Chris Badger Transfers & Other Notre Dame Football Notes

Notre Dame Senior safety, Chris Badger is transferring from Notre Dame and will end up at BYU as early as next week, according to a report from Irish Illustrated.

Eric Hansen confirms Irish Illustrated report — Safety Chris Badger transferring to BYU #NotreDame

— Darin Pritchett (@Sportsbeat960) August 27, 2013

Chris was going into 2013 with freshman eligibility even though he was a part of the 2010 recruiting class (one that included Tommy Rees & Prince Shembo). Chris was an early enrollee in the spring of 2010, but then he left ND to follow his heart and his soul on a two year Mormon mission.

There were rumors after his mission that he would end up at BYU, but Chris did return to the Irish in 2012. He spent most of last year getting back into football shape and took a redshirt as he didn't see any playing time.

Badger was in the mix at safety this past spring, but he saw himself sliding down the depth chart as fall camp continued. There are possibly other outside issues surrounding his departure, but he leaves Notre Dame on very good terms with the university, the program, and Brian Kelly.

Badger will have to sit out the 2013 season per NCAA rules. Good luck to Chris in the future!

Here are some other notes from the Brian Kelly presser yesterday:

Ronnie Stanley is back on the field and is the starting right tackle.

Ronnie Stanley (concussion) practiced yesterday, is listed as starter at right tackle on first depth chart.

— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) August 27, 2013

A couple of other notable starters: Jaylon Smith (freshman) will start at the DOG linebacker spot that was occupied by Danny Spond, and Austin Collinsworth will start at safety with Elijah Shumate also seeing snaps at that safety spot as safety 1b.

Couple of interesting tidbits from today's notes .. Jaylon Smith likely to be 1st freshman LB to start season opener since Kory Minor in '95

— Michael Bertsch (@NDsidBertschy) August 27, 2013

Kelly also says that Austin Collinsworth and Elijah Shumate will play equal reps at safety. "They are 1A and 1B"

— Angelo Di Carlo (@angdicarlowndu) August 27, 2013

The Irish have been practicing using the pistol formation (although we are unsure of exactly how much it will be used). Brian Kelly mentioned that part of the reason is because of George Atkinson III.

#NotreDame HC Brian Kelly on the pistol: “I think it fits some of the personnel that we have. George is a guy I wanted to get downhill.”

— Irish Illustrated (@NDatRivals) August 27, 2013

#NotreDame HC Brian Kelly on G. Atkinson: "He's continued to get better. He's stronger. …He hasn't done anything to take that [job] away."

— Dan Murphy (@BGI_DanMurphy) August 27, 2013

Brian Kelly really likes his freshmen.

#NotreDame HC Brian Kelly on the freshman class: “It’s a pretty remarkable group of kids on and off the field.”

— Irish Illustrated (@NDatRivals) August 27, 2013

#NotreDame Brian Kelly on freshmen: "That switch where game week starts kicked in at about halfway through practice yesterday."

— Tony Krausz (@JGKrausz) August 27, 2013

BK – There will be a number of freshmen players playing on special teams this Saturday.

— Irish Sports Daily (@ISDUpdate) August 27, 2013

For those of you wondering about Ishaq Williams… Kelly thinks he's ready to roll.

#NotreDame HC Brian Kelly on if LB Ishaq Williams can break out: "I hope so. Everything I've seen…He's done cooking. He's ready to go."

— Rachel Terlep (@eTruth_Irish) August 27, 2013

And so now, it is Wednesday. College Football starts for real tomorrow night, and we as Irish fans are longing for Saturday to come soon so that the stench of the BCSNCG and a weird offseason can be gone from our recent thoughts.

Time to clean it up…