Notre Dame Football Spring Game 2017: 5 things to watch for

With the Notre Dame Spring Game only a few days away, here are five things to watch for during the action on Saturday inside Notre Dame Stadium.

At 12:30pm ET on Saturday, April 22, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team will take the field for their annual Blue-Gold Spring Game. Eighth-year head coach Brian Kelly will be looking to rebound off of a horrible 4-8 season last year, and will have to do it without starting quarterback, DeShone Kizer. That is just one of the storylines as the team heads into their scrimmage on Saturday, and while that is a big topic of discussion, there is a lot to improve on with this group.

Here are five things to watch for during the Blue-Gold Spring Game this weekend.

5. Which wide receivers will join Equanimeous St. Brown atop the depth chart?

In order for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to be competitive next season, they are going to have to pass the ball more consistently than they did last year. Although their quarterback had the tools to be a starter in the NFL, it did not equate to the college game, and DeShone Kizer struggled mightily at times last season. The Irish will have Equanimeous St. Brown back next season, but the loss of Torii Hunter Jr. could prove large for a team trying to improve on a 4-8 mark in 2016.

Chase Claypool is going to get every opportunity to be the WR2 on this roster, and he is a player to keep an eye on during the Spring Game. Claypool has all the physical tools to be a dominant force at the collegiate level, as the 6-foot-5 speedster should be able to stretch the defense. New quarterback Brandon Wimbush is going to need all the help he can get in his first season under center, so keep an eye on the wide receivers on Saturday to see who can be someone to rely on this season.