2016 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team
American college football season
The 2016 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season . The team was coached by Brian Kelly and played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana . They competed as an independent . They finished the season 4–8, Notre Dame's worst record since 2007. Despite the disappointing season, athletic director Jack Swarbrick found the 2016 Irish to be a remarkable bunch, citing the team's "enthusiasm" and "willingness to practice".[1]
Before the season
2016 NFL Daft
The following former Notre Dame players were selected in the 2016 NFL Draft :
Transfers out / departures
Notre Dame lost FS Max Redfield and CB Devin Butler in the offseason for violating team policies.
Coaching changes
Brian VanGorder was relieved of his duties as defensive coordinator. Defensive Analyst Greg Hudson took over as the Irish's Defensive Coordinator. Kelly said, "I have the utmost respect for Brian as both a person and football coach, but our defense simply isn't where it should be and I believe this change is necessary for the best interest of our program and our student-athletes.[2]
Recruiting class
Brian Kelly and the Notre Dame coaching staff accepted 23 commitments for the 2016 recruiting cycle, including two 5-stars: Daelin Hayes and Tommy Kraemer . The class included student-athletes from 11 different states, and one Canadian province.[3]
US college sports recruiting information for 2016 recruits
Name
Hometown
High school / college
Height
Weight
40‡
Commit date
Ian Book QB
El Dorado Hills, California
Oak Ridge High School
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
–
Aug 14, 2015
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : N/A ESPN grade: 79
Parker Boundreaux OL
Winter Garden, Florida
Bishop Moore High School
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
300 lb (140 kg)
–
Jul 2, 2015
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : N/A ESPN grade: 80
Chase Claypool WR
Abbotsford, British Columbia
Abbotsford Senior Secondary
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
–
Jul 10, 2015
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : N/A ESPN grade: 82
Liam Eichenberg OL
Westlake, Ohio
St. Ignatius High School (Cleveland, OH)
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
280 lb (130 kg)
–
Apr 19, 2015
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : N/A ESPN grade: 85
Jalen Elliott DB
Richmond, Virginia
Lloyd C. Bird High School
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
189 lb (86 kg)
–
Jun 19, 2015
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : N/A ESPN grade: 78
Daelin Hayes DE/LB
Belleville, Michigan
Skyline High School
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
240 lb (110 kg)
–
Dec 10, 2015
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : N/A ESPN grade: 81
Jamir Jones LB
Rochester, New York
Aquinas Institute
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
–
Jun 23, 2015
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : N/A ESPN grade: 72
Jonathan Jones LB
Ocoee, Florida
Oak Ridge High School
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
–
Feb 3, 2016
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : N/A ESPN grade: 78
Tony Jones Jr. RB
St. Petersburg, Florida
IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL)
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
219 lb (99 kg)
–
Mar 22, 2015
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : N/A ESPN grade: 79
Khalid Kareem DE
Pontiac, Michigan
Harrison High School
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
245 lb (111 kg)
–
Oct 23, 2015
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : N/A ESPN grade: 83
Tommy Kraemer OL
Cincinnati, Ohio
Elder High School
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
310 lb (140 kg)
–
Oct 4, 2014
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : N/A ESPN grade: 83
Julian Love DB
Westchester, Illinois
Nazareth Academy
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
–-
Mar 21, 2015
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : N/A ESPN grade: 79
Deon McIntosh RB
Pompano Beach, Florida
Cardinal Gibbons High School
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
–
Nov 16, 2015
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : N/A ESPN grade: 79
Javon McKinley WR
Corona, California
Centennial High School
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
–
Jan 9, 2016
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : N/A ESPN grade: 79
D. J. Morgan DB
Norwalk, California
St. John Bosco High School
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
–
Sep 27, 2015
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : N/A ESPN grade: 79
Adetokunbo Ogundeji DE
West Bloomfield, Michigan
Walled Lake Central High School
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
216 lb (98 kg)
–
Jul 16, 2015
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : N/A ESPN grade: 78
Julian Okwara DE
Charlotte, North Carolina
Ardrey Kell High School
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
216 lb (98 kg)
–
Apr 14, 2015
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : N/A ESPN grade: 80
Spencer Perry DB
Newnan, Georgia
IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL)
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
204 lb (93 kg)
–
Jun 29, 2015
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : N/A ESPN grade: 80
Troy Pride DB
Greer, South Carolina
Greer High School
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
–
Dec 24, 2015
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : N/A ESPN grade: 73
John Shannon LS
Lake Forest, Illinois
Loyola Academy
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
–
Mar 21, 2015
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : N/A ESPN grade: 68
Kevin Stepherson WR
Jacksonville, Florida
First Coast High School
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
171 lb (78 kg)
–
Jun 18, 2015
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : N/A ESPN grade: 78
Devin Studstill DB
Riviera Beach, Florida
Palm Beach Garden High School
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
189 lb (86 kg)
–
Dec 15, 2015
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : N/A ESPN grade: 77
Donte Vaughn DB
Memphis, Tennessee
Whitehaven High School
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
–
Oct 12, 2015
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : N/A ESPN grade: 80
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout : 13 Rivals : 12 ESPN : 16
‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
Note : In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.
