Gerad Parker Talks Sam Hartman, Notre Dame Tight Ends, Freshman Receivers
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If Gerad Parker has any misgivings about his promotion from tight ends coach to offensive coordinator, he doesn’t show it. Parker is full steam ahead as he leads the Notre Dame offense through spring practice for the first time after his elevation to the position.
He had his formal introduction as offensive coordinator after his promotion last month and he spent some time after Saturday’s practice fielding more questions, including the most substantial change he has had to make since getting the new job.
“I think the biggest piece for me is starting to realize that in days off, those days off, you have to start thinking about what you're going to do the next day,” Parker began. “You can't wait on a plan, you have to be out in front of everybody. Because I think with good communication, a good plan, people want to know exactly what's happening next. So, that's the biggest thing is thinking three days ahead, five days ahead.
“And then, of course, then with leadership, there has to be a very, very calculated approach to building relationships, not with just the tight ends now or saying 'hi' to guys, you want to build a full investment across the offense, let everybody know that their relationship to me and back is very important,” Parker continued. “So, I think just the investment in people goes up. I want these guys to know we love them and we care about them and we want them to do real good. But we also care about them. And I hope they feel that. And that's been the biggest change. You've got to do that with 55 guys compared to 10.”
Sizing Up Sam Hartman
Quarterback may be the most overanalyzed position on the field, but it is because it’s the most important position on the field. Parker inherits an insane level of quarterback talent with sixth-year Wake Forest grad transfer Sam Hartman leading a group that includes last year’s season-opening starter Tyler Buchner, sophomore and 2022 Blue-Gold game hero Steve Angeli and freshman early enrollee Kenny Minchey.
Parker is high on the work ethic and leadership Hartman has shown since his arrival on at Notre Dame two months ago.
“That's the first thing, I think with anybody, a guy that decides to work in any capacity when you come in and show that you're about the work and build relationships with guys and do it in a humble man is something big to say,” Parker said of Hartman. “He does that along with a lot of our guys on the unit. So, that was the first day. So it kind of gives them an instant street cred. And of course, being out here, to come out here and be around a different operation, a different way of doing things offensively, and for him to adapt, grow and just dive into this thing with the other quarterbacks and Coach Guidugli says a lot about him. And he's done that through three practices, and he'll continue to grow in it.”
Tight End's Moving On After Michael Mayer
Michael Mayer was Notre Dame’s top receiver in each of his three seasons for the Irish. His production as the most productive tight end in program history leaves a long shadow for someone on the current roster to emerge from.
The spring roster was going to be thinner without Mayer to begin with and it’s thinner with both Eli Raridon and Kevin Bauman still recovering after ACL surgeries last fall. Mitchell Evans, Davis Sherwood and Holden Staes are the three currently healthy Irish tight ends.
“The good thing is I got a real good glimpse of it through 15, 16 practices, whatever it was for the bowl game and planning the bowl game,” Parker said of his tight end room. “And they just feel a huge obligation to the history and tradition of the tight end room.”
“The guys that are still playing in the NFL, the guys of the past that have played in the NFL and or put this golden helmet on long before I got here and will happen long after, there's an obligation we play at a high level to tight end position here,” Parker continued. “I know that. I've got the responsibility of it. They know it. And they feel it in a very positive way to make sure they play at a high level because that's the standard here at Notre Dame.”
Freshman Receivers – Long On Talent, Short On Experience
Freshman early enrollees Braylon James, Jaden Greathouse and Rico Flores Jr look the part. All three are at least 6-0 tall and hovering at or above 200 pounds. And all three have opened eyes in the two short sessions that were open to media viewing in the first week of practice.
But they’re still young and Parker says they are “swimming” a bit as they assimilate to the college game.
“Yeah, of course they're swimming,” Parker said. “And to be fair, that's okay. The great thing is right now they're starting to play faster. Play a little faster, develop some confidence, then take a little step back, and then go again. Just a typical progression. But they're very, very talented players.
“They're eager, they want to learn, and the guys have welcomed them in,” Parker continued. “So, just to come in, we just certainly feel very good about where they're at right now. And they'll continue to grow and get better. We'll keep pressure off on them and let them grow in time.”
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