If you are under the age of 30, odds are you might now know the pure joy of running to a bookstore in the summer and buying every college football preview magazine you can get your hands on to get ready for the upcoming season. Â The rise blogs and digital content has taken away some of that fun, but not for me. Â I still love the pre-season football magazines and pick up a few each year. Â The NDInsider Season preview might become a fixture in that mix.
Tyler James at NDInsider/South Bend Tribune hooked up a copy of this year’s magazine and it did not disappoint.
Some of the features include:
- A look at Torii Hunter becoming Notre Dame’s #1 Wide Receiver
- 3-Star recruits who have out-performed their ratings
- A profile of MIKE Nyles Morgan explaining how late-night film sessions have helped the junior LB
- Freshman profiles
- Position analysis for all positions
- Staff season predictions
- Much more
One section I particularly liked was Eric Hansen’s piece on reconstructing the Notre Dame secondary. Â Hansen had some great quotes from Notre Dame great Shane Walton on one of the most maligned members of the 2016 Notre Dame roster – Max Redfield. Â Here’s an excerpt:
“Physically, there’s no doubt about that, you can see it. Â Now I’m there every day, so I don’t if it’s scheme issues that he’s not understanding. Â I don’t know if it’s the mental/emotional part of the game that he’s not understanding. Â It just hasn’t clicked yet.”
“Everyone is different. Â Some people come in and right away they get it. Â Other people the light switch comes on at different times. Â I think I’ve seen glimpses of that he’ll be the best safety in the nation. Â You also see the mental mistakes, but he has the ability to be an incredible linchpin on that defense.”
That is some strong praises for a player that was at least temporarily passed on the depth chart by an early enrollee this spring. Â Let’s hope Walton is right and the light comes on for Redfield.
If you will be spending any time on a beach or traveling the rest of this summer, the NDInsider Preview should be in your carry on. Â You can pick up a copy for yourself here.