Sources:
Personnel
Coaching staff
Roster
2016 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team roster
Quarterbacks
Running backs
2 Dexter Williams – sophomore (5'11, 210)
11 Justin Brent – junior (6'1, 220)
25 Tarean Folston – senior (5'9, 214)
28 Austin Ross – senior (5'10, 206)
33 Josh Adams – sophomore (6'1, 219)
34 Tony Jones Jr. – freshman
38 Deon McIntosh – freshman
46 Josh Anderson – graduate student (5'9, 205)
49 Bailey Ross – senior (5'10, 202)
Wide receivers
3 C. J. Sanders – sophomore (5'8, 185)
6 Equanimeous St. Brown – sophomore (6'4, 205)
15 Corey Holmes – junior (6'0, 190)
16 Torii Hunter Jr. – senior (6'0, 195)
26 Austin Webster – junior (5'11, 195)
27 Chris Finke – sophomore (5'9, 175)
29 Kevin Stepherson – freshman (6'0, 181)
35 Grant Hammann – junior (6'0, 192)
37 Omar Hunter – senior (5'9, 195)
81 Miles Boykin – sophomore (6'3, 225)
83 Chase Claypool – freshman
86 Javon McKinley – freshman
87 Keenan Centlivre – junior (6'5, 225)
89 Buster Sheridan – senior (6'3, 200)
Tight ends
10 Alize Jones – sophomore (6'4, 240)
80 Durham Smythe – senior (6'4, 245)
82 Nic Weishar – junior (6'4, 245)
84 Ben Suttman – senior (6'2, 240)
89 Jacob Matuska – senior (6'4, 275)
Punters
80 Tyler Newsome – junior (6'2, 210) (+K)
Offensive Lineman
50 Parker Boudreaux – freshman
53 Sam Mustipher – junior (6'2, 305)
56 Quenton Nelson – junior (6'5, 325)
57 Trevor Ruhland – sophomore (6'3, 300)
62 Colin McGovern – senior (6'4, 315)
63 Sam Bush – junior (6'3, 305)
66 Tristen Hoge – sophomore (6'4, 300)
67 Jimmy Byrne – junior (6'4, 300)
68 Mike McGlinchey – senior (6'7, 310)
69 Logan Plantz – sophomore (6'2, 310)
70 Hunter Bivin – senior (6'5, 308)
71 Alex Bars – junior (6'6, 320)
74 Liam Eichenberg – freshman
75 Mark Harrell – graduate student (6'4, 306)
78 Tommy Kraemer – freshman
Defensive Lineman
9 Daelin Hayes – freshman (6'3, 257)
42 Julian Okwara – freshman
53 Khalid Kareem – freshman (6'3, 270)
54 Lincoln Feist – sophomore (6'2, 315)
55 Jonathan Bonner – junior (6'3, 286)
58 Elijah Taylor – sophomore (6'3, 285)
60 John Montelus – senior (6'4, 310)
64 Ryan Kilander – junior (6'0, 310)
75 Daniel Cage – junior (6'1, 315)
77 Brandon Tiassum – sophomore (6'3, 302)
90 Isaac Rochell – senior (6'3, 290)
92 Grant Blankenship – junior (6'5, 278)
93 Jay Hayes – junior (6'3, 285)
94 Jarron Jones – graduate student (6'5, 315)
95 Marquis Dickerson – senior (6'1, 285)
96 Peter Mokwuah – junior (6'3, 317)
97 Micah Dew-Treadway – sophomore (6'4, 300)
98 Andrew Trumbetti – junior (6'3, 260)
99 Jerry Tillery – sophomore (6'6, 310)
91 Adetokunbo Ogundeji – freshman
Kickers
19 Justin Yoon – sophomore (5'9, 190)
29 Sam Kohler – junior (6'0, 175)
42 Jeff Riney – sophomore (5'10, 175) (+P)
43 John Chereson – senior (5'9, 178)
Linebackers
