First look Ishaq, Lynch, Golson from Irish Illustrated on Vimeo.
It's always good to get a look at some of the instant impact freshmen who are coming in to Notre Dame. First the video has #1 Ishaq Williams who will get a chance to crack the 2 deep at outside linebacker. Ishaq looks the part as he has the size of a college player already and at 6-5, 242 pound he doesn't have much growing to do. Just a hunch but I think we will see a lot of Ishaq this fall starting with the season opener against South Florida.
#19 Aaron Lynch also passes the eyeball test. Physically he is 6-6, 260 pound and the defensive end will put on some more weight and strength as spring progresses. I can see him being a solid backup to Kapron Lewis-Moore and Ethan Johnson this fall at the end position and picking up a half dozen sacks in passing situations.
#5 Everett Golson is basically the 4th string QB right now. The 6-0, 180 pound QB brings back fond memories of Tony Rice. He's got some time to learn the offense and I could definitely see Brian Kelly putting in some plays specifically designed for Golson to spread out the offense and make it run a little east-to-west while doing some quick reads.
All 3 of these freshmen have a chance to make some sort of impact for the Fighting Irish in 2011. I'd expect to see Ishaq and Lynch almost immediately in the season opener where Bob Diaco likes to get fresh bodies rotated in the defense. Both are speed guys who could make a future NFL living getting to the quarterback. Golson could be a while till we see him play but I would think Kelly has something up his sleeve. Right now Dayne Crist who is coming back from yet another knee surgery will probably be the starter with Tommy Rees and Andrew Hendrix backing him up. Golson brings a good mixture of speed, athleticism, and quick release that puts him in a different category than the other 3 QB's. His inexperience though at the college level will take time and I wouldn't be shocked at all to see him redshirt if and it's a big if Dayne can make it through the whole season healthy.
Go to IrishIllustrated.com for more spring practice updates.
