SOUTH BEND — Notre Dame football and lacrosse freshman Jordan Faison spent Thursday's spring football practice observing only.
Irish football coach Marcus Freeman said the speedy wideout plans to focus on midfield duties for the defending national champions this spring. Through four games, Faison has scored nine goals and added three assists for the No. 6 Irish (3-1), who play Ohio State on Saturday.
“It's not like lacrosse has to bring him to us,” Freeman said. “He is fully committed to lacrosse. He intends to continue playing lacrosse throughout this spring. We are making sure that our practices and what we ask Jordan to do in line with the demands we have in lacrosse. It needs to be assembled.”
Faison's job will be much lighter on the football field, where the Sun Bowl MVP is the frontrunner at both slot receiver and punt returner.
John Wagle, Notre Dame's director of athletic performance, helped plan the spring for Faison and sophomore linebacker/infielder Drake Bowen, who is a reserve on the baseball team. Lauren Landau, the newly hired director of football performance, worked closely with Wagle and his baseball and lacrosse colleagues to make sure the two-sport phenom wasn't overworked.
Bowen, who was a full participant in Thursday's practice, became upset in the 13th period and limped off the field, huddled with the team's athletic trainers.
“If the demands on Jordan are such that it interferes with his practice, we will keep him,” Freeman said. “He's hooked on lacrosse right now. Our job and challenge is to continually improve him, and the same goes for Drake.”
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Bowen, who was a standout on special teams last season and was named IndyStar Mr. Football in 2022, is not expected to miss much football work this spring.
“He's physically asked for less than Jordan,” Freeman said. “You'll see that Drake obviously increases his soccer training and then practices. That's what the game of lacrosse and (baseball) demands of your body.”
Notre Dame linebackers coach Max Blau said last month that Bowen may have difficulty traveling for a few weekends this spring to play baseball, but other than that, football is his priority. .
“He'll be here,” Breaux said. “He doesn't miss anything related to football.”
Burrow and the rest of the linebackers watched as Bowen ran home as a pinch runner and scored his first career score.
“As soon as that happened, we texted him, 'You're still representing the linebacker room,'” Breaux said. “If you want to play, go play.”
Blow believes there are advantages to dual-sport trucks.
“I think baseball is going to help him,” Breaux said. “I don't think kids these days play enough sports. Just playing a variety of sports helps more than people realize. Spatial awareness, just understanding things, ball recognition. He is doing what needs to be done right now.”
Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for NDInsider.com and is active on social media @MikeBerardino.
