 yards and seven touchdowns. Claypool was next with 36 catches for 448 yards and three touchdowns. Chris Finke was third with 32 catches for 383 yards and one touchdown.

Claypool has already surpassed his statistics from 2017.

“He has really ascended this year,” Irish coach Brian Kelly said. “His maturity has allowed that growth, in everything that he’s done. His work ethic, the way that he practices.

“Anybody that has been around the game knows that the great players are great practice players. The way he practices now carries over to the way he plays.”

Last week against the Wildcats, he made catches at key moments of the game.

One example came in the fourth quarter. Notre Dame had a three-point lead and the ball at its 11 as it started a drive. Book threw a short pass to Claypool, who broke one tackle and picked up a few more yards before getting pushed out of bounds.

The 21-yard play gave the Irish breathing room and set in motion a crucial scoring drive.