Rockne's Roundtable

Check back later today for a full report of who impressed us and what we saw at today's practice.

what a tough break for Roberson. The kid showed promise before the injury. Hope things work out for Prestwood whatever might be going on.

Does this mean we now have 3 more scholarships available for this recruiting class?

I agree Simm, the offense has to get in gear. Also, tough news about Roberson and Prestwood. Why does it seem like our depth always takes a hit when u think all is well.

It was a rough day for Niklas. Kelly was in his face often. It's going to be a harder transition to tight end than expected, but he'll catch on. Kelly got on him for quitting during the rodeo drill, then Niklas was called for a false start and immediately pulled out of the 11-on-11 drill. Later on Niklas looked lost during live scrimmage at times.

Great. Another Tee Shepard mystery

Don't know if he'd be going back to DL seeing how he was playing OLB. I do think he'd be of much more value playing DE though, especially with #19 gone. I really hope he gets TE figured out soon. Would be ashame to see him switch positions again. Hard to get a leg up when you are always switching positions.

Comments on his blocking ability in practice drills have been couched in superlatives. I'm guessing the staff believes if his talent can be harnessed into the skills needed for the position, he'll be a force. There's still a transition period to deal with, and a learning curve, so I think it's a little early to call this one way or the other, but I think his potential a major contributor here must have been pretty obvious to the staff for them to initiate this move in the first place.

I completely agreed initially, but apparently Welch tore his ACL. In other words, Kelly is a wizard. We need Niklas to step up in a big way.

Back in 2008, it appeared Notre Dame was overstocked at tight end. Then all of a sudden, Mike Ragone has knee surgery, Will Yeatman eventually transfers to Maryland because of a second violation, Joseph Fauria transfers to UCLA after Office of Student Affairs suspends him for the year (he's a top NFL prospect now), which left Kyle Rudolph as the top TE. The next year, freshman Tyler Eifert had to miss his freshman season with a back problem that some thought could jeopardize his football career.

Things can always change awfully quickly in football.