Nov. 21--Injuries in Notre Dame's defense has forced coach Brian Kelly to make a move he did not want to make this season.
With junior defensive lineman Sheldon Day out for Saturday's game against Louisville, and possibly longer, because of a sprained MCL, Kelly said he will remove the redshirt from freshman Jay Hayes, whom his staff has a high opinion of.
Kelly said Hayes will see significant action, averaging around 30-40 plays per game over the final two games of the regular season plus Notre Dame's impending bowl game.
"It was a difficult decision ... " Kelly said Thursday. "If we get him to 100 reps and a couple of weeks of practice, we'll feel as though we did by him the right thing to get him enough reps and enough work to make it worthwhile.
"We're a better football team by playing him."
Other notes from Kelly's news conference Thursday:
-- Senior Austin Collinsworth and freshman Drue Tranquill will start at safety with sophomore Max Redfield and senior Eilar Hardy serving as the backups. Sophomore Elijah Shumate, who has started at the position.
-- Quarterback Everett Golson (shoulder) practice "OK" this week, according to Kelly. Golson won't be limited Saturday but as a precaution, Kelly said the staff gave more reps in practice to backup Malik Zaire.
-- Kelly's name has been bandied about in the rumor mill regarding the potential coaching vacancy at Florida. Kelly joked that he will be going to Florida in two weeks after the season is over but only "to get some sun."
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