Replace and Reload: Notre Dame Has Plenty Of Options After Chris Tyree's Departure

Freshman Jaden Greathouse began the season as Tyree's backup, but he actually played more snaps than Tyree in three of the first five games before the freshman began suffering with a hamstring injury.

Greathouse was a favorite target for quarterback Sam Hartman before the injuries set in. He caught 12 passes in the first five games, with his work coming primarily out of the slot. He didn't catch a pass over the next five games, but Greathouse finished on a strong note.

Greathouse caught four passes for 86 yards in the final two games, and two of those catches went for touchdowns. 

Notre Dame can play Greathouse in the slot or outside, and an ideal scenario allows him to move all around next season, but he could easily serve as the top slot option next season, and certainly in the bowl game. 

Greathouse is a savvy route runner for his age, he has strong hands and he's more athletic than often given credit for. We saw that in the final two games when he finally got back to being healthy. He lacks Tyree's pure home run speed, but he's a legit big play option when matched up against safeties, linebackers and nickels. 

Greathouse finished his freshman regular season with 16 catches for 252 yards (15.8 YPC) and a team-leading five touchdown receptions. With a more extended role he could emerge as a big time producer in 2024.

Another freshman in 2023 that made an impact was Jordan Faison. The Florida native didn't get his first action until the Louisville game, and he went for a 36-yard touchdown in that contest.

Faison has some similarities to Tyree, and if you're looking for a more direct replacement from a style standpoint he is the best option. Faison might not run a 40-time that is as fast as Tyree, but he gets to top speed in a hurry and he's a more elusive athlete.

In fact, Faison is the one slot this season that showed the ability to make plays after the catch with his elusiveness. He showed the ability to not only stretch the field, but to do damage over the middle and after the catch in the RPO game. Faison finished his first season with 14 catches for 207 yards (14.8 YPC) and three touchdowns is impressive when you consider he only played in half of the team's games.

Greathouse and Faison serving as the 1-2 punch in the slot next season could give Notre Dame an outstanding one-two punch. Yes, it would have been great to also have Tyree as part of that mix, but the Irish offense will have plenty of talent in the slot next season.

Another player to keep an eye on is a KK Smith, another member of the talented freshman receiver class. A shoulder injury kept him from playing in his first season, but Smith is a talented player that if healthy could make a push for playing time next season both in the slot and as a punt returner.

Like Faison, Smith brings after the catch ability, but he also has enough speed to stretch the field. Should Greathouse be needed more as an outside receiver it wouldn't be overly surprising to see Smith and Faison battle to lock down the slot position.

There are other returners that could play the slot as well. Junior Jayden Thomas played a lot of slot in 2022, but he's likely still going to be needed on the outside in 2024. Another freshman - Rico Flores Jr. - could also thrive in the slot, but like Thomas he'll likely be spending most of his time outside.

NEWCOMERS

There are a pair of 2024 commits that could also make an impact in the spring and push for playing time.

California native Logan Saldate is being recruited to play the slot, and after a dominant senior season there are much higher expectations for him. Saldate hauled in 58 passes for 1,104 yards and 14 touchdowns in his final high school season.

Saldate and Faison are very similar athletes, with the 2024 commit showing the ability to stretch the field, to make an impact as a route runner and the skills to make big plays after the catch. Saldate is actually a bit thicker and taller than Faison, and his ball skills are also better.

North Carolina star Micah Gilbert also had a monster season, hauling in 76 passes for 1,105 yards and 10 touchdowns. Gilbert also made 30 tackles and picked off three passes as a safety for Charlotte Christian.

Gilbert is a bigger bodied athlete, and he looks thicker than his listed size of 205 pounds. He's a physical pass catcher that could play the position in a very similar fashion to what we saw from Thomas in 2022. Gilbert has more upside at the same age than Thomas showed.

Of course, Gilbert is likely to start his career outside and he can certainly thrive outside. When he committed to Notre Dame I wasn't sure he had the skills to be a primary boundary player, but my opinion changed on that after watching him as a senior. Gilbert has excellent ball skills and strength, and he has the ability to work the tough parts of the field.

He could thrive inside if the need arose, but right now I project Gilbert to start outside. 

PUNT RETURN IS IMPACTED

Tyree served as the team's primary punt returner in 2023, so he'll need to be replaced there as well. The good news is Notre Dame has plenty of talented options at the position. In fact, I would argue that Notre Dame could get better production in the punt return game next season. 

Faison was the second punt returner this season, and he actually returned two punts for 28 yards this season. His combination of toughness, shiftiness, clean catching ability and speed make him a dangerous slot option.

Greathouse was a dynamic punt returner in high school and could also be a legit option to take over the primary punt returner duties. His ability to break tackles, his vision and his top end speed make him dangerous in the slot.

Smith was an impact punt returner in high school as well, returning three punts for touchdowns as a senior. He's shift, is strong for his size and also has the top end speed to make big plays in the punt return game.

There are non-receivers that could handle the position as well. Freshman running back Jeremiyah Love has skills that could lend him to being an impact punt returner, as does freshman corner Micah Bell, running back Aneyas Williams (2024 commit) and sophomore cornerback Jaden Mickey.