Notre Dame Football Exit Interviews: Amir Carlisle
By Pat Sullivan
Amir Carlisle leaves Notre Dame as a successful and productive receiver, allowing Irish fans to forget about his original decision to attend USC.
Considering the 2015-2016 college football season has finally come to a close and underclassmen have officially declared for the 2016 NFL Draft, Slap the Sign presents its “Exit Interviews,” where we review the players leaving the program, what they’re leaving behind and taking with them, and how Notre Dame plans on replacing their production and experience.
Amir Carlisle, WR
Production at ND
Amir Carlisle’s career did not start well.
And by that, I mean that Amir played his freshman season at USC. However, after seeing the light and deciding to transfer to Notre Dame to play running back for Brian Kelly, Amir’s career quickly got much brighter. In 2013 he rushed for 204 yards, and then was moved to the slot in 2014 in order to get other backs carries and to utilize Carlisle’s speed and hands. He had an immediate impact there, catching 23 passes that season for 309 yards and 3 touchdowns. After coming back for a 5th year in 2015, Carlisle showed consistency and agility in catching 32 passes for 355 yards and a touchdown, including an 8-catch, 101-yard, 1-touchdown game against Boston College at Fenway Park.
What His Departure Means
Carlisle’s graduate school graduation means the loss of a speedy, experienced receiver who could be counted on to make a few plays every game from the slot. His departure, along with those of Will Fuller and Chris Brown, eliminates 59% of the team’s receptions from 2015. He was never a huge playmaker or eye-popping in his production, but losing Carlisle takes away another capable receiver for ND QBs to throw to in crunch time or to hand to on a jet sweep.
Who Will Step In?
Rising sophomore and electric return man C.J. Sanders will almost certainly fill Carlisle’s vacancy in the offense. Sanders has better straight-line speed than Carlisle, and brings a similar ability to make catches or run the ball from the slot, finding gaps in the defense and using quick cuts and pure speed to pick up yards after the catch. With reps and experience, he will likely become even more dangerous and productive than Carlisle was the past couple years. The future is bright for Notre Dame at the slot wide receiver position.
Favorite Personal Memory from Amir’s Career
This one is easy. Any time a player makes a significant contribution to the absolute destruction of a “rival,” that player will hold a special place in my heart.
Amir had 7 receptions for 61 yards and 2 touchdowns in Notre Dame’s
37-0
31-0 annihilation of Michigan in 2014. I’m just going to post the highlights here, so we can admire Carlisle’s handiwork.
Thus, let’s all thank Amir for everything he did for Notre Dame football over the years, and for coming to his senses after a very poor original educational decision. He was shifty and reliable and a key cog in the Notre Dame offensive machine. Whether he finds a spot on an NFL team or not, we wish Amir the best and assume he will be successful in whatever he does!