Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com PRESEASON 2020 23 receiver — was redshirted in 2019 and was ruled medically unable to play this August. Like Ewell and Adams, his football scholarship has been transferred to medical hardship so that he can still have his tuition paid and earn his degree. • Because no running back was signed in this class either, wide re- ceiver recruit Jafar Armstrong was moved there as a sophomore in 2018 to aid the position, but it hasn't been a seamless transition. While Notre Dame has clearly es- tablished itself the past three years as a top-seven to top-15 type of pro- gram, this class also reflects that an inconsistency at signing at least four- star level cornerbacks, running backs and wide receivers — in addition to quarterback development — has held back the Fighting Irish from attaining top-tier status (comprised mainly of Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State, with Georgia, Oklahoma and LSU, the latter at least in 2019). ON THE BUBBLE IN 2020 Determining the strength of any re- cruiting class is not necessarily based on how top heavy it is with starters or stars, but also on the quality depth it provides. How the following four seniors perform in 2020 (and maybe 2021 for a couple) after displaying previous "flashes" will go a long way toward determining if the overall 2017 haul is more than just average by Notre Dame standards, which means at least five players drafted by the NFL in a given academic class. • Armstrong has been hailed the past two seasons by Kelly as the clos- est back he's had to Theo Riddick (2009-12), who is entering his eighth year in the NFL. There have been enough spurts to make Armstrong the top returning running back, with his 505 career rushing yards more than the other four scholarship players at the posi- tion combined. Unfortunately, a litany of injuries have sidelined him much of 2018-19, and his meager 2.8 yards per carry last season revealed he had not re- gained form. • Jordan Genmark Heath arrived as a safety and shined as a freshman in the 2018 Citrus Bowl victory ver- sus LSU. Like Armstrong at running back, the transition to linebacker hasn't always been smooth, but the opportunity to succeed Asmar Bilal at the Buck posi- tion is there this season. He will face strong competition from more highly rated juniors Jack Lamb and Shayne Simon, both of whom incurred season- ending injuries last November. • Josh Lugg has been described by Kelly as "the Swiss Army knife" on Notre Dame's offensive line be- cause he can line up anywhere. He basically started the last six games in 2019 at right tackle when Hainsey was injured, but could challenge for a role at guard, too. He would be a starter on a vast ma- jority of Power Five teams and also has the makings of a future pro with his 6-7, 308-pound frame. • Wright was overshadowed in his own position group by class- mate Kmet, and now junior Tommy Tremble and perhaps even freshman Michael Mayer — who arrives with an even higher national ranking (No. 36) than Wright did. Wright has been used primarily as a blocker in short-yardage situations while also nabbing four passes for 57 yards and a score his first three seasons. Notre Dame starting tight ends and future NFL status have been vir- tually automatic the past 50 years. If Wright's overall game can be raised, he might have his chance as well. ✦ Graduate Impact In addition to nine seniors in position to start or co-start for Notre Dame in 2020, there are five fifth-year seniors — and one sixth — who are projected to have significant roles in crucial areas. • Third-year starting quarterback Ian Book is the only Fighting Irish player at his position to have more than 5,000 passing yards (6,118) and 1,000 rushing yards (1,032) in school history. • Left tackle Liam Eichenberg and right guard Tommy Kraemer have 26 starts apiece, the most among any returning Notre Dame players in 2020. • Although Notre Dame graduated two starting defensive ends in third-round selection Julian Ok- wara and fifth-round choice Khalid Kareem, the 2020 Defensive MVP, it has two more veterans there who have legitimate NFL aspirations. Medi- cally redshirted last year, former five-star recruit and vyper end Daelin Hayes has 80 career tack- les, with 14.5 for loss and six sacks. Strong-side end Ade Ogundeji became a force last year after both Hayes and Okwara were injured, finishing with 34 stops (second only to Kareem among linemen), with seven for loss and 4.5 sacks. • Lionhearted cornerback/nickel Shaun Craw- ford has missed three seasons with injuries, and two full games last year, but provides cherished experience to a revamping secondary. — Lou Somogyi Fifth-year senior defensive end Ade Ogundeji emerged as a force last year after injuries to others required him to play more. He finished with 34 stops, seven tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. PHOTO BY ANDRIS VISOCKIS