4 Te'von Coney – sophomore (6'1, 235)
5 Nyles Morgan – junior (6'1, 245)
17 James Onwualu – senior (6'1, 232)
22 Asmar Bilal – sophomore (6'2, 230)
30 Josh Barajas – sophomore (6'1, 240)
40 Kier Murphy – sophomore (6'0, 230)
42 Jimmy Thompson – sophomore (6'0, 215)
44 Jamir Jones – freshman
45 Jonathan Jones – freshman
48 Greer Martini – junior (6'2, 245)
49 Brandon Hutson – sophomore (6'2, 230)
51 Devyn Spruell – sophomore (6'1, 240)
Cornerbacks
7 Nick Watkins – junior (6'0, 200)
12 Devin Butler – senior (6'0, 200)
25 Brian Ball – sophomore (5'11, 185)
26 Ashton White – sophomore (5'11, 190)
34 Jesse Bongiovi – senior (5'9, 194)
36 Cole Luke – senior (5'11, 193)
Safeties
4 Avery Sebastian – graduate student (5'10, 200)
13 Devin Studstill – freshman (6'0, 190)
23 Drue Tranquill – junior (6'1, 225)
31 Spencer Perry – freshman (6'2, 204)
38 Robert Regan – sophomore (6'2, 200)
39 Drew Recker – senior (5'11, 205)
Defensive backs
18 Troy Pride – freshman
20 Shaun Crawford – sophomore (5'8, 189)
24 Nick Coleman – sophomore (5'11, 190)
21 Jalen Elliott – freshman
27 Julian Love – freshman
32 D.J. Morgan – freshman
35 Donte Vaughn – freshman
Long snappers
Schedule
Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance 7:30 p.m. at Texas No. 10 ABC L 47–50 2OT 102,315
September 10 3:30 p.m. Nevada No. 18 NBC W 39–1080,795
September 17 7:30 p.m. No. 12 Michigan State No. 18 Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN (rivalry ) NBC L 28–3680,795
September 24 3:30 p.m. Duke Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN NBC L 35–3880,795
October 1 12:00 p.m. vs. Syracuse ESPN W 50–3362,794
October 8 12:00 p.m. at NC State ABC L 3–1058,200
October 15 7:30 p.m. Stanford Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN (rivalry ) NBC L 10–1780,795
October 29 3:30 p.m. Miami (FL) Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN (rivalry ) NBC W 30–2780,795
November 5 11:30 a.m. vs. Navy CBS L 27–2850,867
November 12 3:30 p.m. vs. Army NBC W 44–645,762
November 19 3:30 p.m. Virginia Tech Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN NBC L 31–3480,795
November 26 3:30 p.m at No. 12 USC ABC L 27–4572,402
Game summaries
Texas
Notre Dame at Texas
1
2 3 4 OT 2OT Total
No. 10 Fighting Irish
7
7 14 9 7 3
47
• Longhorns
7
14 10 6 7 6
50
Nevada
Nevada at Notre Dame
1
2 3 4 Total
Wolf Pack
0
0 3 7
10
• No. 18 Fighting Irish
0
25 14 0
39
Michigan State
Michigan State at Notre Dame (Megaphone Trophy )
1
2 3 4 Total
• No. 12 Spartans
0
15 21 0
36
No. 18 Fighting Irish
7
0 7 14
28
Duke
Duke at Notre Dame
1
2 3 4 Total
• Blue Devils
14
14 0 10
38
Fighting Irish
14
7 7 7
35
Syracuse
Game information
First quarter
ND – Equanimeous St. Brown 79-yard pass from DeShone Kizer (Justin Yoon kick), 14:42. Notre Dame 7–0. Drive: 1 play, 79 yards, 0:18.
