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Whose Role Grows For Notre Dame?

Freshman receiver Kevin Stepherson
Freshman receiver Kevin Stepherson (Rick Kimball)

Jonathan Bonner

The junior defensive tackle has seen some time rotating behind sophomore Jerry Tillery at the three-technique spot. His platoon mate — junior defensive end Jay Hayes — has also seen his role increase since the firing of defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder after a Week 4 loss to Duke.

Bonner has played an average of 18.8 snaps per game this season, including a season-high 34 against uptempo Syracuse in Week 5.

The 6-foot-3, 286-pound native of Chesterfield, MO, had two solo tackles and forced a fumble against Stanford. For the season, he has five tackles and two quarterback hurries.

“You'll just continue to see the guys that we played continue to grow and continue to get the kind of minutes that we think that they deserve,” Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said. “Jonathan Bonner is a guy that stands out to me that has really earned some more playing time. I thought he really did some good things against Stanford.”

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Chase Claypool

Kelly mentioned the freshman receiver out of British Columbia as a player whose performance is demanding more playing time.

Claypool, who has perhaps the best physical traits of Notre Dame’s receivers at 6-4, 220 pounds, has occasionally lined up as an attached tight end for the Irish. He has also been featured as a backup receiver behind senior Torii Hunter Jr. on run-heavy formations.

Claypool’s playing time has been up-and-down depending on the situation. A main contributor on special teams, he played 11 snaps against Syracuse, then just two against NC State. He logged seven snaps against Stanford and had a 13-yard catch in the fourth quarter.

Overall, he has played 50 snaps this season, touching the ball four times for 61 yards. When he’s been in the game, he’s run the ball or been targeted 14 percent of the time.

Kevin Stepherson

Another freshman receiver, though he enrolled at Notre Dame prior to spring practice, Stepherson has been a crucial part of Notre Dame’s offense as the season has progressed.

The Jacksonville, Fla., native's first major action came against Texas in the opener, filling in for Hunter Jr. (concussion). He logged 25 snaps in that game and 32 the following week in a blowout of Nevada — a game in which he caught his first career touchdown.

He played just six and seven snaps, respectively, against Michigan State and Duke, and made the most of that action. He caught a combined five passes for 114 yards in those games and a 44-yard touchdown against Duke.

Since then, his playing time has increased. He’s played an average of 29.3 snaps per game in the past three games, including 46 against Stanford, when he took over the X-position as the Irish slid Hunter Jr. to the slot.

On his 158 snaps this season, Stepherson has been targeted 19 times, catching 10 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns. When he’s been in the game, he’s been targeted on 12 percent of the plays.

“Kevin Stepherson is demanding some more time,” Kelly said. “There's some players that even though they may have not gotten a ton of playing time, their play is starting to demand some more time, which I think you'll see over the last five weeks.”

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