Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com PRESEASON 2020 27 late July that could sideline him eight to 12 weeks. Aligned in the boundary spot that has produced three NFL picks the past three years, the 6-2, 210-pound Austin was projected by second-round pick Chase Claypool this spring as Notre Dame's next star pass catcher. He possesses the best combination of size, speed and strength among the current wideouts, which is vi- tal after losing 150 catches for 2,008 yards and 23 touchdowns from the Claypool, Finke and Cole Kmet trio from last year. 11. OT ROBERT HAINSEY Hainsey, a senior who has manned a critical position since the end of 2017, allowed zero sacks and two quarterback hits in 252 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus. A leg injury Nov. 2 against Virginia Tech ended his season, but he was named Notre Dame's Offensive Lineman of the Year. Though he is light for his position (6-4, 295 pounds), Hainsey is a high- level athlete and has impressive flu- idity. He enters the season with some NFL discussion and can solidify his draft status with another stellar year in pass protection. 10. MLB DREW WHITE While featuring a series on the "most unheralded star" from each of its preseason top 25 teams, ESPN selected White as the Notre Dame representative. They nailed it. The first-time starter worked through some early wrong assign- ments in 2019, but his improvement showed during Notre Dame's 6-0 fin- ish while tying for the team lead in tackles (80, eight for loss). The senior does not possess proto- type NFL middle linebacker size, but his value to the 2020 defense with his aggression, instincts and experience makes him a focal figure at a promi- nent position of leadership. 9. WR BRADEN LENZY Notre Dame's best home-run hit- ter was its third-leading rusher de- spite carrying the ball just 13 times in 2019. He averaged 18.9 yards on his 24 touches on offense. Lenzy is in line for a snap count bump as a result of personnel losses, but also because he appeared to have put earlier instances of swimming up- stream behind him after a strong fin- ish. He had 298 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in Notre Dame's last six games. The more the junior touches the ball, the more explosive Notre Dame's offense becomes. Fifth-year senior defensive end Daelin Hayes returns with more career tackles (78), tackles for loss (14.5) and sacks (6.0) than anyone along this year's defen- sive line. PHOTO BY ANDRIS VISOCKIS 8. DE DAELIN HAYES No Notre Dame team that ever vied for a national title lacked a dominant edge player. The 6-4, 270-pound Hayes returns with more career tackles (78), tackles for loss (14.5) and sacks (6.0) than anyone along this year's defensive line. He was playing the best football of his career — until a torn labrum against Virginia sidelined him and resulted in a medical redshirt. Even though the graduate student missed the final nine games in 2019, Hayes was accorded preseason second-team All-America hon- ors this season by Sporting News. He needs to fulfill such potential.