Notre Dame football: The next AT Perry in South Bend?

With the Notre Dame football program landing the most talented and accomplished quarterback in the portal in Sam Hartman, he’ll need to find a favorite target. At Wake Forest, his connection with AT Perry was unmatched, and my guess is he’ll find a similar connection with an Irish receiver or two.

Watching the Hartman highlights from the past season (and beyond) has opened my eyes to how fantastic Sam is with ball placement. His ability to find the back shoulder or locate the ball in a spot only his receiver can reach is unmatched. Of course, it certainly helped that AT Perry was a massive 6’5” and 205 pounds.

That’s why I’m calling a breakout year for one of two wide receivers for Notre Dame football. I know, I’m hedging my bet a little bit here, but it really could be whomever Hartman connects with quicker. I’m going with one of Tobias Merriweather or Deion Colzie.

While Deion is a bit older and has more experience, he has yet to fully break out for the Irish. At around 6’5” and 210 pounds, Colzie is as similar to Perry as anyone on the Irish squad. He’s also among the highest-ranked wide receiver recruits on the roster, with the 247Sports composite having him at 102nd nationally out of high school.

He has the size, speed, and athletic gifts to truly have a dominant year if he and the quarterback, I’m presuming Hartman, can put it all together. He has 13 receptions for 259 yards and a touchdown, good for nearly 20 yards per reception. He’s the type of home run hitter a talented quarterback should often find down the field.

Merriweather showed some flashes last year, albeit on a limited basis. Still, he has the talent and potential to be a fantastic player at the collegiate and NFL levels. His lengthy 6’4” frame is another massive target for a quarterback to throw to. Another highly rated talent out of high school poised to have a huge year, Merriweather was 121st in the 247Sports composite.

Both receivers should play significant roles for the Irish next year, given their resemblance in size and talent to AT Perry, Hartman’s favorite target at Wake Forest. Still, there’s plenty of optimism for Styles, Thomas, Greathouse, and others to have great seasons.