Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2019 Notre Dame Football Preview
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116 ✦ BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2019 FOOTBALL PREVIEW Offense Quarterback: Jake Fromm, Georgia Savvy, smart leader who tossed 30 touchdowns and just six interceptions to lead the Bulldogs to the Sugar Bowl. Expect more aggressive play calling in 2019. Running Back: AJ Dillon, Boston College Punishing runner who debuted with 1,589 yards and 14 touchdowns as a true freshman and then rushed for 1,108 yards and 10 scores in just 10 games last year. A healthy season could result in monster numbers. Running Back: D'Andre Swift, Georgia Elusive runner with power, he has totaled 2,117 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns on just 293 touches (7.2-yard average). He could be even more productive after splitting carries and battling nagging injuries a season ago. Wide Receiver: Michael Pittman, USC Long and athletic, Pittman is the best receiver for one of the best pass- catching groups in the country. He is a matchup nightmare at 6-4, 225 pounds. Wide Receiver: Damon Hazelton, Virginia Tech Immediately became Virginia Tech's top pass catcher after transferring from Ball State. His second season should be even better than last year's second- team All-ACC campaign. Tight End: Colby Parkinson, Stanford Caught 29 passes last fall, seven going for touchdowns. With NFL Draft pick Kaden Smith gone, he's poised to become Stanford's next great tight end. Offensive Line: Ben Bredeson, Michigan Two-time second-team All-Big Ten performer enters the season with 33 career starts at guard. Considered a 2019 preseason All-America candidate. Offensive Line: Austin Jackson, USC Showed promise last fall as a first-time starter, but now a junior the athletic Jackson should emerge as one of the premier pass blockers in the Pac-12. Offensive Line: Walker Little, Stanford Former five-star recruit earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors a season ago, but now he is being mentioned as a possible first-team All-American heading into 2019. Offensive Line: Ben Petrula, Boston College Physical force who has played inside and outside for the Eagles; is poised to become their next top blocker after moving to left tackle for his junior season. Offensive Line: Andrew Thomas, Georgia Projected first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Thomas has the raw combination of power, size and athleticism that teams covet but rarely find. All-Purpose: Malcolm Perry, Navy Has played running back and quarterback the last two years, during which he rushed for 2,342 yards and 19 touchdowns. Defense Defensive End: Victor Dimukeje, Duke In two years on campus, he has racked up 82 stops, 16 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Expect a jump in production during his junior campaign. Defensive End: Christian Rector, USC Versatile defender who registered 37 QB pressures and 23 run stops during the 2018 season. Veteran presence will be needed after losing three starting linebackers. Defensive Tackle: Jordan Davis, Georgia Started only four contests last year, but poised for a breakout campaign after standing out at nose tackle during his freshman season. Defensive Tackle: Jay Tufele, USC Started to flash his five-star tools as a redshirt freshman last year, earning first-team Freshman All-America honors from The Athletic and second-team All-Pac-12 laurels from the league. Linebacker: Rayshard Ashby, Virginia Tech Made 105 tackles last fall and ranks sixth nationally among all returning Power Five linebackers in run-stop rate according to Pro Football Focus. Linebacker: Jordan Fox, Stanford Rangy 6-3 linebacker racked up 31 quarterback pressures and 25 run stops last fall, his first in the rotation. Linebacker: Charles Snowden, Virginia Used his 6-7 frame to lead the nation's linebackers with nine passes broken up and 11 passes defended a season ago. Also notched 61 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and a blocked kick. Safety: Michael Carter II, Duke Boasted the fourth-best defensive pass efficiency rating in coverage (minimum of 100 snaps) among all ACC defensive backs last fall, and is second among all returners in 2019. Can line up at both safety spots or corner for the Blue Devils. Safety: JR Reed, Georgia Experienced, high-IQ defender who can handle the run and thrives in cover- age against tight ends. Cornerback: Bryce Hall, Virginia One of the premier cover players in the country, Hall is a preseason first- team All-American and a projected high pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Cornerback: Paulson Adebo, Stanford The former Notre Dame commit ranked second nationally in passes broken up (19) as a sophomore in 2018, behind only Hall. Special Teams Kicker: Jet Toner, Stanford Has made 85.4 percent of his 41 career field goal attempts and all 88 of his extra point attempts for the Cardinal. Punter: Will Hart, Michigan Strong-legged figure who averaged 47.0 yards on his 43 punts last season, with 19 going for 50 or more yards. Kick Return: Joe Reed, Virginia His 27.2 yards per return from 2018 ranks 10th nationally among returning specialists for 2019. Punt Return: Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan Averaged 10.0 yards on his 25 returns a sea- son ago, highlighted by a 60-yard runback for a score against Nebraska. — Bryan Driskell THE 2019 ALL-OPPONENT TEAM Boston College running back AJ Dillon is vying for All-America honors in 2019. PHOTO COURTESY BOSTON COLLEGE FOOTBALL