Notre Dame Football: Top 5 Impact Freshman
By Andrew Hall
Nov 15, 2014; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Will Fuller (7) catches a pass against the Northwestern Wildcats at Notre Dame Stadium. Northwestern defeated Notre Dame in overtime 43-40. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Notre Dame Football: Impact Freshman #2 – WR/KR C.J. Sanders
Child actor turned football player C.J. Sanders possesses the most “make you miss” talent on the Notre Dame football roster. Sanders has made Irish defenders look silly during fall camp. Brian Kelly hopes that translates to field in the fall.
Sanders played his Senior year for Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California. Prior to his Senior year, he played for Brentwood Academy in Nashville, Tennessee. He held offers from Duke, Georgia, Mississippi State, Northwestern, Ole Miss, Stanford, Tennessee, USC and Vanderbilt.
The 247Sports Composite ranked him as the 282nd best overall prospect in the 2015 class as well as the 33rd best Wide Receiver.
Sanders will likely not make much of an impact on Offense because of Notre Dame’s great receiver depth. He plays the “Z” or Slot position, which is occupied by Amir Carlisle and Torii Hunter Jr.
If and when Sanders makes an impact on the 2015 team, it will be on Special Teams. Notre Dame has not returned a kick for touchdown since 2011 and a punt since 2009. Sanders will find the endzone in 2015, most likely on a punt return. His returns can spark the Irish offense and give the team great momentum.
Next: #1 Impact Freshman