Preview 2001: Wide Receiver
UHND.com - Frank Vitovitch
September 1, 2001

Notre Dame, Ind (UHND.com) - Wide receiver is one of Notre Dame's most talented and deep positions on the 2001 squad.  With seniors David Givens, Javin Hunter, and Arnaz Battle leading the young talents such as Ronnie Rodamer, Lorenzo Crawford, Omar Jenkins, Carlos Campbell, and Matt Shelton, the Irish have both the talent and depth to have a potent passing attack this season.

David Givens and Javin Hunter have been primed for breakout seasons since their freshman year, but have never fulfilled their potential.  They are seniors now and this is their last year to bust out seasons.   Hunter has the speed to stretch the field and Givens is a gamebreaker, good things happen when he touches the ball.

Last season Hunter lead Notre Dame with a 19.7 yard per catch average despite be nagged with injuries throughout the season.  He scored three touchdowns in 2001 including one in the opener versus Texas A&M.  He has great speed and if given the chance could put up some big numbers.  I don't think he will get as many catches as Givens and maybe not even Battle, but he will make some big plays for the Irish and should definitely lead the team in yards per catch again and could lead in touchdowns as well.  Hunter has All American talent and this season he should get the opportunity to showcase it.

David Givens is one of the most versatile athletes on the Notre Dame team.  He can beat you running, passing, or receiving, all of which he has done at Notre Dame.  In 1999 he threw a 21 yard touchdown against Pittsburgh to Bobby Brown.  He also had a completion of 52 yards last season.  On top of leading Notre Dame with 25 receptions, he also had 24 carries for 101 yards and two touchdowns.  He is the lone offensive captain so he is obviously one of this team's leaders.  Look for Givens to improve on his receiving numbers and become a favorite target of Matt LoVecchio.

At the third wide receiver spot is Arnaz Battle.  Battle played wide receiver in high school and was moved back to his old position after Matt LoVecchio handle the starting role as well as he did.  He will be the third receiver for Notre Dame in three wide receiver sets and will be given the opportunity to make plays on reverses and most likely trick pass plays because of his passing abilities.  Battle is another leader of this team despite not being a captain and will use this year to improve his wide receiving skills for when he becomes the #1 target after Givens and Hunter graduate at the end of this season.

Behind Givens, Hunter, and Battle is a group of talented freshman and sophomores.  The sophomore class includes Ronnie Rodamer, Lorenzo Crawford, and Omar Jenkins.  Jenkins saw playing time last tear on special teams but Rodamer is listed as the #2 split end behind Hunter with freshman Carlos Campbell behind him.  Jenkins and Crawford are both behind Battle at flanker. 

All of the young receivers possess good speed and Rodamer, Jenkins, and Campbell all boast good height at 6-4, 6-4, and 6-1 respectively.  Also in the mix is the speedster Matt Shelton.  He was the fastest player at Notre Dame's camp two years ago.  He most likely wont see playing time this season though unless injuries force him into playing time.  Shelton will spend this year bulking up and learning the offense.

Overall, Notre Dame is stacked with talent at wide receiver.  With a more experienced quarterback and a more open playbook after a conservative 2000, the receivers should see an increase in receptions, yards, and touchdowns.  Kevin Rogers didn't open it up a year ago with a freshman quarterback taking the snaps, but this year look for him to be more creative this season.