While there was plenty to be frustrated about after the Notre Dame football team's less-than-impressive win over Boston College, Mark Zackery IV stood out as a big positive.
The freshman defensive back saw the most action he has all year on Saturday afternoon, filling in for injured Christian Gray. In the process, the true freshman corner showed up and showed out as so many other young DBs have done in the last few years, especially for the Fighting Irish.
Mark Zackery makes the most of extended snaps for Notre Dame football vs Boston College
Mark Zackery IV played the most snaps he has in any game since arriving in South Bend, and according to Pro Football Focus, got the best grade of his career in the process. Playing 79 snaps, Zackery didn't rack up a ton of traditional stats for Notre Dame as he had just one tackle, but it appears at least part of that was because Boston College tended to stay away from his side of the field.
Zackery was targeted just four times, and those targets led to just one reception for four yards. That's undoubtedly a massive improvement from the last time the young corner saw this much action.
Against Purdue, the Boilermakers picked on Zackery quite mercilessly, and he allowed 6 catches in 8 targets, for a total of 93 yards and a touchdown.
Having turned heads in fall camp, Mark Zackery IV might be following in the footsteps of Leonard Moore. Outside of the Purdue game, he's been a bit of a lockdown corner when Notre Dame has needed him to step in, and it sure looks like the future is bright for the native son.