While Brian Kelly is keeping his decision on a quarterback close to the vest through the weekend, he can’t do that with the news of junior tight end Jake Golic‘s broken arm.
“We weren’t going to say anything until we talked to his family, but he tweeted it,” Kelly said today after practice. “That’s my life.”
The reserve tight end will likely miss up to six weeks with the injury, a loss that might not have much effect on the depth chart at tight end but does thin out one of the deepest spots on the Irish roster, especially with senior Mike Ragone battling a nagging training camp injury.
Golic only saw eleven snaps last season, appearing in three games, but has looked good in preseason camp as the work he did in the offseason weight program has helped get him physically ready to contribute. Still, sophomore Alex Welch had already been running with the second string with Ragone out, and junior Tyler Eifert is solidified as the starter.
The real question for those looking to dig into the roster is whether Golic’s injury means talented freshman Ben Koyack will be forced onto the field, burning a year of eligibility before it’s needed. At 6-foot-5, 253-pounds, Koyack has the size and athleticism necessary to help in the passing game, but he might not be ready for the rigors of in-line blocking.