Quick-hitters: Notre Dame tight ends coach Gerad Parker on freshmen, Michael Mayer, two-TE sets

Notre Dame tight ends coach Gerad Parker has some history with first-year Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles – as a coworker and an opponent.

Parker game-planned against and faced Knowles’ Oklahoma State defenses the last two years as West Virginia’s co-offensive coordinator. Knowles got the better of him both times, holding the Mountaineers to a combined 16 points in two losses. Parker knew he had a difficult assignment each time before he even turned on the film, because he saw Knowles’ work up close in their one season working together.

The two were on Duke’s staff in 2017, Parker as an offensive analyst and Knowles as the defensive coordinator.

“It’s unique,” Parker said. “Everybody sees it who studies and looks at the game. He has done a good job creating a lot of havoc, a lot of ways to fit you and do those things. What better compliment to a defensive coordinator to find creative ways to fit you and not make it easy to line up, to call it and ID it? It’s all wired together and they have answers for everything.”

Parker’s tight ends – led by junior Michael Mayer – will be an important part of Notre Dame’s attempts to foil it. He discussed his position group when he met with reporters Wednesday night for his lone preseason camp press conference. Here are some highlights.

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On freshmen Eli Raridon and Holden Staes seeing the field this year

“What a great job this staff has done recruiting the position, let’s be honest. The two guys are great looking kids, they’re eager, they work, they want to learn and be great, you name it. They’re all there. What are the things we have to do as a young pup? We have to learn how to do this and why we’re doing it, then figure out why to do it when.

“That’s what they’re in the struggle with, and when that pairs together enough to where you can build trust and put them out there to learn on the fly, on the grass and on game day, that will be the kicker. They’ll get the opportunity, because they’ve earned it.”

On how he has seen Mayer grow since coming back from TEU in June

“The biggest change for him is he has been a more vocal leader. He has been outspoken in a good way. Of course, his play helps that. But he has really made a point to be a more vocal leader and help this offense grow. He has done that to this point. That has been the biggest growth.”

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On Raridon

“All of it has to come together, and we’re not yet, but as far as his skill set, he has the ability to build this great base with his body. Feet are in the ground, he’s already strong and physically gifted with his weight. He’s going to be able to own the line of scrimmage and become an exceptional player on the line of scrimmage and run game. But he also can run. The thing that sticks out is he has really good ball skills.”

On Staes

“Elite ball skills Elevates and catches the ball above his head as well as anybody I’ve coached or been around. Great feet, learning how to have a good route plan. If he does that and show he can be an adequate blocker – which he has shown he isn’t scared to stick his face in – there’s reasons to believe both [he and Raridon] can be a player.”

On sophomore Cane Berrong

“He has great ball skills, really good at the top of his route and has shown that as he’s gotten healthy. I’m really encouraged by Cane and excited to see him continue to move forward as he gets healthy.”

On why two-tight end sets are difficult to defend

“No. 1, matchup issues if you detach them. When you put them back in the box, those are extra gaps to defend. Especially in this day and age, everybody is used to spread out situations where you’re in 11 [personnel], and that doesn’t count as many gaps. When you play that way [with 12 personnel], there are more gaps to defend, which means there are more gaps to be more gap-sound. When you add gaps, it adds issues as long as we’re sound.”