On October 25, 2019, Michael Young Jr announced his decision to transfer from The University of Notre Dame according to Irish Illustrated’s Tom Loy.
BREAKING: #IrishIllustrated has been informed by multiple sources that #NotreDame WR Michael Young is expected to transfer.
Story: https://t.co/x9l8dsOO71@247Sports pic.twitter.com/WtPnxgKxod
— Tom Loy (@TomLoy247) October 25, 2019
Certainly, with Notre Dame’s wide receiver core being as weak as I can remember, there will be an immediate impact. But maybe it’s not all negative.
Just A Three Star Kid from Destrehan, LA
Young is a member of head coach Brian Kelly’s 2017 draft class. While the rest of the 2017 class is making an impact in 2019, Young just has not found consistency on the field for Notre Dame.
Young arrived a three star recruit and just never blossomed into an impact player. While many expected Young to breakthrough this season – a collar bone injury opened the door for sophomore receiver Braden Lenzy to make some plays, and make some plays Lenzy did.
Wide Receiver Depth Questions
While we will never know how much Young could impact the team for the remainder of 2019, it raises more questions surrounding the receiving corps for 2020 and beyond.
The speedster Lenzy seems to be the first option, but he will need incoming five star talent Jordan Johnson to make an immediate impact. Fellow five star all-purpose back Chris Tyree could also get involved as a wing back to support the passing attack if needed.
Lawrence Keys will also need to be elevated into starting level production with the uncertainty surrounding Kevin Austin. Kelly has been non-committal on Austin’s roster status since the spring. Kelly insists Austin remains a part of the team, but will not comment when and where.
Possible Landing Spots
Young received 22 offers as a recruit. Outside of some small Louisiana universities, he was initially recruited by Oregon, Texas A&M, Minnesota and Kansas to name a few. Based on his current skill he will need to step out of the limelight. It is not for everybody.
University of Kansas
Current Kansas head coach Les Miles was long time coach of LSU. Easily, the best football program in Louisiana while Young grew up. Because of this, I could see there being a connection now at Kansas. Kansas also seems to be making strides in the BIG 12. The defenseless BIG 12 has big number potential.
University of Minnesota
A little further north, and perhaps too far from home – Minnesota sits quietly undefeated so far this season. With Golden Gophers head coach PJ Fleck on the shortlist of candidates primed for higher profile coaching positions, Young makes sense for Minnesota to target. He has continued to show success climbing the coaching ladder. The Big Ten gives Young plenty of exposure.
University of Central Florida
While graduate transfer Brandon Wimbush did not have what it takes to get onto the field – I think Young would be best fit to play on a team like Central Florida. The Golden Knights have taken a step back this season, but with the expected return of McKenzie Milton in 2020, UCF’s head coach Josh Heupel will need to find a plug and play receiver of Young’s caliber. UCF is in the AAC where Young would be a big fish in a small pond.
Farewell & Best Of Luck
Young is not a crippling loss to Notre Dame, but it does add pressure to incoming freshmen to make an impact on a very high level. I’m hopeful Young lands on his feet somewhere that he can make an immediate impact where he can be the guy.
Notre Dame continues to elevate their recruiting pipeline with a crazy amount of incoming talent like quarterback Tyler Buchner.
As long as the Irish can weather the storm this weekend, they should be fine.
