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5 Notre Dame Spring Practice Positional Battles To Watch In 2015

5 Notre Dame Spring Practice Positional Battles To Watch In 2015

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will kick off spring practice on Mar. 18, and there are several questions surrounding this 2015 roster. The depth chart specifics at running back, cornerback and defensive line are easy to predict, but other positions don’t provide as much clarity just yet. Here are five positional battles that are expected to heat up throughout the spring.

5. Tight End

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Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

5. Tight End

Notre Dame Fighting Irish College Football
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

For the first time in several years, the obvious starter at the tight end position for Notre Dame is unclear. The initial depth chart expects to be junior Durham Smythe first, sophomore Tyler Luatua second, and junior Mike Heuerman third. Brian Kelly could opt to rotate each of his top-three tight ends this fall if one doesn't separate from the pack.

4. Linebacker

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Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

4. Linebacker

Notre Dame Fighting Irish College Football
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

The top linebackers on the Fighting Irish roster aren’t in question. What is in question is who Brian Kelly will choose to start and what exact linebacker positions they will start at. Joe Schmidt and Jaylon Smith certainly figure to be there, but the third spot is up in the air between James Onwualu and Nyles Morgan. Each of Notre Dame’s top-four linebackers are can bring something beneficial to the table.

3. Wide Receiver

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Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

3. Wide Receiver

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Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame’s Offensive Player of the Year last season, Will Fuller, is returning and will be the team’s top wide out again. However, how the rest of the receivers line up behind him will be an intriguing battle. Chris Brown and Corey Robinson will contend for the other outside receiver position, while C.J. Prosise and Amir Carlisle will compete for the slot position. In any event, the Fighting Irish will be loaded at wide receiver this fall.

2. Safety

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Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

2. Safety

Notre Dame Fighting Irish College Football
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The weakest positions for Notre Dame are expected to be both strong safety and free safety. The team luckily added more depth to the position by adding Cal transfer Avery Sebastian on Feb. 18, but he’s far from an elite player. It will be a four-way battle for two spots between Sebastian, Max Redfield, Elijah Shumate and freshman Mykelti Williams. This might be another area where Brian Kelly may end up rotating players based on the situation.

1. Quarterback

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

1. Quarterback

Notre Dame Fighting Irish College Football
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The most compelling positional battle in spring practice will be quarterback. Brian Kelly has stated in the past that he wouldn’t count out playing both Malik Zaire and Everett Golson throughout games in 2015, but he’s likely hoping one of them takes control of the team. Zaire played fabulously in the team’s Music City Bowl win over LSU last season, while Golson possess a significant amount of big game experience.

Nick Wilder is a featured writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickCWilder and add him to your network on Google

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