Blue-Gold Game: Notre Dame football to honor Jaden Mickey's late mother before spring game

SOUTH BEND — Upon conclusion of Thursday morning’s Blue-Gold Game draft, Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman announced all players would wear a commemorative T-shirt in honor of the late Nilka Mickey, mother of junior cornerback Jaden Mickey.

The purple shirt will feature an “ND” logo on the front and a Bible verse (Romans 15:13) on the back. Players will then switch into blue or white jerseys before the 1 p.m. kickoff on Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium.

“There’s a reason for it,” Freeman told the gathering. “We’re going to wear it with honor and pride in honor of Jaden Mickey’s mother.”

Nilka Mickey, who battled Stage 4 colon cancer for nearly four years, died Dec. 28 at age 57. Hours after his mother’s death, Jaden Mickey started and played 37 total snaps (including special teams) for Notre Dame in its Sun Bowl victory over Oregon State.

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Mickey will suit up for the Al Washington-coached Blue team after being drafted behind only Christian Gray at the cornerback position. On April 3, Mickey was asked about battling for a starting spot after the graduation of captain Cam Hart.

“It’s nothing new,” Mickey said. “I came in with the same mindset. It’s been the same mindset. Not only competing with the guys out there, but competing with the guys across the country, competing to be the best.”

What will it take to seize the starting role?

“Continue to be detail-oriented,” Mickey said. “Focus on what matters. Focus on the little things. Keep the main thing the main thing. Be aggressive. Do what I do best.”

Quarterback Steve Angeli, the first overall pick, will play for the Blue team. Early enrollee CJ Carr will play for both sides and, along with Kenny Minchey, be fair game for opposing tacklers.

Who won't be playing in the Notre Dame football Blue-Gold game?

Among those pronounced unavailable for Saturday’s scrimmage: quarterback Riley Leonard, running backs Jadarian Price and Kedren Young; cornerback Benjamin Morrison, wideouts Jayden Thomas, Cam Williams and Jayden Harrison; offensive lineman Styles Prescod; tight ends Mitchell Evans and Kevin Bauman; and defensive linemen Aiden Gobaira, Armel Mukam and Loghan Thomas.

Seniors and graduate students were pre-assigned. There was just one post-draft trade: linebackers Jaiden Ausberry and Jaylen Sneed switched teams after being drafted by the Gold and Blue, respectively.

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The top pick at each position group: Angeli (QB), Jason Onye (DT), Jeremiyah Love (RB), Adon Shuler (safety), Jaden Greathouse (WR), Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (LB), Boubacar Traore (Vyper), Josh Burnham (DE), Eli Raridon (TE), Gray (CB), Aamil Wagner (tackle), Ashton Craig (center), Billy Schrauth (guard), Zak Yoakam (specialist).

Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for NDInsider.com and is on social media @MikeBerardino.