Expectations for the 2017 Notre Dame football team are modest at best, but this group does bare a couple resemblances to Coach Brian Kelly’s two best teams. In both 2012 and 2015, Notre Dame relied on a very strong offensive line, and they won with inexperience at quarterback.
This year’s Fighting Irish obviously have inexperience at QB, but also again have a very stout OL, the strength of their team. So we start right there in assessing five players to watch on offense for the Irish this fall.
Senior Offensive Tackle #68 Mike McGlinchey
In the NFL Draftnik community, McGlinchey is right at the top of their “should have declared last year instead of returning to school” lists. However, McGlinchey might follow in the foot steps of Ronnie Stanley, who came back to South Bend and then earned himself top ten overall pick status. Hard to argue against that decision, and perhaps we’ll see a similar situation come April.
He’s likely the team’s best overall player, and you can’t ask for a more fitting name on the Fighting Irish roster than this guy. Kelly described him as “off the charts in terms of improving his power, his quickness, his ability to shoot his hands. All of those things,” due to the use of telemetry resources.
Junior Offensive Guard #56 Quenton Nelson
Like McGlinchey, who lines up on the left side, he has the potential to be a first round pick, perhaps early first round. Kelly said Nelson was also a beneficiary of sports science, as he’s “off the charts now in terms of improving his power from January to today.”
Junior Quarterback #7 Brandon Wimbush
He’s a 6-2, 226 pound dual threat QB from Teaneck, New Jersey, and he now takes over a brand new scheme as Chip Long takes over as offensive coordinator. Wimbush does have the advantage of a deep stable of running backs to complement the talent and depth on the offensive line. He’s thrown just five passes total in his career up to this point, but the pieces are in place for him to have a true breakout season.
He’s actually drawn some comparisons to Tony Rice, the Irish’s last QB1 to win a national title. Athlon ranked every likely starting QB in the nation and they slotted Brandon Wimbush 31st out of 130. Here’s a link to a whole lot more on Wimbush.
Junior Wide Receiver #6 Equanimeous St. Brown
Only 39 yards shy of a 1,000 yard receiving season last year, and just touchdown grab short of double figures. Look for him to surpass those benchmarks with ease this fall, as he’ll be one of the offense’s main focal points.
Junior Running Back #33 Josh Adams
Has accomplished an eye-catching 6.4 yards per rush during his first two seasons. Given his pace, and the fact that he enters this season with 1,768 career rushing yards, he has an outside shot of breaking the Notre Dame football rushing record. That’s provided he stays healthy and sees an increased role in the offense.
The current record holder? Current running backs coach Autry Denson.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV.
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