Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2019 Notre Dame Football Preview
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1133608
This is not just about pro potential — although our top picks in 2017 (Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey) and No. 2 pick in 2018 (Jerry Tillery, behind two-time captain Drue Tranquill) were first- round selections. This also considers previous production, consistency and current role in the scheme. 1. Quarterback Ian Book Is Book the most talented player on the roster or the best pro pros- pect? No. Regardless, no player's success could have a greater impact on wins and losses this season. Notre Dame quarterbacks under Brian Kelly have thrived in their first season as starters — Everett Golson (2012), DeShone Kizer (2015) and Brandon Wimbush (2017) — but faltered or even lost their starting jobs in the second. No Kelly signal-caller had a better pass efficiency rating than Book last season after he supplanted Wimbush in game four. He also rushed for 280 yards. But now his game has to expand, not diminish. 2. Drop End Julian Okwara Already ranked in some NFL mock drafts as a first-round selection in 2020, the rangy 6-5, 240-pound senior provides one of the most coveted elements in football — explosion off the edge. Per Pro Football Focus, Okwara's 61 quarterback pressures (to go with 12.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks) last year ranked sixth nationally. He also im- proved as an all-around defender, making a clutch interception in coverage versus Michigan. A valid comparison is to 2015-18 Kentucky outside linebacker/end Josh Al- len, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft after returning for his senior year. Both possess an o u t s t a n d i n g first step and p l a y m u c h stronger than t h e i r l i s t e d weight. Vital to Ok- wara is becoming a better finisher. According to PFF, he had 10 missed tackles last year on 571 snaps, while Allen had just four missed tackles on 756 snaps. If Okwara becomes a stronger finisher, his numbers will explode. 3. RIGHT TACKLE ROBERT HAINSEY A fall camp knee injury slowed Hainsey down in September, but once he became healthy he was the team's best blocker in all areas. His natural leadership attributes, supreme technical skills and consistent efficiency and production made him the lone non-senior or graduate student selected among the eight Spring/Summer Workout Accountability Team (SWAT) captains. As a junior, Hainsey is on the verge of a national breakout. 4. Strongside End Khalid Kareem Although sometimes overshadowed by Okwara's explosiveness on the other side, the 6-4, 262-pound Kareem — who had 10.5 tackles for loss and 37 QB hurries in 2018 — was the team's most clutch line- man and could develop into the best all-around big man on the roster. His hands have always been good and he has very long arms, and during the spring Kareem played with a lot more force. Although not an elite athlete, he's fluid, has a good burst and a var- ied repertoire of pass rush moves. He has to prove he can stay healthy for a full season in order to make more plays. 5t. Safeties Alohi Gilman and Jalen Elliott It's impossible to separate this tan- dem. They complement each other ex- tremely well and comprise arguably the top safety combo in the country with their fearless physicality, play- making ability, all-around leadership and communication skills that are so crucial to set the back end. They combined for 162 tackles, 12 passes broken up, six intercep- tions and four forced fumbles last season, and could be to the 2019 defensive backfield what Drue Tranquill and Te'von Coney were to the 2018 linebackers. Junior right tackle Robert Hainsey was Notre Dame's best blocker in all areas last season and could be poised to have a national breakout in 2019. PHOTO BY ANGELA DRISKELL TOP FIVE PLAYERS 22 ✦ BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2019 FOOTBALL PREVIEW