Notre Dame’s already questionable cornerback situation took a huge hit yesterday when projected starter Lo Wood suffered a season-ending Achilles’ heel injury, which Brian Kelly confirmed to reporters at today’s press conference.
That leaves converted receiver Bennett Jackson, sophomores Jalen Brown, Josh Atkinson and Cam McDaniel, and freshman Elijah Shumate, a converted safety, and freshman KeiVarae Russell, a converted running back, as Notre Dame’s entire depth chart.
Wood, a 5-10, 195-pound junior, played 10 games last year, and had a 57-yard pick-six against Maryland. He and Jackson are the only corners on the roster with any college experience beyond special teams play.
Even when Wood was healthy, cornerback was easily the most troubling position for Notre Dame. The Irish lost GaryGray and Robert Blanton — who started
all 13 games last season — to graduation and didn’t bring in a single
recruit at the position (two high-profile recruits, Tee Shepard and
RonaldDarby, each originally committed, but didn’t stick).
