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Brian Kelly Press Conference: Aug. 30

News and notes from Brian Kelly’s Tuesday press conference previewing Texas.

DEPTH CHART NOTES

• Sixth-year senior Avery Sebastian is starting ahead of freshman Devin Studstill at free safety. Freshman Jalen Elliott is behind Drue Tranquill at strong safety.

• Notre Dame’s starter at weakside defensive end is listed as Andrew Trumbetti. That is followed by Daelin Hayes OR Jay Hayes.

• Starting quarterback? Well, there we no surprises Tuesday. Notre Dame listed it as DeShone Kizer OR Malik Zaire.

• Receiver Kevin Stepherson, linebacker Te'von Coney, and running back Dexter Williams are all listed in two-deep, despite Aug. 19 arrest.

• Freshman offensive lineman Tommy Kraemer is listed in two-deep behind Alex Bars at right tackle.

• Receiver positions: W — Equanimeous St. Brown, Miles Boykin; Z — C.J. Sanders, Corey Holmes; X — Torii Hunter, Stepherson.

• Linebacker positions: MLB — Nyles Morgan, Coney; WLB — Greer Martini, Asmar Bilal; SLB — James Onwualu, Jamir Jones.

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KELLY NOTES

• Kelly opened up speaking about Texas. "It’s very important that our football team gets off to a good start against Texas."

• Though both teams will play two quarterbacks, there are a lot of other things going on out there.

• Kelly said he hasn’t decided whether Kizer or Zaire will take the first snap at QB.

• Kelly said the four players arrested are available to play as of now, "but as you know, some of these situations are out of my hands." He also said there is no timetable for that decision.

Kelly said that the four players arrested for marijuana charges will be randomly tested moving forward. He emphasized that ND has a “very rigorous” drug testing system.

Max Redfield, who was booted from the team following the arrest, was charged with possession of a handgun. Kelly said he has since learned who owns the gun, but Redfield’s possession “That changed the whole situation.”

• Kelly said he didn't consider suspending four players arrested on marijuana charge because it was their first offense. Notre Dame’s first offenders are taught a lesson through education, Kelly said, before a punitive penalty comes into play.

• Kelly said the team won't arrive in Austin until late Friday night, an adjustment to the team’s normal road schedule with the game being played on Sunday. Players will have a few hours of downtime on Saturday.

• "No matter what happens, we’re running the football." - Kelly on Notre Dame's plan for Texas.

• On a jam-packed opening weekend of college football Kelly said the only other game he is aware of is Alabama vs. USC. He said that's only because he saw a commercial for it.

• Kelly said he likes Jamir Jones’ retention, which has allowed the freshman to earn the backup role behind Onwualu at Sam linebacker. "I'm pleased with ability to carry material and he has some pass rush ability."

• Kelly said Coney has cross-trained at Mike linebacker behind Morgan. Kelly said that the versatile Martini could also fill in behind Morgan at Mike.

• Kelly on season openers: "There is a little bit of sparring going on in every opener, because you just don’t really know."

• With the Longhorns having a new offensive coordinator emphasizing tempo, Kelly said the Irish are preparing for the challenge. "This is going to be North Carolina fast. This is fast, fast tempo. We’ve worked hard on that to prepare our defense."

• Kelly on the Notre Dame quarterbacks: "It’s not an ideal situation for either one of them, but it’s best for our team."

He said the Irish will put their quarterbacks in a position to succeed based on what the Texas defense does.

"What we’re mostly focusing on is what Texas wants to do and how we counter with our two quarterbacks," Kelly said.

• The Notre Dame coach said he remembers Texas freshman QB Shane Buechele from high school. Said Buechele fits the UT system “pretty good." Swoopes, he said, is a great physical talent who can throw the ball down the field.

“I can see how Coach (Charlie Strong) wants to play both of them, because they have different styles," Kelly said.

• Kelly said senior defensive end Isaac Rochell has been the most consistent pass rusher across the board. Notre Dame has a "half-dozen" third down pass rushers that can also factor in.

• Kelly said Sebastian, a Cal transfer, is a consistent performer and makes very few errors. While Studstill has more range, the veteran Sebastian has such a strong grasp of the defense.

“You want to put veterans on the field if you can," Kelly said.

• The "No. 1" jersey will be awarded on a game-by-game basis this season, Kelly said.

TIRICO TO CALL FIRST THREE GAMES

• Mike Tirico will serve as the play-by-play commentator for Notre Dame's first three matchups of the season on NBC, against Nevada, Michigan State, and Duke, while lead Notre Dame on NBC announcer Dan Hicks is on assignment for NBC Sports Group’s coverage of the Fed-Ex Cup Playoffs.

The announcement was made in a press release Tuesday.

Dhani Jones, an 11-year NFL veteran and former Michigan linebacker, will join the NBC broadcast team as a pre-game and halftime show analyst. Doug Flutie will again be the in-game analyst.

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