SU – Eric Dungey 3-yard run (kick blocked), 12:36. Notre Dame 7–6. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 2:06.
ND – Cole Luke PAT return, 12:36. Notre Dame 9–6.
ND – Equanimeous St. Brown 67-yard pass from DeShone Kizer (Justin Yoo kick), 11:23. Notre Dame 16–6. Drive: 3 plays, 74 yards, 1:14.
SU – Amba Etta-Tawo 72-yard pass from Eric Dungey (Cole Murphy kick), 10:17. Notre Dame 16–13. Drive: 3 plays, 79 yards, 1:06.
ND – C. J. Sanders 93-yard kickoff return (Justin Yoon kick), 10:06. Notre Dame 23–13.
Second quarter
SU – Eric Dungey 1-yard run (Cole Murphy kick), 13:22. Notre Dame 23–20. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 3:06.
ND – DeShone Kizer 3-yard run (Justin Yoon kick), 12:11. Notre Dame 30–20. Drive: 5 plays, 71 yards, 1:11.
ND – Justin Yoon 31-yard field goal, 5:03. Notre Dame 33–20. Drive: 7 plays, 37 yards, 3:11.
SU – Ervin Phillips 14-yard pass from Eric Dungey (Cole Murphy kick), 0:30. Notre Dame 33–27. Drive: 2 plays, 14 yards, 0:08.
Third quarter
ND – Kevin Stepherson 54-yard pass from DeShone Kizer (Justin Yoon kick), 11:23. Notre Dame 40–27. Drive: 4 plays, 86 yards, 1:41.
ND – Dexter Williams 59-yard run (Justin Yoon kick), 8:26. Notre Dame 47–27. Drive: 3 plays, 70 yards, 1:22.
Fourth quarter
ND – Justin Yoon 39-yard field goal, 11:14. Notre Dame 50–27. Drive: 11 plays, 72 yards, 3:58.
SU – Eric Dungey 5-yard run (run failed), 6:52. Notre Dame 50—33. Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 4:22.
Top passers
Top rushers
ND – Josh Adams – 20 rushes, 102 yards
SU – Eric Dungey – 17 rushes, 49 yards, 3 TD
Top receivers
NC State
Notre Dame at NC State
1
2 3 4 Total
Fighting Irish
0
0 3 0
3
• Wolfpack
3
0 0 7
10
The Notre Dame vs NC State game was played during Hurricane Matthew [4] where the two teams combined for only 311 total yards. The only touchdown of the game was scored by NC State on a blocked punt leading NC State to win it 10–3.[5]
Stanford
Stanford at Notre Dame (Legends Trophy )
1
2 3 4 Total
• Cardinal
0
0 9 8
17
Fighting Irish
7
3 0 0
10
Miami (FL)
Miami (FL) at Notre Dame
1
2 3 4 Total
Hurricanes
0
7 10 10
27
• Fighting Irish
17
3 0 10
30
Navy
Notre Dame vs Navy (Rip Miller Trophy )
1
2 3 4 Total
Fighting Irish
10
7 7 3
27
• Midshipmen
7
7 7 7
28
Army
Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech at Notre Dame
1
2 3 4 Total
• Hokies
0
14 7 13
34
Fighting Irish
10
14 7 0
31
USC
Notre Dame at USC (Jeweled Shillelagh )
1
2 3 4 Total
Fighting Irish
7
0 14 6
27
• No. 12 Trojans
10
14 14 7
45
Rankings
References
Venues Bowls and rivalries Culture and lore People Seasons National championship seasons in bold