Sep 13, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Corey Robinson (88) celebrates with wide receiver Chris Brown (1) after scoring a touchdown against the Purdue Boilermakers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Notre Dame defeats Purdue 30-14. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Although Notre Dame returns five of its top six pass catchers from a year ago, coach Brian Kelly has not ruled out having some youngsters break into the rotation this fall.
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Kelly praised per Scout.com what he has seen early from Equanimeous St. Brown and C.J. Sanders, both four-star recruits from California.
St. Brown, a 6-foot-4, 205-pounder from Anaheim is working on the outside while the 5-foot-8, 185-pound Sanders of Granada Hills has impressed in the slot.
"We thought that Equanimeous was going to be a good receiver for us but we thought, maybe down the road," Kelly said. "He's ready. That kid runs like a deer.
"We've put him up against everybody and he can run past you and go up and get the football. But what I like about him the most and the reason I even brought up his name is that twice now he sprained his ankle and has been back in 24 hours. He's got toughness, too. When you get a freshman like that that has that type of toughness early on, you know you have something special there."
As for Sanders, the coach is excited about his ability to change directions without slowing down.
"Some of our guys have straight line speed but they don't have the ability to cut at full speed," Kelly said. "He does. We haven't had that in my time here, it's something that's been lacking and he has that ability to cut at full speed.
(H/T Irish Illustrated)
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