In addition to Brian Kelly’s opening press conference, UND.com brought us a behind the scenes peek at winter workouts.
With some footage from Camp Kelly, a few epic tire fights, and a whole lot of sweat, steam, and hard work, it’s a fun watch and good update on the team’s progress since the bowl game.
Thanks to some epic music, this feels like a scene out of a Ridley Scott movie.
As usual, I’ll help out with some of the individuals. But watch along and get pumped up for spring practice.
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0:04 -- A slo-mo opener? Michael Bay nods with approval.
0:14 -- First glitch in the Matrix. While we can identify recruited walk-on Eamon McOsker (No. 46), No. 19 isn’t currently on the Irish roster. Is that Corey Robinson in a new jersey?
Edit: Heard from Notre Dame’s Sports Information Dept., and it appears that Doug Randolph has changed numbers to No. 19.
0:18 -- Justin Brent looking good in his No. 11 jersey.
0:20 -- It looks mighty chilly from SoCal seeing BK with a whistle in his mouth.
0:22 -- Fifth-year players Justin Utupo (53) and Kendall Moore (8) work some conditioning drills. Respect Utupo going sleeveless.
0:26 -- That’s redshirt freshman Jacob Matuska now wearing No. 89.
0:28 -- And our first look at Mike McGlinchey in No. 68 flipping a tire. That’s a big kid and a mighty big tire. A very functional deadlift for those wondering.
0:29 -- Quarterbacks Everett Golson (5) and Malik Zaire (9) toss a medicine ball to each other.
0:34 -- Romeo Okwara (45) and Jarron Jones (94) catch a breather in between reps.
0:36 -- That’s Amir Carlisle (3) moving between cones.
0:40 -- Sophomore running back duo Greg Bryant (1) and Tarean Folston (25) get after it during an agility drill.
0:46 -- That’s Corey Robinson (88) working the high knees. He’s still only listed at 6'4.25" so that growth spurt we all wondered about either hasn’t hit or the roster hasn’t been updated.
0:50 -- Slo-mo tackling! This time Cole Luke (3) lays the boom on a dummy.
0:53 -- Ishaq Williams, all 271-pounds of him, works the weighted sled with Scott Booker looking on.
0:56 -- That’s Chris Brown (2) looking long and explosive coming out of a break.
0:59 -- Romeo Okwara catches the wrath of new strength coach Dave Andrews, who has joined the Irish staff from Illinois. Andrews worked with Kelly and head strength coordinator Paul Longo at Cincinnati.
1:03 -- That doesn’t look fun.
1:07 -- That’s Michael Deeb (42) nearly planting a hole in the turf inside Loftus with a big hit on the tackling dummy.
1:09 -- That’s Sheldon Day against Matt Hegarty (77) in a one-on-one drill.
1:16 -- Fast feet on Jaylon Smith (9), working the speed ladder.
1:19 -- TIRE FIGHT! This is a pretty intense drill, as Max Redfield (10) and Greg Bryant (1) square off. This looks mighty intense and features two guys that will play prominently into the future of the program.
I feel like I’m watching Gladiator or something, right now.
1:47 -- Same drill, this time with John Turner (31) squaring off with Durham Smythe (80).
1:51 -- Looks like Jarron Jones is about to get the better of Ronnie Stanley (78). That’s a lot of manpower right there.
(If we all demand it and tweet @NDFIDM, maybe we can find out who won between Redfield and Bryant.)