Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2012 Notre Dame Football Preview
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BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ✦ 23 TIME TO SHINE These seasoned figures generally have been described in "if only" terms, as in "if only he can maximize his high-end talent, Notre Dame will be a bona fide College Football Playoff contender." JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT Usually it's the third year in a program when a player often begins to blossom from "serviceable and solid" to "stud." This group of juniors especially have such capabili- ties in 2018 after mostly playing in the shadows or in part-time roles last year. 1. Drop End DAELIN HAYES There might not be a more physically gifted athlete on the roster than Hayes, who proved as a first-year starter in 2017 he can be durable and functional. Expectations are now much higher for the former five-star recruit. Hayes flashes brilliance in practice, and the Irish coaches are working to get him to carry that onto the game field. If he meets that goal, his name will be mentioned as a potential early NFL entry come December. 2. Cornerback Troy Pride Jr. After beating out Nick Watkins for the starting spot in the final four games of 2017, Pride emerged this spring as an impact figure, even outshining classmate Julian Love. He possesses elite gridiron speed, and has enhanced his technique and feel for the game. Pride and Love could form a potent coverage duo this fall. 3. Left Tackle Liam Eichenberg/ Right Guard Tommy Kraemer One really can't separate these classmates who will be heavily relied on as first-time full-time starters to help once again produce a premier offensive line. Kraemer is a powerful blocker working at a new position, and Eichenberg has the length and ath- leticism to thrive on the edge the way all three of his first-round predecessors (Mike McGlinchey, Ronnie Stanley and Zack Martin) did. 4. Defensive End Khalid Kareem He played 287 snaps last season (about 22 per game), but was highly productive and conspicuous, registering 5.5 stops behind the line, three sacks and six quarterback hurries. A powerful edge player, Kareem showed enhanced technique and a better feel for the defense in the spring. Do not be surprised if he becomes a difference maker in 2018. 5. Running Back Tony Jones Jr. Far too often in 2017 it seemed Jones willingly took a back seat to Josh Adams, knowing the veteran was going to be the primary runner. With Adams gone, Jones will get his chance to become the lead back. He is a nimble athlete with the vision and all- around skills, including blocking, to thrive, assuming he stays healthy and asserts himself. 1. Quarterback Brandon Wimbush When Wimbush was in rhythm last season, the Notre Dame offense was virtually unstoppable, but he was too erratic to reach his full potential. Mechanical progress was displayed this spring, and his grasp of the offense also moved forward. If he can become a more stable and poised decision maker and thrower, he should enjoy a special season. 2. Tight End Alizé Mack Few pass receiving targets in the country combine size, athleticism and ball skills the way Mack does, but the problem is those traits haven't shown up nearly enough for the senior. One characteristic that has not been lacking is work ethic. If he can finally tap into his immense potential, he will become a defensive coordinator's worst nightmare. 3. Left Guard Alex Bars There were times last season when Bars was perhaps the second-best offensive lineman on the roster, but inconsistency kept him from being a regular impact blocker. With Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey now in the NFL, the Irish need the new left guard in place of Nelson to reach the "unconscious competence" stage. If that happens, Bars will be another early draft pick, possibly Notre Dame's first in 2019. 4. Safety JALEN ELLIOTT The safety play wasn't anywhere near good enough last season, and if it doesn't improve the defense won't prosper as it should. A former star quarterback in high school, Elliott is one of the best athletes on the roster, but he didn't make enough plays in 2017. Now a second-year starter, Elliott is counted on to change that on the back end. 5. Wide Receivers Miles Boykin and Chase Claypool A year ago, the Irish receiving corps failed to com- pete the way a group with its talent should, and their inability to make the tough plays limited the offense. Notre Dame needs at least one of Boykin or Claypool to become an impact pass catcher — as Boykin was in the fourth quarter of the Citrus Bowl victory versus LSU. If at least one or the other can surface week after week, the offense will thrive. Daelin Hayes recorded 30 total stops, 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks as a sophomore last season, but the Irish coaches believe he is capable of much more production this fall. PHOTO BY ANGELA DRISKELL In his first season as a starter at safety in 2017, former prep quarterback Jalen Elliott ranked eighth on the team in tackles with 43 and broke up a pair of passes. PHOTO BY ANGELA DRISKELL